Laminate floor over carpet – why not?
Biff_Loman
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Yeah, the easy answer is “no, don’t do it,” void the warranty, etc.
But seriously, what’s the worst that could happen? We have some friends who actually might be interested in preserving the carpet in their rec room, but who can’t stand having a giant dog hair sponge for a floor.
Like, I’m thinking worst case scenario is that some joints open up, or the floor might not lie flat as nicely as on the foam.
Edited 3/25/2008 11:07 pm ET by Biff_Loman
Edited 3/25/2008 11:08 pm ET by Biff_Loman
Edited 3/25/2008 11:24 pm ET by Biff_Loman
Replies
The problem is that it won't support the joints on the laminate and they will separate.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Biff, I was at job once that the HO did that. The joints were not opening up but it sure was funny to walk on they seemed happy with it. Mike
Other than to advise against on the grounds that it just sounds like a bad idea (I don't do floating floors so I have no first hand knowledge).....I'm picturing some future homeowner many years down the road renovating the room....starting to pull up the flooring in preperation to lay a new one, when suddenly, "Hey honey...come look at this! I think we may be able to save this carpet!"
Sorry. Just a funny visual I hadda share.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
Had a job where we pulled up carpet, and when we started to pull it found beautiful oak floors. Carpet was already ordered, and set for install the next day. We got sick feeling, as well as homeowner, until we found that the good hardwood was only on the outside perimeter of the room. They had obviously had an area rug over the main part of the room, and had only finished the outside edges that showed.
Ya gotta wonder how much money was actually saved when doing a project like that?
Aside from the square footage of flooring....there was actually MORE labor involved.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
done all the time around here.
nice hardwood on the edges ... pine or something else in the middle.
planned for an area rug to cover it.
my own house has it ... but with plywood in the middle.
not sure of their original plan ... probably cut out existing damaged hardwood.
I think the real deal ... hardwood with cheaper pine center was called "yankee hardwood" or something like that.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Really?
Never seen it in these parts.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
Yup.
has fooled more than one new home buyer!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I can see it now HO takes back a piece of laminate with the tongue broken off, shows it to the store manager where he bought it. HO demands replacement, store manager asks what was it laid on? HO says "carpet" store manager falls down laughing his #### off.
Hmmm wonder if the HO can't read, I think is says in most installation instructions "clean, dry, level, sub-floor or solid surface flooring" wonder where the HO could interpret that to mean "carpet". <G>
It never ceases to amaze me what off the wall ideas some people have.
I guess I could be considered a "advanced" diy'er and sometimes woodworker. I try to read (and ask questions here) about anything I don't understand and I am not above hiring help when I feel I am tackling a project over my head as I did with the kitchen remodel I did last year. I got some help with the soffit framing and gas pipe relocation. I re-roofed my house (tear off and replaced with Malarky "Alaskan" 3 tab 6 nail per and hand tabbed on the windward side shingles) 5 years ago and still going strong. Did a couple of bath remodels etc. In the middle of putting down hardwood flooring on the main level. I had started with bad wood from Anderson and now ready to use the replacement. I will elaborate if anyone is interested.
Jim
Jim
I have a 2 br rental with glued down I/O carpet in the kitchen. Wanting to update in a hurry, I laid the Pergo down on the carpet and it has lasted 4 years with no issues. Nothing I'd want in my own house but has fit the bill here.
Interesting that it has worked thus far.Seems like the floor would feel really spongy though.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$2008 Recipient of Mr T - Brownbag One Liner Award
The carpet was the real dense stuff popular in the 70's, still in good shape but ugly as sin. I figured it was just a little thicker than the underlayment sold for Pergo. Walking on it doesn't feel any different than other laminate floors I have walked on.
Cool - I like how the laminate floors feel on you feet. I had an oak laminate floor in my kitchen for about 4 years.Thanks for your info.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$2008 Recipient of Mr T - Brownbag One Liner Award
Yeah, I figure it'd be pretty spongy. It would just be for their rec room. These people have. . . relaxed standards, in comparison to myself.
If they want to save the carpet why dont they just pull it up and store it? Seams foolish to go over carpet but maybe that depends on the carpet - have to be a really short nap.
Doug
J
Common around here too.
Doug
I'm wondering if laying down luan or 1/4" ply might keep those seams better supported?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.