laminate floor installation

[seabee]

we have an 06 RK and are considering removal of the carpet and the installtion of laminate

flooring.

Has anyone done this? What are potential problems?

[fhenn]

Walt I think Chris did this he posted it on the forum, do not remember if it was the old /one or the new one

[Hunter11]

Larry Day (Dayle1) has replaced the flooring in his 29RK. I am sure he will be along shortly and can give you some good tips.

[delqcc]

Along with all the advice you will get here, you might also want to look at the following link;



http://www.modmyrv.com/2008/08/05/rv-laminate-flooring



some really good tips and the more info the better things will move along

[seabee]

wow! thanks to all for the tips and information.

It looks like another addition to the DW's "honey do" list.Edited by: seabee

[kjones9820]

We're seriously considering the Allure flooring from Home Depot. We have some concerns about the finish molding. Anyone have any advice on the best way to secure it? The above link shows corner round butwe're wondering how it is attached.

[Dayle1]

Below is a link that includes a few pics of my conversion, not to laminate flooring but to vinyl flooring.



http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/258150



One issue with laminate flooring is the added height and the main s/o dragging across it. The second issue is all of the bulky mouldings needed to cover the required gaps and getting them to match the other paneling. Third issue is potental damage from water.



My vinyl flooring is from Tarkett, technical name Fiberflor, but it has many style names that have certainly changed over the years ( I did mine back in '05, I think). This vinyl is 1/8 inch thick and includes a layer of fiberglas so it will not curl, stretch or distort and does not require adhesive. I cut the pattern about 1 inch oversized and then trimmed to fit. It can be removed multiple times to cut or trimmed in place. Once I was satisfied, I used a flat aluminum bar against each vertical edge to make a final clean cut, 1/8 inch undersized. I used a matching color silicone caulk to fill the resulting gap. This caulk is the only 'trim' used and it plus the two furnace ducts and the front door sill are the only things holding the flooring in place. If you look at the picture of my bedroom step, that piece of flooring is totally loose for access under the step, even today it is undistorted and flat.



There are probably other brands of vinyl flooring that do not require adhesive that would probably work also. Even though this vinyl is only 1/8 inch thick, the slide-out almost touches the flooring when closing, anything thicker may be a problem depending on how your s/o is adjusted.



Another good choice would be Allure TrafficMaster flooring from Home Depot. This is a rubber laminate flooring rather than wood based products, so it is not sensitive to water. I think it is also thinner than most other laminates. It also uses an adhesive strip to connect each plank rather than glue or a complex tongue and groove lock. While baseboard trim is normal, I suspect that it could be trimmed like did with the vinyl flooring and just use silicone for 'trim'. I think it can be repaired easier than wood laminate also. I would suggest running the planks side-to-side rather than front-to-rear so if the s/o scratches the flooring, fewer planks would need to be replaced.



Hope this helps.

[seabee]

when the laminate flooring becomes a reality, I would try liquid nail to secure the moulding.

As for protection from the slide out...there is a clear plastic runner that is laid down to protect theflooring before the slidout is retracted....saw a photo of it, but can't remember where.

[delqcc]

Walt, you may want to try POWER GRAB adhesive, it has a much higher tack than liquid nail and is excellent for hold until cured, specifically when not adding any other fasteners.

Also here is the link to the protectors; http://store.rvdirect.com/rvdirect/d...p?ITEM=4410051

[seabee]

thanks for all the advice.

[seabee]

Well, step #1 is complete....i.e. the carpet and carpert padding, and linolium is gone.

No wonder this thing weighs so much.....I never saw/removed so many staples.

Step #2 starts tomorrow morning after a big breakfast...no stopping for lunch....just lots of fluids....no adult beverages until the job is complete.....sometime Sunday, hopefully.

[seabee]

The laminate flooring is installed....

Found out that camper manufacturers cannot build level/plumb, either.

And a lot of the weight is from the thousands of fasteners to hold the carpet in place.

the step to the bed area has a definite list.

will road test it today to see if it will survive Rendelvania's potholes.

[seabee]

The floor survived the road test and is very beautiful.

[rock1424]

We need pictures...please

[seabee]

wellll......I do not know how to post photos.

[lenny]

Load them to a photobucket account, that works good for me. Then just copy the 4th img link and paste it here!

[CamperNJ]

Do you have a slide in your trailer? If so, did you take up the carpet in the area where the slide comes in? I recall a dealer telling me that the rollers of the slide need to ride on carpet.



I'm thinking about doing the flooring in my rig, but remembered this roller thing.