Make first and last row equal when laying?

Sprogginz · 22 Jun 2020

I'm going to put new laminate flooring down in my porch. As you can see with the current flooring, there is just a very small gap left for the last row.

I'm wondering if it's better to trim the first row so that the first and last row are equal size. Obviously more trimming to do but using the same amount of planks. Will that look better or is it not worth it?

ktuludays · 22 Jun 2020

Are your new boards the same width as the old ones?

Remember to leave a 10mm expansion gap or you'll find it wants to push up in the middle when it expands in winter, especially in a porch area

lostinthelight · 22 Jun 2020

I would lay something more water resistant in an area like that, what with wet feet and driving rain when the doors open

JaimieH · 23 Jun 2020

For a small area like your porch it would look better to work out from a centre line and have equal cuts along opposite walls. If the cuts work out to be less than half the width of a plank, move the middle plank to straddle the centre line and you'll get larger cuts.

foxhole · 23 Jun 2020

Personally I would drop in a length of coir matting .

cdbe · 23 Jun 2020

Ceramic tiles would be a far better option, or LVT - the click versions are as easy to lay as laminate.

Sprogginz · 23 Jun 2020

I'm using the same laminate for my house so it matches and I've already got the packs as they've been sitting in my loft for a few years!

10mm expansion gap? Is that at both ends? Didn't realise they should be that big but as you've said, since it's a porch, I can see why.

I think if it doesn't work out then nothing really lost compared to doing a whole room. I've realised I can't even put underlay down because the gap between the floor and opened door is really tiny!

Thanks for all your advice.

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Make first and last row equal when laying?

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