Laminate flooring - Use Cork beading or expanding foam

StephenS147

Hi all,

Here's the photo of the work below. I was thinking of foaming the expansion gap and trimming off the excess once cured at the 8mm minimum gap as specified by the manufacturer. There's these Cork beads on screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/vitrex-cork-expansion-strips-0-6m-x-12-5mm-18-pack/6257h which are for the job but I feel expanding foam would work just as well seeing as it's used in windows and doors to seal and aid with expansion.

What's your guys thoughts?

heffo500

Any time, I've laid a laminate floor. I would leave an 8 to 10 mm gap around or whatever the manufacturer states. Then I usually use an offcut of skirting to ensure the gap is not too big so the skirting will cover it.

I would not fill the gap at all.

listermint

Don't bother. You won't need it.

Skirting to finish.

StephenS147

heffo500 wrote: »

Any time, I've laid a laminate floor. I would leave an 8 to 10 mm gap around or whatever the manufacturer states. Then I usually use an offcut of skirting to ensure the gap is not too big so the skirting will cover it.

I would not fill the gap at all.

That's precisely how I fitted it. But was just curious if expanding foam would still allow the expansion to happen in a controlled manner.

I just watched this video at the 25:30 min mark and he says to use a bead as shown. https://youtu.be/OiLmSszm2qA

Ginger83

heffo500 wrote: »

Any time, I've laid a laminate floor. I would leave an 8 to 10 mm gap around or whatever the manufacturer states. Then I usually use an offcut of skirting to ensure the gap is not too big so the skirting will cover it.

I would not fill the gap at all.

I would do the same or use a quadrant beading to match.

StephenS147

Ginger83 wrote: »

I would do the same or use a quadrant beading to match.

Skirting is 18mm thick so will adequately cover the gap so no beading.

heffo500

StephenS147 wrote: »

That's precisely how I fitted it. But was just curious if expanding foam would still allow the expansion to happen in a controlled manner.

I just watched this video at the 25:30 min mark and he says to use a bead as shown. https://youtu.be/OiLmSszm2qA

Tbh I don't see the value in it. If the manufacturer instructions don't state that I wouldn't. I doubt the floor will go anywhere.

listermint

StephenS147 wrote: »

That's precisely how I fitted it. But was just curious if expanding foam would still allow the expansion to happen in a controlled manner.

I just watched this video at the 25:30 min mark and he says to use a bead as shown. https://youtu.be/OiLmSszm2qA

The floors going nowhere.

Especially once furniture is in there. Cork is a waste of time and money. Start on your skirting.

heffo500

Nice floor btw, looks well.

StephenS147

Right then so, Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, onto the skirting I go.

Thanks all.

Ginger83

StephenS147 wrote: »

Skirting is 18mm thick so will adequately cover the gap so no beading.

Sorry I meant I use beading if skirting is not removed.

Nice floor, what is it?

StephenS147

Ginger83 wrote: »

Sorry I meant I use beading if skirting is not removed.

Nice floor, what is it?

Skirting was taken off and putting new in.

The product is from Murphy Larkins at €21.48 sqm.

https://murphylarkin.com/Balterio-Magnitude-Blackfired-Oak

Ginger83

StephenS147 wrote: »

Skirting was taken off and putting new in.

The product is from Murphy Larkins at €21.48 sqm.

https://murphylarkin.com/Balterio-Magnitude-Blackfired-Oak

Thanks very nice. I have a Balterio walnut in the kids bedroom while they are young in case of spillages etc and it's doing quite well considering the use it gets.

StephenS147

Ginger83 wrote: »

Thanks very nice. I have a Balterio walnut in the kids bedroom while they are young in case of spillages etc and it's doing quite well considering the use it gets.

So it can withstand spills? I know there's a different range in Balterio that is. Is that what you have? Mine is the FXP type.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.balterio.com/-/media/imported%2520assets/flooring/c/e/a/btoinstallationlmpenpdf106573.ashx%3Frev%3D3bb06c894f81400a9f62ce3ba53f9bfe%26type%3Doriginal%26filename%3DInstallation%2Binstructions%2BBalterio%2BLaminate%2B-%2BLMP.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi9vvfnio3uAhV-RBUIHX98AjwQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw1I7qi9dnJtvdMl-wSyRyn1

heffo500

heffo500 wrote: »

Nice floor btw, looks well.

Not exactly"wrong" but the joints should be staggered for a more natural look.
That's a H pattern

listermint

BrownFinger wrote: »

Not exactly"wrong" but the joints should be staggered for a more natural look.
That's a H pattern

I don't make out one perfect H in the entire thing though

StephenS147

Is this not a H pattern?



I followed the manufacturers instructions.

listermint

StephenS147 wrote: »

Is this not a H pattern?



I followed the manufacturers instructions.

It is. And he didn't look at the image enough.

Alright I take it back.
Good job