Installing vinyl laminate

Question

Today I went and bought vinyl laminate flooring to replace the stained carpet in our camper.  I wonder if I should start laying it at the back of the camper and work my way to the cabinets in the front?

artum_snowbird · Answer

I would say you should take careful measurements and make a layout chart of your camper floor. Ideally, you ensure that when you lay the flooring down, there is no place where there is a tiny bit of flooring next to a large piece.

So, when you start laying the floor, you might start with a cutoff piece, so when you get into the traffic areas of your camper, you have no narrow pieces.

And, sometimes laying the last few pieces can be difficult, so it that is someplace where it won't be seen, start at the other end.

drsteve · Answer

Artum Snowbird wrote:I would say you should take careful measurements and make a layout chart of your camper floor.  Ideally, you ensure that when you lay the flooring down, there is no place where there is a tiny bit of flooring next to a large piece.  So, when you start laying the floor, you might start with a cutoff piece, so when you get into the traffic areas of your camper, you have no narrow pieces.And, sometimes laying the last few pieces can be difficult, so it that is someplace where it won't be seen, start at the other end.What he said. Figure out what you're going to do and how it will end before you begin.

westend · Answer

Check the expanse of the floor for square and plumb as it meets any built-in fixtures. Check overall length so the start and endpoint have a piece large enough to be cosmetically and strucutrally OK. Snap a straight line for your first planks or spacer and abutt them along a fixture/wall. There are a few online videos for installation techniques. It is, typically, an easy installation.

myredracer · Answer

Normally you'd run the "planks" lengthwise. Won't make it any easier but will look better. Measure overall width carefully and cut the started row of planks as needed so you don't end up with the last row being a narrow length.

I installed laminate planks in a previous TT and the cabinetry wasn't even close to being in a straight line at the floor. I used some green painters tape and scribed a line on the laminate then cut it with a jigsaw to get an even gap. I made our gap about 3/16" and used some wood 3/8" thick x 1-1/2" tall as a baseboard to cover the gap and stained & varathaned it at cabinetry and painted it an almond color against luan paneling.

You'll want to allow for expansion/contraction throughout and movement anywhere that it can get hung up like at entry door threshold, dinette table flanges, toilet, etc.

FWIW, you'll be working on hands and knees in a cramped area and may benefit from knee pads and a bottle of Tylenol. :(

drsteve · Answer

myredracer wrote: I installed laminate planks in a previous TT and the cabinetry wasn't even close to being in a straight line at the floor.Why am I not in the least surprised?

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Installing vinyl laminate

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