Floating floor over....floating floor?

[bullnerd]

I built a kitchen and dining room addition onto my house about 15yrs ago and we put down one of the earlier versions of the laminate flooring, the glued together style. Well now we are refinishing the adjoining room and the wife wants to change the flooring to run between the rooms. Now she wants to use the click together laminate flooring. The floor heights match up pretty good. I really do not want to cut out the original glued together floor.

Can I run the new floating floor over the original floating floor?

 

[kd3pc]

Can I run the new floating floor over the original floating floor?

sure...

the downside is that the new floor may float a lot more than what you want. It will be noisy and depending on the manufacturer, the "click and lock" may be compromised by the play in the subfloor. There is not much to keep the strips together. especially if you run the lengths the same way (vs cross ways to the current installed floor)

I would suggest that you go see a store or dealer who has a knowledgeable staff to answer about your specific floor and what you hope to use in the redo.

 

[beakie]

I would be apt to find the floor joists, chalk like them, and screw down the floating that is there now.

IF you are stuck on leaving it there, atleast keep it from being a movement variable.

 

[draglink]

are you doing this so heights match? If so maybe, if you screw it off as beakie said.

No way would I float a floor on top of a floating floor

 

[bullnerd]

"I would suggest that you go see a store or dealer who has a knowledgeable staff "

Thats probably easier said than done,LOL.

I was thinking about screwing it down. When you step on it, it doesnt really "float" anymore, at least you cant feel or see it, except near the open edge, that could be screwed down.

Yeah the heights are real close. The old room was originally going to be carpeted, so that would have hidden any flaws in the transition. If I pull it up I'm going to have to add something to get it back to the same height. Old floor is really beat up oak.

 

[draglink]

best thing would be to pull out and install 1/4" luan underlayment(plywood) to bring to level.

I am in the flooring business and that's what I would do.....

 

[bullnerd]

best thing would be to pull out and install 1/4" luan underlayment(plywood) to bring to level.

I am in the flooring business and that's what I would do.....

Yeah, your probably right.

Thanks,

 

[kd3pc]

Old floor is really beat up oak.

You would be surprised the life left in original oak floors, and with the stains and polys available today...this would be my choice.

The thresholds can split the difference in heights and not be toe-busters or trip hazards.

all the best in what ever you decide.

 

[rlitman]

best thing would be to pull out and install 1/4" luan underlayment(plywood) to bring to level.

I am in the flooring business and that's what I would do.....

Removing the old floor is actually really easy.

Set a circular saw to a hair over the thickness of the old floating floor.
Cut it up in a grid pattern. Lift up the pieces, remove the cushion underlayment.


Now if you were REALLY cheap, I suppose you could put the pieces back, and screw them down, but screwing through laminate flooring requires pre-drilling and countersinking, and if you aren't careful to keep the pieces from touching (separate the saw kerfs), you may get squeaks when people walk.

I'd just get the luan to level the floor.

 

[bullnerd]

You would be surprised the life left in original oak floors, and with the stains and polys available today...this would be my choice.

The thresholds can split the difference in heights and not be toe-busters or trip hazards.

all the best in what ever you decide.

This oak is really bad! The PO cut 3 by 4 section out and poured 4" of concrete to hold up a small wood stove. Plus deep burn marks, crappy patch jobs, etc..

Removing the old floor is actually really easy.

Set a circular saw to a hair over the thickness of the old floating floor.
Cut it up in a grid pattern. Lift up the pieces, remove the cushion underlayment.


Now if you were REALLY cheap, I suppose you could put the pieces back, and screw them down, but screwing through laminate flooring requires pre-drilling and countersinking, and if you aren't careful to keep the pieces from touching (separate the saw kerfs), you may get squeaks when people walk.

I'd just get the luan to level the floor.

Circular saw is what I was thinking. Stuff is tough on blades and makes nasty little hard chips.

UUUHHHGGG!

 

[rlitman]

Circular saw is what I was thinking. Stuff is tough on blades and makes nasty little hard chips.

Totally! Eye protection, and a throwaway blade is in order.
But it's quick work.