Buying laminate floor, what else do I need

helping_hubby

We're off to Floors2go to see if we can grab a bargain tomorrow. I'm useless at buying things and easily get talked into things.

Should I buy the underlay from them? Or can I (or should I) get this anywhere? Anyone know what underlay?

Also, I'm thinking I don't need one of the packs they sell (starter packs with hammer and knee pads etc for laying laminate). They seem to cost £30 which is another cost I can do without. I know they're going to flog me one...do I need one?

One last check...because it might be end of line, how much extra should I get. Will 10% be enough? I think that's what I read somewhere to allow for cut offs and mistakes. Our room is quite simple. No doors, just need a strip to go between tiled kitchen and laminate dining room. The room has no radiator pipes. We're going to use normal skirting boards.

Anything I might have missed?

mr_vampy

Hi,

You can purchase the underlay from any of the big DIY sheds. Depending on what type of subfloor you have, either concrete or floorboards, you can choose between a foam underlay or a fibreboard underlay. The foam u/lay is usually about 2-3mm thick and the fibreboard u/lay is about 6mm thick. If your subfloor is concrete, then you will also need a damp proof membrane.

You will need a fitting kit which again is available from most of the big DIY sheds. These kits usually consist of spacers, a tapping block and a pull bar. You will need the spacers to leave a 10mm expansion gap. around the perimeter of the room.

10% is usually more than enough to allow for mistakes, etc. Any boards left over can be kept for spares.

Hope it helps

hayden

Hi -the kit is much cheaper at the DIY Stores

Ask at the store if you can return any unopened packs of everything -most of the big stores will happily refund (don't lose that receipt).

Check the packs of laminate to see if they have batch codes -important for perfectionists especially but generally not important unless there is a marked difference in colour -easy solution is to lay laminate strips taken at random from three packs for example.

:rotfl:don't forget that expansion gap -I saw a whole house where none of the doors could be moved and the floors were like a skateboard park