We are going to have a soft spot in the floor repaired on our small 5th wheel. Some floor covering will have to be removed anyway so we are thinking of just having it all removed then replacing it ourselves with the snap together laminate flooring. Except for some tricky cutting, seems fairly easy? Anything we should watch out for or know about or any difficulties not apparent?
Since you have no slide to deal with, it should be an easy installation. If you use Allure (vinyl laminate from Home Depot) or similar, just be sure to heat and roll the edges where the glues overlap; otherwise, the pieces tend to work apart. Most of the compressed laminates (Pergo, etc.) are thicker but snap and stay together well. The most common problem with them is expansion causing lifting of the flooring - a sort of bubble where the floor goes up and down when you walk on it. So leave at least 1/4" around the edges (cover it with trim). You can use silicon caulking in the edge gap to help hold the floor in place and keep water out. With any flooring, be sure the sub floor is smooth and level or it will cause a problem with the laminate installation.
We've done many floor installations (laminate, tile, wood, carpet, vinyl). We learned the secret to a good installation is taking the time and doing the research to do a proper installation.
Marv
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK (20K GVWR, tandem duals)
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
Had one in our 2000 DSDP, after the third one was ruined by water (spilled dog dish) and what real Pergo looks like after the same thing in a stick house I won't have one again. We ordered our present DSDP with tile look vinyl tiles. Even Newmar owners with real tile in theirs didn't realize ours was vinyl. Personally that's what I'd look for and use..
We love the wood look laminate floor, and I have installed it in our entire house, after trying it out in one bed room for a few years.
It is completely maintenance free and stands up to spills and stains much better then wood.
With that said, you might want to consider the weight factor before you do it. It is going to add a lot of weight to your RV.
Estimate the quantity that you will need, and get the total weight of what you will be doing.
Also, keep in mind that it is a "floating" floor, and you must leave a 1/4" space on the entire perimeter. This requires the use of a 1/4 round molding, which must be attached to the walls and what ever else the laminate is next to, and it can't be attached to the floor. It must be attached to the side walls and or cabinets, etc.
In all my rooms I pre drilled pilot holes in all of the quarter round for brads, prior to installing each piece.
I also made all my own thresholds out of matching oak, and they also overlap the laminate, so it floats under them.
I wouldn't attempt it without having a table saw, since your rip and cross cuts should all be perfect
We have laminate floors in our stick house and love it. I installed a cushioned sheet vinyl in our Class C before we sold it, and it turned out great. Called Earthscapes. Softer, quieter and warmer. It is floating, so no glue at all. Our new to us Class A has decent floors now, but when it is time will probably use the vinyl again.
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