Installing laminate around spindles-help please!!
#1
11-22-05, 11:27 AM
Installing laminate around spindles-help please!!
Pictures
How do you pros out there typcially handle the above situation. I'm a DIYer and this is my first experience with laminate flooring. So far I've installed approximately 600 sq ft with no major problems. Now I'm trying to install it in my dining room that overlooks the living room. Problem is I have about a rail with about 13 spindles that will need to be addressed. The room previously had a very thin pile berber carpet and I've laid about 2/3 of the laminate flooring down in this room but have now come to a point were I need to address the railings.
What is the best way to handle this situation? My thoughts are: option #1 leave carpet in place around spindles and just run laminate flooring up to about 2" in front of spindles and leave room for expansion gap and cover with t-molding (as depicted in pics) or Option #2 take up carpet around spindles and do entire area with laminate. My guess is that I would either need to leave an expansion gap around each spindle or alternatively cut laminate to butt up against each spindle and glue down and leave expansion gap about 2" in front of spindles similar to how I would do if carpet left in place around spindles.
How do pros handle this situation? If you leave an expansion gap around each spindle what is the best way to cover the gap. (i.e. base molding around each spindle or just color match caulk to flooring). I am leaning toward option #1 based on desire to get finished before Thanksgiving and the thought that at a later time if desired I could simply remove t-molding and proceed to install laminate around spindles. If you cut to fit around each spindle and glue down does this result in a nicer finish. Any advice, suggestions or considerations?
How do you pros out there typcially handle the above situation. I'm a DIYer and this is my first experience with laminate flooring. So far I've installed approximately 600 sq ft with no major problems. Now I'm trying to install it in my dining room that overlooks the living room. Problem is I have about a rail with about 13 spindles that will need to be addressed. The room previously had a very thin pile berber carpet and I've laid about 2/3 of the laminate flooring down in this room but have now come to a point were I need to address the railings.
What is the best way to handle this situation? My thoughts are: option #1 leave carpet in place around spindles and just run laminate flooring up to about 2" in front of spindles and leave room for expansion gap and cover with t-molding (as depicted in pics) or Option #2 take up carpet around spindles and do entire area with laminate. My guess is that I would either need to leave an expansion gap around each spindle or alternatively cut laminate to butt up against each spindle and glue down and leave expansion gap about 2" in front of spindles similar to how I would do if carpet left in place around spindles.
How do pros handle this situation? If you leave an expansion gap around each spindle what is the best way to cover the gap. (i.e. base molding around each spindle or just color match caulk to flooring). I am leaning toward option #1 based on desire to get finished before Thanksgiving and the thought that at a later time if desired I could simply remove t-molding and proceed to install laminate around spindles. If you cut to fit around each spindle and glue down does this result in a nicer finish. Any advice, suggestions or considerations?
Last edited by scm100; 11-22-05 at 10:29 PM. Reason: Did not post hyperlinks correctly
#2
11-22-05, 12:16 PM
I may be way off but... can you take off the spindles, lay the laminate and then put it back?
BTW...either it's me or something else, but I can't see the pictures...I dunno if others can.
BTW...either it's me or something else, but I can't see the pictures...I dunno if others can.
#3
11-22-05, 05:31 PM
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It says I have to log on to see your pictures.
Remove the pickets. Something tells me your going to need a stair nose there, along the edge.
Remove the pickets. Something tells me your going to need a stair nose there, along the edge.
#4
11-23-05, 02:22 AM
Your balusters and newel posts will have to be removed. Then you would install a wide 5 1/4" landing nosing mitered at the corner. Then reinstall the railings. You still will need an expansion gap at the nosing using an end cap or square nose reducer. A t-mold may work too.
Your last picture showing leaving the carpet and connecting with a t-mold would be a lot less work for you and looks pretty good on my monitor.
Just remember, you cannot mount balusters or newel posts on "top" of a floating floor.
Good luck.
Your last picture showing leaving the carpet and connecting with a t-mold would be a lot less work for you and looks pretty good on my monitor.
Just remember, you cannot mount balusters or newel posts on "top" of a floating floor.
Good luck.
#5
11-23-05, 08:28 AM
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it's personal preference, but i think leaving that strip of carpet will look awful. it doesn't even look good now, the way it's hanging over the edge. please figure out a way to make it look like the spindles are sitting on the laminate! 
