Perimeter of laminate flooring

Discussion in 'Carpenters' Talk' started by meldrew, Sep 11, 2006.

  1. meldrew

    meldrew New Member

    Fitting LOC laminate in various rooms, but note that an expansion gap is reuired around the perimeter. I know that you can get a trim to stick to skirtings to cover this gap, but I've seen it and it looks bloody awful - especially where the gap abuts architraves for instance.

    I'll get round it in rooms where I'm replacing/refixing skirtings by simply letting the bottom of the skirting cover the gap (it's what they're for after all). In other places I don't want to disturb the skirtings - lime plaster damaged and comes off in lumps when levering off skirtings fixed into brickwork with old cut nails.

    Seem to remember that finishes like proper marquet used to use a cork strip around the outside to allow for expansion - would this do the job for laminate, if so any suggestions for a supplier.

    Any other helpful advice - I haven't done this thing before.

    Thanks.
     
  2. MOONSHINE

    MOONSHINE New Member

    Wickes do cork strips. Or get some discrete beading & paint it white. Cut under door frame. It is best to have an expansion gap across the door frame if you intend to carry through the house.
     
  3. nakedterry

    nakedterry New Member

    I dont think that is necessary MOONSHINE. I covered most of the ground floor of my house in laminate as one piece. Thats two living rooms and a hall, without expansion strips.
    The only place that I could not hide was at the bottom of the stairs and I have noticed that it only moves by about 3mm (Its been down a year). I will cover it with some beading when I get round to it but I wouldnt worry about the expansion, its totally over hyped.
     
  4. mr e

    mr e New Member

    If your stairs are carpeted you can pack out the carpet on the bottom riser, to cover any gap.

    Nakedterry said :
    "I wouldn't worry about the expansion, its totally over hyped".

    Really
    , maybe you should tell all the flooring manufacturers and specialists that, as <u>they</u> must have it wrong!!!!

    Meldrew, you are still going to see the cork strip around the perimeter of your new floor!!does this bother you or not?????
    If so, you should maybe consider the bead as already said and cut return mitres where your bead butts up to architrave to give a nice finish.
     
  5. ultimatehandyman

    ultimatehandyman New Member

    The expansion gap is essential, A friend of mine fitted it without and when there was warm weather it used to lift considerably in the middle because the floor could not expand.

    Leave an expansion gap as recommended by the manufacturer and bead around the perimiter with angle beading, if mitred correctly it looks ok, there is a small picture from a kitchen on this page-Laminate Floor Beading Just above where it says "Cutting perfect mitres simply requires patience and practice!".

    When you get to the architrave you cut the bottom off the architrave and let the laminate plank go underneath it.
     
  6. meldrew

    meldrew New Member

    Thanks for the good pieces of advice here.

    Is there a best way to trim the bottoms of architraves - I've done it using a tenon saw - but skinned knuckles and its laborious.

    I'd rather see a cork perimeter strip than some of the cover trims that I've seen - but a neat quadrant or some such sounds like a good idea.

    I'm planning to use aqua LOC in the bathroom - is it a good idea to use some silicon to seal the joints?

    Thanks again.
     
  7. goldenboy

    goldenboy Super Member

    Dont use laminate in a bathroom it will never last. Whatever B&Q say about it dont believe them you will only regret using it
     
  8. nakedterry

    nakedterry New Member

    Mr e, UHM. I have misrepresented myself. I left an expansion gap all the way round and fitted new skirting after.
    I left about 5mm on each side of the floor but when I came to the bottom of the stairs I fitted it tight.
    This has caused no problems at all because of the movement I had already allowed for.
     
  9. mr e

    mr e New Member

    That's not what you said to start with TERRY!!!
     
  10. nakedterry

    nakedterry New Member

    No Mr e.
    You will find that MOONSHINE advised the use of an expansion gap at the doorframe.

    What I said was, that I thought it unnecessary to use expansion strips at the door. There was no mention of the gaps I left elsewhere.
    My point was that I had only noticed minimal movement where I butted up tight.

    Having reread my post I can see that it could be misconstrued that I was advocating that he does not leave an expansion gap anywhere. This was not the case.

    Mr e get off my case.
     
  11. mr e

    mr e New Member

    Terry,

    This is the last I am going to say on this subject!!

    I am not in the habit of trying to read in between the lines of your post's, as you have said your self, what you write can easily be "misconstrued".

    In future when you are going to attempt to give advice or start debates, please bare in mind we are not all psychic's and try and post what you actually mean and not what you don't mean. Also don't be so hasty to dismiss other peoples advice.

    I am officially "off your case" (not that I was ever on it to start with).
     

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