Wood floor installation anyone??

[Guest walkingdeadman]

Well the wife and I are looking to install pergo wood floors (hope I spelled it right). Does anyone on here have any experience with installing this stuff? I am thinking I can handle the job. I was just fishing for some tips that might help me along. It's gonna be around 800 sq feet, so it's not a small job. Any help would be appreciated!! Roy

[Guest cjr]

I would like to have mine refinished

[Guest jackdm3]

Don't know a lot, but I've heard the crucial step is not disregarding the underlayment material, which I think is some thin rubber material. And leave some room around the edges so it can float and breathe.

[E4 No More]

Don't know a lot, but I've heard the crucial step is not disregarding the underlayment material, which I think is some thin rubber material. And leave some room around the edges so it can float and breathe.

Yes on the first part. if you skimp and do not put the padding under the Pergo it'll sound loud and annoying. As for the second it's not anywhere near like laying a real hardwood floor. It shouldn't expand/contract much.

[Guest jackdm3]

Here's one guys tips. Didn't know about using glue. Says something about leaving space, but I don't know how much.

How to install Pergo plank flooring

[Varmint]

It's a lot easier if your baseboard and door frames are out of the way, but that may be a little deeper than you want to get into.

Do however, take the time to go all over the existing floor, screwing it down with 2" screws before laying the new floor. It will eliminate a lot of the bounce, and all of the squeaking.

Lay the underlayment one width at a time, and install flooring until you are one row away from the edge before laying the next width.

Sweep FREQUENTLY. You'll be surprised how much dirt and grit accumulates in such a short time.

Buy a couple of the "tapping blocks". A lot less edge damage.

If you damage a piece during install, take it up immediately and replace it.

You might fool yourself into thinking that it's not "that bad", and that you can live with it, but you will change your mind after another couple of rows, and it's a lot more work then.

And last but not least, wear knee pads, or you'll regret it the next couple of days.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Varmint