In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
BigWallop wrote:

"Curiosity" wrote in message
...
Hi all

I am about the have my first go at laying laminate flooring in an
odd shaped hallway in a bungalow.

Can anybody suggest a good diy book or web site with pictures and
instructions.

I have the general idea of how to go about it but am a bit unsure
about fitting the strips between doorway architraves etc. i.e.
cutting the profile to fit the architrave detail.


TIA

Paul



If you want to do the job perfectly, then start by taking all the
skirting boards and architrave off the walls. Start your laminate
length ways along a the hallway. Try to pick a the longest,
straightest wall to give you your first row of boards. Remember to
leave at least a 6 mm gap around the edges, even though you've
removed the skirting.

Lay the laminate according to the instructions on the packs and you
shouldn't have any real problems.

Once you're happy with the job you've done on the floor, replace the
skirting and door surrounds and the floor should look as though it's
been there from the start.

I've noticed that it's the gap around the edges of the flooring that
gives people the most hassle, so it's best to remove the skirting and
architrave and do the job perfectly right from the start. But that's
only my opinion so far.


I agree about removing the skirting boards - but *not* the architraves. With
a sharp bendy saw, and using a scrap piece of laminate (and underlay) as a
height guide, you can saw off the bottom few mm of all doorframes and
architraves, and slide the laminate underneath. Make sure that you leave an
expansion gap under the doorframes in exactly the same way as with the
walls - i.e. even though the laminate slides under so that the edge is
hidden, it shouldn't go far enough under to come up against anything solid.

The skirting board, when replaced, hides the expansion gap all round the
walls. Doing this is *far, far* better than leaving the skirting in place in
covering the gap with beading. That *always* makes it obvious that it's a
retro-fit job!
--
Cheers,
Set Square
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