Installing final row laminate under architrave and bottom of stairs

Joined
5 Dec 2012
Messages
929
Reaction score
13
Country
United Kingdom
Hi,

i am on my final row of laminate flooring, at the bottom of the stairs. I will be installing the row in 2 half planks to match the pattern of the floor ( previous row is 1 full plank length)

I am going to trim off the bottom of the architrave and timber that is at bottom of stairs (not sure of name of it), but i've not got much room to work with to get it underneath

One half i can just slide in, but the final piece will be tricky

Is there a trick to get it in there?
Is it best to use the flooring tool that you can hit with a hammer to get laminate in?

pics below

IMG_20220402_181722.jpg
IMG_20220402_181735.jpg


cheers
 
Sponsored Links
The architrave and door casing (bottom picture) can both be undercut with a multitool (this should already have been done before you got to this stage). The newel post and bottom riser in the stairs are probably best finished with the laminate cut short and a quadrant moulding to cover the gap. If you undercut the riser it can drop a bit in the future if you go too far. If you undercut the newel and you'll need to chisel the waste out so your laminate will fit in - which can be difficult to do working flat against the existing floor (hence quadrant moulding)

I think where you've gone wrong is not to plan your exit strategy before hitting the snags - you'll be better off removing some of the laminate so that you can deal with the issues and finish the floor
 
thanks for your reply

So basically just cut off a bit of the door casing (where there is white paint) and leave the brown coloured casing and just cut close to it? cheers

edit: would i need to trim the lip and glue the final rows together?
Also, sorry i should say, it's not the newel post, i'll take another pic from further away
164892283196743714512739221899.jpg

...
 
Sponsored Links
Ah-ha! Take the last plank you fitted out. Using a multitool and a offcut of flooring undercut the door casing on the left of the stairs to the its' full depth. Remove waste. Groove the leading edge of the left stair stringer to a depth of about 10 to 12mm from the face. Groove the inside edge of the left stringer in the same way, from the front of the stairs back to the first riser. Chisel out a groove at the bottom of the left stringer, front to rear, with a narrow (6 to 8mm) wood chisel. This should be all the undercutting you do on the left side. Repeat for the right side.

Mark the line of the last but one plank on the floor, then use the measurements to produce a scribed last plank. Allow 10mm or so clearance along the front of the stairs riser.

Insert the last piece of laminate, pulling it hard against the riser

Drop the last but one plank into place and click.

Using a cat's paw bar and a small pull bar and mallet piece drive the last plank to connect with the last plank but one.

This should leave a 10mm expansion gap along the edge of the laminate which can be filled with cork strip and will then be covered by your stair runner (carpet), or which can be hidden beneath a length of quadrant floor moulding pinned to the front of riser (horizontally, not vertically)
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top