laminate flooring and skirting boards

bindiboo

dh will be over the next couple of weeks, be replacing the carpet in the lounge with laminate. He has a question? The skirting is old and would more than likely break on removing so he had heard that you can router a slot along the bottom allowing the laminate to slot in.

He doesnt want to use beading as he finds the corners a pain.

Has anyone heard of routing the skirting, has anyone done it, would it be advisable on not?????


Advise please mse'rs;)

babyangel10

I've never used a router, so can't advise on that, but I have used just a handsaw and a chisel to cut enough space under the door frames/skirtings etc to allow for the laminate to go under. Much easier and cheaper than using the very expensive beading!

weekendwarrior

There is a good guide on fitting laminate, that tells you almost everything- Fitting laminate flooring

Cutting the bottom off the skirting is shown on this page- Fitting Laminate

Normally this is done with a fein multi master, these are not cheap and the blades are expensive and you would need a few blades to do one room!

I have never done this, but I have removed the skirting and fitted new afterwards and I have also used Beading. I am not sure how you get the boards under the skirting at all sides of the room, if you cut the bottom off!

Because of the expansion gap that you have to leave, I do not know how you get the last boards into position!

If you look on this page Cutting off door frames about half way down the page you will see that the guy is using a power tennon saw to remove the bottom from the door casings, perhaps this saw would be a better alternative to the fein multimaster? I have no idea how much they cost though!

Personally I would use beading ;-)

startrekker

Take the skirting off...and replace it afterwards....Skirting is very cheap

Even a click system needs to be tapped together and you wont be able to do this if you try to slide the boards together and certainly not at one end, you wont be able to get the last run in due to the angle you require for the tongue and groove to go into.

booty40uk

100% agree with Startrekker

Neil_S_3

Agree with Startrekker, beading is flaming expensive (circa £5 per 2m), skirting is far far cheaper.

babyangel10

Isn't it funny when you read your own posts back (#2)and realise how stupid they sound?!

I've never cut round all my skirtings to fit laminate - blimey, I'd have to be bonkers! I meant that it is easy to cut round the bottom of the door frames and architraves if ness- but yes, much easier and cheaper to rip out the skirtings and replace, as I am in the process of doing.

Have used beading on 2 property renovations in the past and a strip costs almost more than a pack of laminate! (from Ikea).

Unless you are near a Glyn Webb - they used to sell it for £1.99 a strip. Ours burnt down though so that left me well and truly 8ugg3red!

lottee

Agree with startrekker too! I think the whole finished look is better also, we have laminate in our front room, & replaced the skirting. But in the bedroom, we used beading, needless to say downstairs looks a better job IMO.

babyangel10

Has anyone used laminate on their landing?

If so, is there something you can buy to fit where the top stair is - like a profile trim like in between doorways or something? IYSWIM?

TIA!

P.S - I'm not trying to steal your post, Bindiboo! - Just thought I'd ask a quick Q if no-one minds?

bindiboo

gertybertyangel wrote:

Isn't it funny when you read your own posts back (#2)and realise how stupid they sound?!

I've never cut round all my skirtings to fit laminate - blimey, I'd have to be bonkers! I meant that it is easy to cut round the bottom of the door frames and architraves if ness- but yes, much easier and cheaper to rip out the skirtings and replace, as I am in the process of doing.

Have used beading on 2 property renovations in the past and a strip costs almost more than a pack of laminate! (from Ikea).

Unless you are near a Glyn Webb - they used to sell it for £1.99 a strip. Ours burnt down though so that left me well and truly 8ugg3red!

yep I live in Derby too

susieb1967

just a little note!
my friend had laminate fitted and because her skirting was painted white the joiner used white pvc beading ( the sort you get for pvc windows) this costs VERY little from double glazing suppliers and I must say it looks fab! it blends really well with white skirting.