Install new laminate flooring - do I need an underlayment?

[TheDanHealy]

The lady and I would like to install new wood-look laminate flooring in the 1987 23ft. There is presently existing laminate (in good condition, no peeling) and carpet (ROUGH!).

1. Should we attempt to remove the existing laminate or install overtop?
2. Would we need to lay down an underlayment? (see video Installing Laminate Flooring - Flooring - How To Videos and Tips at The Home Depot)

This is the flooring we're considering: TrafficMASTER Grey Oak 7 mm Thick x 8.03 in. Wide x 47.64 in. Length Laminate Flooring (23.91 sq. ft. / case)-360731-00375 - The Home Depot

Thanks in advance.

[jasum]

You do not need underlayment and you do want to remove existing laminate.

Also remember to leave a gap around entire floor so it can move.

[TheDanHealy]

Originally Posted by jasum

You do not need underlayment and you do want to remove existing laminate.

Also remember to leave a gap around entire floor so it can move.

Thanks!

I will leave a gap, just like the Home Depot video says. I also plan to put quarter-round down too.

Now to find the easiest way to remove the old laminate.

[jasum]

You might want to give the floor manufacturer a call. Some of them don't recommend installing in an RV. One of the floor manufacturers that supplies Home Depot says it alright to use their brand in an RV.
Can't remember which one it is........

[RedHorse1]

Troutslayer installed a vinyl planking last year and reported good results recently. I've been toying with that idea since first reading his post. A big plus is it's water resistant which you can't really say about most laminate.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...ion-36116.html

[bankr63]

I would be concerned about the extra weight of a full new layer of laminate over old. IMO I would remove the old. 2 boxes of laminate is probably 100 extra pounds of weight. Agree with PP that the new vinyl strip flooring is getting to look very good, is simple to install, and does not suffer the water issues of the laminates.

I would consider a TT to be a wet environment, and would recommend edge gluing if using a laminate not intended for wet. This seals the edges fairly well and prevents water swelling. Have done this in both kitchen and bath applications with good results after 10+ years. There are special glues available for this, but the bathroom install I did with a good quality waterproof glue (using really cheap WalMart laminate - DMIL couldn't afford anything more).

[Sundancer330]

When you say you have a laminate floor are you talking linoleum which in the old days was 100% glued down or an engineered floor like pergo.

[wags999]

If your using a laminate with the MDF board, then I would not worry about taking up the old laminate floor. I agree that laminate flooring is heavy and that weight needs to be taken in account. Most laminate flooring now uses an mdf that doesn't absorb much moisture and I would glue the planks as they are designed to move. In an RV your going to have extremes of temperature and humidity, the flooring needs to move as designed. The solid vinyl flooring with the taped edges can be probamatic as to extremes in temperature. Congoleum suggests to keep the temperature 55 and above, which may be difficut to do. Below those temperatures the vinyl will move a great deal and become brittle. This may or may not cause issues depending on the size of the floor.

Good Luck. !

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Troutslayer installed a vinyl planking last year and reported good results recently. I've been toying with that idea since first reading his post. A big plus is it's water resistant which you can't really say about most laminate.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...ion-36116.html

Thanks for the mention and I just updated the post you attached...really glad I did this mod.

[jasum]

Originally Posted by TheDanHealy

The lady and I would like to install new wood-look laminate flooring in the 1987 23ft. There is presently existing laminate (in good condition, no peeling) and carpet (ROUGH!).

1. Should we attempt to remove the existing laminate or install overtop?
2. Would we need to lay down an underlayment? (see video Installing Laminate Flooring - Flooring - How To Videos and Tips at The Home Depot)

This is the flooring we're considering: TrafficMASTER Grey Oak 7 mm Thick x 8.03 in. Wide x 47.64 in. Length Laminate Flooring (23.91 sq. ft. / case)-360731-00375 - The Home Depot

Thanks in advance.

Did you install your laminate floor??

[TheDanHealy]

Originally Posted by jasum

Did you install your laminate floor??

Not yet



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