Posted by Steve-WA on February 07, 2006 at 23:33:36:
means a lot, coming from you. Reckon it is about time I moseyed over to the main board for a spell . . .
wood laminate flooring - Posted by michael sinnott
Posted by michael sinnott on February 06, 2006 at 22:38:48:
Which wood laminate flooring have people used that is the best priced, easiest installation, holds up in mobile homes and where did you get it. Thanks.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by michael sinnott
Posted by michael sinnott on February 08, 2006 at 20:49:32:
Before I asked this question I searched the archives to see if the subject had been addressed and found nothing. I just think there is a difference between being knowledgeable and being helpful. I sincerely appreciate everyone who has posted productive advice and recognize the usefulness of this site as it has lead to 18 posts and covered even more subjects than just wood laminate. I am a newbie that just moved to VA, works 50 hours a week and has a wife and 4 year old girl. If trying to drive speed bumps when time permits, learning the process, and balancing family life is “couchness” then so be it…your insight is unmatched.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Tim (NC)
Posted by Tim (NC) on February 08, 2006 at 13:52:50:
Just to add my .02, I got a call yesterday from the sales guy at “Floors Today” about some 7mm laminate that is .47/ft. I’m not an expert but it looks good enough for me. I’ve never installed any but had a quick lesson from the salesguy and it looks easy enough that I may be able to handle it. The quarter round was $13 for an 8’ piece and and a transition piece was $24. It seems funny to pay so much for the trim pieces when the flooring is almost free.
What’s the best way to trim out the laminate floor so that it still looks good and doesn’t drive the cost.
Tim
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Steve Contois
Posted by Steve Contois on February 08, 2006 at 07:40:15:
The laminate flooring comes in 7mm, 8mm and 10mm wear layers. The 7mm works fine for investment property. Most of the cores are on a high density fiber board. In general, the thicker the fiber board, the more impact and dent resistent the product is. Sometimes the core is green. That’s an upgrade. A green board is infused with mellamine and is more water resistent than your standard high density fiber board. Most large speciality retailers import these products from China or Europe. That’ why the prices have dropped so dramatically because the markets are flooded with imports. Some of the imports are good, some are bad. I always try to buy a product with a long tongue and a deep groove that snaps together on an angle lock (20 degrees). Shorter tongues and grooves will seperate when pressure is put on the joint and are much tougher to install. If you really want to impress, you can buy laminate flooring with textured embossed finished and beveled edges. An entry level 7mm laminate for Lonnie deals will run around .99 sf. I would look real close at anything less than .99. An 8mm with all the upgrades runs 1.79 - 3.99 sf. Installation by a pro runs about $2.00 sf. Another product I really like is a sheet vinyl called flex floor or vinyl with a fiberglass core. It runs about .99 sf. Its sold in 13’ 2" width and is loose laid. No glue, and the wide width eliminates eams. Since it is loos laid, the vinyl can be installed over bad subfloors unlike traditional paper back vinyl. Its real flexible and a little over 1/4" thick so it will not rip, tear, or gouge. Patterns almost look 3-D so it looks like real ceramic, stone, or wood. Installs 3x faster than laminate. My customers love it. Hope this helps.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Gary
Posted by Gary on February 07, 2006 at 24:20:32:
Just installed over 800 sf from Menards. $.79 sf plus $24.95 I believe for 99 sf cushion/vapor barrier. This was probally 7 mm stuff, 10 year life or warranty. I’ve noticed prices have been decreasing as it becomes more popular. I’ve used 4-5 different kinds,none of it easy to install. For a low end unit I use carpet with the attached pad as it is alot quicker to install, but you may not have as much waste with the laminate depending on the shape of your room.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Steve-WA
Posted by Steve-WA on February 07, 2006 at 24:20:22:
Geez, michael, do you want me to pick it up for you and deliver it too?
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Gary
Posted by Gary on February 09, 2006 at 04:30:34:
Yeah I forgot to mention the trim is expensive.I use regular base molding but the transition strips were about $18.00 at Lowes .
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Steve Contois
Posted by Steve Contois on February 08, 2006 at 15:05:04:
I’ve got two hillbilly solutions that I’ve used in my lower end homes in order of least expense.
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Use metal trim. It runs about .60 lf at a flooring supply store and you can buy exactly what you need, unlike laminate wrapped moldings. Comes in gold or silver. Looks a little tacky but it gets the job done.
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Buy unifinshed oak trim and stain to match. 1/2 the price of matching laminate wrapped moldings but it takes 2x as long to install because you its so labor intensive. Doesn’t look as hillbilly as the metal trim.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Michael(KCMO)
Posted by Michael(KCMO) on February 08, 2006 at 15:02:42:
I use that white, plastic trim from Home Depot. Provides a nice contrast to the flooring and looks good even w/o painting if you just fill the nail holes w/ white latex caulk. If I remember right, Steve has some of my pics on his tripod site. I don’t know the address, though. Steve . . . ?
Regards,
Michael(KCMO)
that flex floor - Posted by Steve-WA
Posted by Steve-WA on February 08, 2006 at 14:36:36:
thats the Flexitec brand name stuff I was asking aobut a few weeks back - thats the stuff! I’ve seeen it, and its a winner - at the same price as laminate, its a good complement to put in bedrooms, and water areas.
Put that one in the file. Thanks. ntxt - Posted by Park
Posted by Park on February 08, 2006 at 13:13:23:
.
Great Info Steve - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on February 08, 2006 at 12:42:34:
Thanks for the great info. That’s one to keep and save for future ref.
Tony
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by michael sinnott
Posted by michael sinnott on February 07, 2006 at 06:40:31:
The intent of my question was to figure out if Sam’s Club products were as effective as Lowes and the effect a mobile homes movement had on certain locking systems. I appreciate Gary taking the time to reply. I went back and reviewed some of Steve-WA responses and found thy weren’t worth a $/@#. Appreciate your consistency.
Re: that flex floor - Posted by Flex floor
Posted by Flex floor on February 09, 2006 at 16:40:00:
I just put some of that thick loose-lay vinyl in a rental house. It looks excellent, and covered up a world of ugly. Seems very durable,and the cushion effect of the backing pad is nice, too. I like it a lot. Not sure what manufacture mine was.
Neil
Re: that flex floor - Posted by Steve Contois
Posted by Steve Contois on February 08, 2006 at 15:06:32:
That’s it. Flexitec is made by IVC Flooring. Tarkett and Armstrong also make like products.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Gary
Posted by Gary on February 07, 2006 at 22:13:09:
As far back as I can recall this is the first time in over five decades I have been the appreciated, not the blunt hard a$$ I appear to be. Thank you
(rolleyes) - Posted by Steve-WA
Posted by Steve-WA on February 07, 2006 at 18:29:47:
michael, sorry you think that my bluntness is an indicator of uselessness - if so, then read no further.
You didnt ask those specific questions, you asked very general questions that could be answered by any vendor or retailer. Now, as to our experience with locking systems during a move, if you want to know something like that, ASK something like that.
My blunt reply in this case (as in most, if one cares to look past their po’ widdle hurt feelings) was intended to spur you to ask the right people those general questions.
I do not pretend to be any kind of a know-it-all, AT ALL, I just sometimes think I can recognize couchness. And if you don’t understand that term, then you ain’t been around long enough to criticize anybody here.
I really do not mean to offend, its just that sometimes I just do.
I love you, man.
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Mike (Seattle WA)
Posted by Mike (Seattle WA) on February 07, 2006 at 12:15:32:
Yeah Steve, you’re absolutely worthless (as I type this from my JOB…) 
Re: wood laminate flooring - Posted by Sailor
Posted by Sailor on February 07, 2006 at 10:11:42:
Now, now, kids, remember this is just like any other sandbox. We have to remember to play nice.
In response to your query, Michael, I don’t think many of us have used the newer laminates in MHs long enough to be able to adquately compare Lowe’s vs. Sam’s. I’ve used laminates since they came out here in the U.S., but every time I do another room, the product is different. For years we had to use various glues & straps & the snap-in products are relatively new. Besides, both Lowe’s & Sam’s change suppliers often to get the best deal–which is exactly how the rest of us operate. Home improvement stores are now using laminates as loss leaders, so that’s a big advantage for those of us who put in a lot of new floors. If the price was the same I’d probably go w/Lowe’s just because it is closer & I think if I had a problem I would have a better chance of Lowe’s making a concession on my behalf.
It has been previously suggested that in doing a large room, such as might be found in a double-wide, that an expansion divider be placed across the joint between the two halves of the MH. That should alleviate the problem that concerns you on using laminate in a mh.
Tye (who likes this particular playground very much)