Cheers all.

I'm not that fussed over the long term aspects of the laminate. I'll be posted within the next 6 months and will be selling the house. The carpet downstairs will need replacing. A damn good clean won't cut it - it needs to go as it's too worn. I was therefore thinking laminate as a fairly decent yet relatively inexpensive replacement.

Now my plastering may be sh1t but if there is something I'm a Ninja at it's this......

I put it down when I moved house a few years ago (hall, living room, dining room and conservatory) and was one of the reasons why the couple who bought it liked it, I've also done it for a couple of mates.

If you are going to do it, as I have several times now, make sure you stagger the joints so you don't have a continuous join across the floor.

I did this by starting each line of planks with a full one, then the next line with a 3/4 length piece, then 1/2 then 1/4 that way the joints are staggered and it looks more proffessional.

Make sure you put some form of insulation underneath it, I've used various stuff but the best by far was the green fibreboard stuff (can't remember what it was called) the silver stuff that comes in a roll slips all over the place.

I'd start by taking off the skirting boards and using cork strips around the edge as this allows for the expansion of the laminate flooring in warm weather. then lay the flooring and replace the skirting boards - I bought new ones and waxed them (as well as the door frames and the doors)

If you are laying it between rooms don't stop at the door and start it again the other side allow it to run through the doorway you may want to (or have to) take the door off - it makes it easier.

If you are looking to redecorate do it before you put the floor down, that way it doesn't matter if you make too much of a mess.

Originally Posted by box-of-frogs

I'm considering getting laminate flooring for the downstairs of the house (excluding kitchen). It seems to be relatively inexpensive. Anyone fitted some themselves? Easy to do? Tips? Was it worth it?

Cheers!

If you're not happy farting about with trying to slot wood together , there's some very good vinyl wood flooring effect around at the moment. Much easier to put down, and a lot easier on the pocket , and to look at it, no difference visually from wood laminate/engineered.

Friend of mine has just done his office with it, and to be honest, it looks mint.

Will try and post a photo later.

Originally Posted by phil37

Get the professionals in - DIY is always a bad bet.

I do hope you're not trying to pass yourself off as a real man with comments like that.

B_T here
I ve done laminating before a couple of times, I managed to get a DVD from B&Q to help , it was full of handy tips , best bit of advice get some decent knee pads.

Cheers
B_T

If you choose to Laminate Flooring considered this things . A laminate flooring is one of the most affordable type of flooring available. It is very easy to maintain and clean. Laminate flooring is easily maintained by giving it a regular sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming. It is very sanitary. While its disadvantage are laminate flooring does not come without drawbacks. Its main disadvantage is that once it is damaged, it is almost impossible to repair. Scuffing or scratches cannot be buffed out and they remain forever on the plastic laminate surface. Failing to do so can allow mildew to infest the core. Moisture can seep through scratches in the shell, creating an ideal moist environment for mildew and other microorganisms to thrive.