Hi,
I’m looking for information on the best way to secure hardwood (birch) flooring underneath a kitchen basecabinet toe kick. This is a project to replacing a tile floor. The cabinets are already installed. A flooring specialist at HD suggested adhesive or glue to secure the first course. I am leary of this method, because it may not allow the wood floor to expand in both directions as it will want to. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Mark Eisenhaur
Replies
remove the toekick if posible and fit the flooring close to the cabinets, rip down the toekick and replace
if the toekick is not removable, add another layer of kick over the existing one
a tacky alternative is a shoemold or 1/4 round
caulking is not a piece of trim
Steve,
Thank you for your reply. My question was more centered around how to nail or adhere the flooring that is under the toe kick. I think face nailing is out unless it is done at a 45deg angle. I probably will use a shoe molding though.
Thanks
ike
yes, i reread your question, id glue the few pieces that are not accessible for nailing together and use new toekick or a shoe molding to hold it down to the subfloorcaulking is not a piece of trim
I wouldnt want a solid glue down floor in a kitchen because of water . Besure to check the dishwaser as it will have to be sitting on the height of the finished floor to slide out . You are also correct on movement with a wet area possibility. Floating laminate works , but doesnt last a lifetime.
Tim Mooney
Tim,
Thanks for your reply. The flooring is prefinished plank (3 1/4" birch 3/4" thick). The HD employee was suggesting to glue down the first row of flooring as you cannot facenailing directly into the plank, underneath the toe kick. I am looking into face nailing at a 45deg angle instead.
Regards,
ike
i wouln`t worry about adhesives such as P L ,(nasty stuff that it is), or something similar--it`ll allow enuf movement in the flooring. you might wanna force it down against the cabinet base edge while she sets up.
Rod,
I appreciate the reply. I think I am going to face nailing at a 45. I do like your idea of "clamping down on the piece" using the cabinet edge.
Thanks
Ike
Maybe use 1 5/8 trim screws..I"d stay away from gluing it down..especially with the damp conditions..Trim screws instead of nails..no glue and base shoe.
JC