Replacing laminate flooring - how do I get expansion gap if I leave skirting on wall?

[mazdaq]

Replacing some laminate flooring - there's already laminate down, which I'll take up. Ideally, I'd like to leave skirting on the wall and slide the new laminate under the skirting. But how do I achieve the expansion gap as I won't be able to put a packer against the wall?

Ideally, I'd like to avoid taking the skirting off and avoid the need for a scotia bead around the edge.

 

[ETAF]

how does the laminate you plan to use join?
just a DIYer and done a few floors , and most CLICK together by putting 1 at an angle and pushing down
we also used a BAR to push/pull together - If you have skirting either side of room how will you get both ends under the existing skirting

as i say , just a DIYer , so flooring experts or more experianced guys may help

In my sons flat , we had to put up to skirting as it ws part rented and not allowed to touch the skirting etc - so we put a small piece of moulding around
he has been in the flat 8years (just sold) and it worked well

 

[mazdaq]

Thanks. Yes after I posted I started to think about how to connect them on the last row if skirting is on all walls.

I guess, I'm going to have to take off skirting at least one wall to fit them together when I reach the other side. Question is, is there any way of guaranteeing the expansion under the skirting at the other side of the room where I've started?

Beginning to think that taking all skirting off will be the way to go in order to avoid scotia beading.

Grateful to hear any other options if they exist though.

 

[opps]

Assuming a straightforward square room. You could use bits of tape on the first row to give you a visual indicator of the amount of flooring running under the existing skirting.

Again, assuming that you are using a tilt and click system, you will need a reverse profile to bash the panels together if you only plan to remove one wall of skirting. It is doable but it would be quicker to remove at least 3 walls of skirting.

I once had to make tilt and click run through a mates knocked through room and out into the hallway. the hole of the hallway had to be assembled in the reverse order by hammering.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I guess, I'm going to have to take off skirting at least one wall to fit them together when I reach the other side. Question is, is there any way of guaranteeing the expansion under the skirting at the other side of the room where I've started?

Something the correct size, for the space, but compressible - such as, short off-cuts of three core flex, cut down pencil rubbers, soft clear plastic pipe.

 

[Deluks]

Use cork expansion strips, specifically for this purpose.
I took the skirting off of one side when I did mine. In other areas I seem to remember hammering the last piece lengthways to slide it in, something solid was between the end of the second to last one and the wall, to stop it sliding.

 

[mazdaq]

Use cork expansion strips, specifically for this purpose.
I took the skirting off of one side when I did mine. In other areas I seem to remember hammering the last piece lengthways to slide it in, something solid was between the end of the second to last one and the wall, to stop it sliding.

Excellent, thanks. Seems to be the ideal solution for this and should mean only have to take off skirting on the one wall.

 

[opps]

Excellent, thanks. Seems to be the ideal solution for this and should mean only have to take off skirting on the one wall.

If it is the tilt and click type... after the first row, how are you going to tilt up the bits that need to go under the skirting on the adjacent walls.

Sorry, I can't see how it can be done unless you assemble each row diagonally in the room, and then offer it up to the previously fitted row and use a whacking plate to marry them. I suspect that might be more time consuming than removing the skirting (depending on the skirting and how it was fitted).

I could be wrong though.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Best of luck.

 

[mazdaq]

If it is the tilt and click type... after the first row, how are you going to tilt up the bits that need to go under the skirting on the adjacent walls.

Sorry, I can't see how it can be done unless you assemble each row diagonally in the room, and then offer it up to the previously fitted row and use a whacking plate to marry them. I suspect that might be more time consuming than removing the skirting (depending on the skirting and how it was fitted).

I could be wrong though.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Best of luck.

Yep you are absolutely right. To be honest, I haven't fully decided on the laminate yet, so I will give it some thought. Thanks for replying.

 

[opps]

Yep you are absolutely right. To be honest, I haven't fully decided on the laminate yet, so I will give it some thought. Thanks for replying.

I have only done about 15 rooms. Initially they were the glue type which required ratchet straps. Then they seemed to become the type that had to be hammered together. The last few I did were the tilt/click types- they can be bashed together, but, again, it is a lot slower. I normally use off cuts and hammer those against the new boards. The last row, I use something like this

 

[mazdaq]

I have only done about 15 rooms. Initially they were the glue type which required ratchet straps. Then they seemed to become the type that had to be hammered together. The last few I did were the tilt/click types- they can be bashed together, but, again, it is a lot slower. I normally use off cuts and hammer those against the new boards. The last row, I use something like this

Yeah I did tilt and click in a couple of bathrooms recently. Took a while to get the hang of but got quicker in the end. I didn't remove skirting on those but left an expansion gap with packers against the skirting, and then filled the gap with sealant. Looked good.

 

[johnny2007]

Do it properly, remove 2 adjacent sides of the skirting so you can lay the laminate without swearing and sweating.
Use cork strips to get a good gap all around.

 

[mazdaq]

Just to update, in the end I took off all skirting, which I was obviously glad I did in hindsight as made fitting it a breeze.

Used a multitool to cut the door frames and architrave and slide the flooring under.

Customer decided they wanted new skirting anyway once the floor was done. Another good decision as the old skirting looked tatty.

All in all, a very happy customer and enjoyed doing the job. Nice to add another string to my bow.

Thanks for all the advice on here and from stopping me trying to take shortcuts.