Community Forums

Chickenman · 01-28-2011, 05:09 PM

I have been planning all winter to remove the carpeting and replace with laminate flooring. I have read just about every post concerning this project here at irv2.

I will begin removing the carpet tomorrow and prep the floor this weekend. Due to commitments on all my February weekends I will not start replacing the floor until March. I will post the prep pictures as I can. Wish me luck and please…. Send me any ideas or experiences you have had with this project.

"007" · 01-28-2011, 05:21 PM

You have done your home work, good luck and take your time, couple of months before summer.

UFO Pilot · 01-28-2011, 05:50 PM

I have obtained 3 quotes for replacing my carpet with laminate, all over $3000. Material can't be more than $500? I wonder what is so hard about replacing carpet with laminate in an RV?

Diesel Guy · 01-28-2011, 06:06 PM

Hello I replaced the floor in my older 5thwheel with laminate the only thing I would do is glue just the seems (do not glue the floor down) put the floor down just like in a regular home.It was really a easy job .

Shore2Shore · 01-28-2011, 06:08 PM

wthomas1 with quotes like that I'd try and do the re-flooring yourself if you have the time! Ouch thats expensive!

Have laid laminate flooring in my folks home and its pretty easy stuff to put down,an Rv should easier! Just a long box, also with how little of the actual floor sometimes shows due to dinettes,tables,kitchen cabinets the hardware should be cheap enough.

We are actually looking to replace our flooring, have laid cheapo stick on tiles in the bedroom & kitchen but will replace all our old exisiting carpet in the lounge area & the old tile with better stuff soon.

good luck with either finding a more reasonable quote or tackling the job yourself

seldomseen · 01-29-2011, 07:16 AM

Hi,
I did the carpet to laminate conversion on our '95 National. I removed everything that wasn't nailed down.

The hardest part of the job was removing the one zillion staples they used to hold down the blue shag carpet!

It took about seven packs of flooring that I bought at Sam's Club for around $27 dollars a pack. The job was completed in about two weekends.

....Bob.

Recon4 · 01-29-2011, 10:13 AM

Looks GREAT!! You would think the manufacturers would get the hint and STOP putting carpet in RVs...

Chickenman · 01-30-2011, 06:14 AM

Bob, great job. Thanks for the pics and links. I will finish removing the carpet padding and original laminate in the galley today. The past owner replaced the carpet about five years ago and the installer didn't want the carpet to ever come out. Every inch of it is glued down.

Will try solvent to finish the removal.

bldrbob · 01-30-2011, 06:51 AM

The only problem I had was getting the first rows started. With the slideout there is nothing to push against to snap the first couple rows.I finally glued a couple rows together and when the glue dried I slid them under the slide.I then nailed them at the edge of the slide.The rest was just a lot of patience .

Vegasdan · 01-30-2011, 10:57 AM

We bought our laminate at Sam's Club for around $27 a box. Then hired a flooring installer for $500. The BIG problem is-what type of slide out do you have? If you have one like mine with skids, I would not recommend using laminate. The skid will scratch the laminate as you move the slide in and out. If yours has rollers, just make sure the rollers are kept clean. Also, taper the edge of the first run of laminate that goes under the slideout so the slide out rollers can climb up and on top of the laminate.
Our floor is scratched but we dealt with that by an area rug over the laminate, which we were going to use anyway as laminate is cold and will scratch in the long run with rocks or sand under your shoes. If you have dogs, you might also consider their nails that will scratch the laminate.

deandec · 01-30-2011, 11:18 AM

"You would think the manufacturers would get the hint and STOP putting carpet in RVs... "

Carpet is warm on cool days. Not noticed on warm days.
Carpet will not show scratchs or dents.
Carpet is not slippery and won't hurt my dog's joints.
Carpet can be changed if color choice dictates.
Carpet can be cleaned and vacuumed.
Throw rugs can be used on carpet just as on laminate.
Carpet can even look formal and pleasant.
Our rigs carpet is 16 years old and still performs well.

I have 1,000 feet of hardwood wood flooring in my S&B. What a pain!

Midniteoyl · 01-30-2011, 01:38 PM

Which do people think looks better? Laminate run front to back (long axis), or side to side?

Dadeaux · 01-30-2011, 03:25 PM

I would run it long ways with the coach length as in the picture above. As for the price you were quoted it appears to be very inflated. I have installed laminated floors in several of my rental homes that required 6 or 8 times the material and have never paid that amount.

All you need is a chop saw that will cut across the width of the panels you choose and a few hand tools. Like siding make sure the ends of the panels are at random and they will virtually disappear. Almost any tool rental will have the saw if you don't.

Good luck and post some pics for us when finished.

kirbdog1 · 01-31-2011, 08:18 PM

Hi,
New to the site, but could not resist to post on this topic. I highly suggest you look at putting in an Allure floor from Home Depot. It is a vinyl floor that looks like wood, simple to install...and I mean simple, kind of a peel and stick except only on the edges without the peeling. It is free floating and looks great. Only thing is that it is a little bit more slippery, but the biggest thing is that it is water resistant. We have had laminate, but once you get water on it and it get's through those cracks, it's all over. Underneath that veneer laminate is pretty much just pressed together sawdust. It will bubble up and look nasty. A little spill would not be an issue, but if you have kids or an accident, you'll be wishing you put in an Allure floor. We choose the Golden Oak planks. About $1.79 a square foot. Hope this helps!