Can I install glueless laminate flooring over carpet??
#1
Can I install glueless laminate flooring over carpet??
I've got very thin, no shag carpeting throughout the house that some moron glued down. Can I install a glueless laminate wood floor over the top or do I have to lose 10 pounds and a week of sun-tanning tearing it up first?????????
HELP BOYS!
HELP BOYS!
#4
Hi all,
Firstly, I want to make it clear that I am a new, inexperienced user in this forum, so I am not trying to dispute against any of the ideas regarding ripping out carpet before installing laminate. However, I 've read from the Lowes Website the statement as below:
"SwiftLock laminate flooring is appropriate for any room and can be installed over ceramic tile, concrete, well-bonded vinyl or board/ply underlayments. It can even be installed over short pile carpet that is less than 1/4" high and has no pad underneath"
Link: http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...wftLamFlr.html
Can anyone please confirm this?
Thank you
Firstly, I want to make it clear that I am a new, inexperienced user in this forum, so I am not trying to dispute against any of the ideas regarding ripping out carpet before installing laminate. However, I 've read from the Lowes Website the statement as below:
"SwiftLock laminate flooring is appropriate for any room and can be installed over ceramic tile, concrete, well-bonded vinyl or board/ply underlayments. It can even be installed over short pile carpet that is less than 1/4" high and has no pad underneath"
Link: http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...wftLamFlr.html
Can anyone please confirm this?
Thank you
#5
Actually, the above statement is correct. I have installed many laminate floors over short pile carpet. If you think about it, when you install a foam under the laminate it's like short carpet. For example, Quiet Walk is about an 1/8" thick and then with the flooring it's around 1/4"thick, with some give to it. I would recommend "IF" you are installing over carpet "short pile" then use the "white" foam because you don't need the extra give that quiet walk gives. You will have that from the carpet. Can you imagine trying to pull up short pile carpet, trust me you will wish you would of left it. Typically, with short pile carpet it stapled pretty much everywhere and glued also... I have pulled one up and vowed never again... Now that's why I just leave it and install the "white" foam over it.
If you install over ceramic, make sure that the tiles are not loose or grout is coming out of joints. This will cause buckling from this below the laminate. Not a good thing. If you can pop up the tile, clean floor as good as you can, then nail a new subfloor down , make sure the surface is really clean and no bumps. This will cause buckling also. "if not in bad shape after removing tiles or tiles/grout is ok " , just go over the floor with a good "foam", like quiet walk from Anderson and put your laminate in over that.
Last but not least make sure to add one extra box of flooring to the estimated amount, you will thank me later. I did a job for my father-in-law and being the conservative person he is, he purchased the exact amount needed. Well at 2:00 AM, I was 4 pieces short of finishing.. Let's just say when we did another room he bought the extra box.... HEHEHEHEHE..
I hope this helps...... Enjoy the floor when finished...
If you install over ceramic, make sure that the tiles are not loose or grout is coming out of joints. This will cause buckling from this below the laminate. Not a good thing. If you can pop up the tile, clean floor as good as you can, then nail a new subfloor down , make sure the surface is really clean and no bumps. This will cause buckling also. "if not in bad shape after removing tiles or tiles/grout is ok " , just go over the floor with a good "foam", like quiet walk from Anderson and put your laminate in over that.
Last but not least make sure to add one extra box of flooring to the estimated amount, you will thank me later. I did a job for my father-in-law and being the conservative person he is, he purchased the exact amount needed. Well at 2:00 AM, I was 4 pieces short of finishing.. Let's just say when we did another room he bought the extra box.... HEHEHEHEHE..
I hope this helps...... Enjoy the floor when finished...
#6
Mr Idoitmyself and Doomer may cost you a lot of money with their incorrect advice. This kind of info is exactly why I contribute to flooring forums, to warn of bad ideas and help when I can. A floor installed over carpet may not fail but if it does the warrantee will not help you find a free replacement.
#7
Laminate installation
Laminate manufacturers tend to have their own very specific instructions. These should be followed to the T. Any violation of these instructions could void warranty and result in problems associated with improper installation. If you have specific installation questions, contact your manufacturer. Do not depend upon the advice of well-meaning advisors.
AzFred is a long time noted professional in the field of laminate installation. For additonal laminate advice from this pro, go to www.azfred.com.
Again, no manufacturer of laminate flooring recommends carpet as a proper substrate for a laminate installation, despite advice to the contrary. Should you proceed with carpet as a substrate for laminate, you will more than likely void any warranties. Read and follow all manufacturer's instructions carefully re: substrate preparation, acclimation of laminate, and installation procedures. Read and follow the advice given by our in-house expert AzFred.
AzFred is a long time noted professional in the field of laminate installation. For additonal laminate advice from this pro, go to www.azfred.com.
Again, no manufacturer of laminate flooring recommends carpet as a proper substrate for a laminate installation, despite advice to the contrary. Should you proceed with carpet as a substrate for laminate, you will more than likely void any warranties. Read and follow all manufacturer's instructions carefully re: substrate preparation, acclimation of laminate, and installation procedures. Read and follow the advice given by our in-house expert AzFred.
#9
Laminate installation
AzFred, I am one of your loyal fans. I am devoted. Your expertise is unsurpassed. I quote you like I do resercon in insulation and others that are part of our expert family here. I would never doubt your expertise. I am a researcher and everything you state is backed up by research. You are cutting edge. I respect you and everything you post. I advise anyone who posts on our forums re: laminate to go to your website & abide by your advice when it comes to laminate questions. I respect you and your advice & thank you for being a member of our DIY forums. Please know that you are loved and appreciated by your fellow mods here at DIY.com and that I will always defer to your expertise when it comes to laminate.
#10
Please don't take this the wrong way, AzFred. I have been in the flooring business for many years. I have installed many laminated flooring products. Let me ask you something, Have you ever ripped up a short pile carpet floor? Do you realize the amount of time it takes to remove it and possibly put down a new subfloor. AzFred before making comments about "costing you money" maybe you should look at the whole picture. Myself and others like you are here to give advice. That's It...
It's amazing to me that companies that who sell laminate our actually the one's who gave me this advice years ago. Now if companies like Anderson, Quik-Lok, etc... are telling me this, then why wouldn't they warranty it.... Doesn't make since.... As a matter of fact, I have probably a handful of warranty repairs, but the majority has been water damage... The companies who actually come out for claims DID NOT care about the carpet. The only thing they cared about was the 1/4" gap around the room and nothing so hard the floor that it can't move because of the weight.
Twelvepole is right as anyone in here, make sure to follow manufacture guidelines and call them if needed. They are more than happy to help the Do-It-yourselfer.....
It's amazing to me that companies that who sell laminate our actually the one's who gave me this advice years ago. Now if companies like Anderson, Quik-Lok, etc... are telling me this, then why wouldn't they warranty it.... Doesn't make since.... As a matter of fact, I have probably a handful of warranty repairs, but the majority has been water damage... The companies who actually come out for claims DID NOT care about the carpet. The only thing they cared about was the 1/4" gap around the room and nothing so hard the floor that it can't move because of the weight.
Twelvepole is right as anyone in here, make sure to follow manufacture guidelines and call them if needed. They are more than happy to help the Do-It-yourselfer.....
#11
doomer, No problem. If I err it will be on the conservative side or that of caution. That said, every manufacturer has a warrantee statement concerning flatness and moisture. How well can you inspect for flatness of a slab that is hidden under a piece of carpet? The laminate is also designed and intended to slip or slide on a slick surface such as flat polyethylene. Next issue, how much moisture from a spill will carpet hold VS a concrete slab? And worse case, how much toxic mold is growing on the bottom of carpet that has been wet or how much cat odor etc. is waiting for a little moisture to set it off. I know that taking the carpet up is not easy but not taking it up is like playing Russian Roulette. JMHO .....As for the installer, who buys the job if the floor wasn't flat within tolerence or the moisture test is questionable when an inspecter is hired?
Last edited by AzFred; 08-16-03 at 02:29 PM.
#12
Sorry doomer, AzFred is right. There are MANY reasons why installing over carpet is a bad idea. I too have been doing this for many years and have spent days and nights scraping up glue down carpet before. Those of us who have been doing this for any length of time know how how tedious and time consuming it is, but we do what the job calls for and what will keep the customers warranty intact. Some shortcuts are not to be taken.
Robert
Robert
#13
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Though it is true that you should follow the manufacturers instructions in order to not risk voiding the warranty, it is not true that installing over short-pile carpet will necessarily void the warranty. Check with the specific manufacturer.
With that said, I'm installing this over short-pile carpet in a rental property. I'm a stay-at-home dad who does all of the house maintenance myself. I don't have the time to rip up that ridiculous carpet with its millions of staples. Now, I'm only doing two, rather small, rooms, but I don't care about the warranty. It's not an expensive product, and you can never tell how renters will treat your property.
I'm far more worried about the hardwood in the rest of my 1920's home that is original to the house. That's irreplaceable.
So, if the manufacturer doesn't state that this will void the warranty, or if you (like I) do not care about the warranty, do what is best for your specific situation.
With that said, I'm installing this over short-pile carpet in a rental property. I'm a stay-at-home dad who does all of the house maintenance myself. I don't have the time to rip up that ridiculous carpet with its millions of staples. Now, I'm only doing two, rather small, rooms, but I don't care about the warranty. It's not an expensive product, and you can never tell how renters will treat your property.
I'm far more worried about the hardwood in the rest of my 1920's home that is original to the house. That's irreplaceable.
So, if the manufacturer doesn't state that this will void the warranty, or if you (like I) do not care about the warranty, do what is best for your specific situation.
#14
DIYDad74 welcome to the forums. The post you responded to is nine years old. I doubt the poster still needs help. Best to answer the newer posts where the member still need help but glad to see you are willing to help. Again welcome.
Last edited by stickshift; 09-30-12 at 04:00 PM. Reason: typo - four became nine