Flooring for dummies

[MNmikew]

OK, the shack is coming right along. It's wired, insulated, rocked, taped/textured and painted. On to flooring. We're planning on Armstrong sheet vinyl which says is glueless. From what I read on the pkg it says you only need the tape on the seems and under heavy appliances? Is this right? Wouldnt you need it on all edges?

I'm also going to put down some type of attached pad carpet. What is the best way to attach this? Tack strips or tape? Any pointers for a flooring challanged person would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[The_Duckslayer]

Hint on what not to do: I put some peel and stick tile squares in the basement. I have been extremely unhappy with it! The seams are seperating and in the area of my desk it is peeling up at the edges. Won't do that again any time soon! Take care and N Joy the hunt././Jimbo

[GotOne]

What do you mean by "shack". Need to know what type of place (home or hunting shack) the flooring is going to be installed before I can offer some advise. What is the subfloor? Will it be heated year around? Might be pretty slippery if hunting shack (sheet vinyl/tile). Double sticky back tape for the carpet.

[polarsusd81]

Mike,

Attached pad carpet is pretty easy to install. Do not use tack strips however though as they will just pull off the pad on the back of the carpet. You need to use tape to lay it down. First lay the tape out in the room without peeling the carpet side backing off and position your carpet. Trim to fit then get a buddy to help with the tape peeling. One or more people should stand on the carpet (1/2 of the room) while another goes crawling under the other half peeling the tape starting in the center of the room. It is best to roll the carpet up on itself and crawl back in and roll it out. Also be dang sure you clean the floor really good before you apply the tape or its a waste of time.

I did it all myself in the basement of my house and it was tough but came out great. Just takes about twice as long doing it by yourself.

[traveler]

With all due respect, attached pad carpet is garbage. I've been in installer for near 30 years, and I try like heck to talk my customers into a strip/pad stretch-in installation. More up front cost (including installation, as it isn't a do it yourself job), but for the money you spend on carpet, it pays in the long run to do it right. Unless it really IS a shack:)

[sparcebag]

Traveler YEP! I'd rather have a large throw rug,I could hang it out in spring!

I just saw my first no stick no tape Vinyl,It seems OK the joints get taped and fused with a epxoy from on top. (finished side)Its new so I cant yet say if its OK or not,Time will tell

[GotOne]

Mike, There are some options for carpet with attached cushion. First off, Kangaback and Enhancer back are a couple that come to mind. If you buy a carpet with Kangaback make sure the carpet has a good face weight. Enhancer is a backing system that was developed for the commercial market so you sure can use it in a residential installation. Enhancer is supposed to be glued direct to the subfloor..but it's heavy enough that you could probably loose-lay it(voids warranty). There are temperature minimums that you are going to have to follow or you are most likely going to get bubbles/ripples in both the carpet and vinyl. I'll bet Armstrong's installation info will say that temp must be maintained between 65 and 95 degrees....carpet in that range also. Let us know if house or "shack". BTW, you can buy low end carpet and separate cushion and get a piece of junk also. If you go the carpet and separate cushion route-use better quality carpet and cushion or you will be no better off than low end carpet on attached cushion backing. If you have the carpet professionally installed, (stretch-in) make sure the installer follows the Carpet And Rug Institutes installation guide lines, which includes power stretching the carpet.

[traveler]

Wallabee is correct about the cheap stretch in carpet; but I'll stick with my recomendation; ALL attached back carpet is junk, just to varying degrees. And enhancer back is plain murder to install...

[MNmikew]

Well, it started out as a shack but due to County regs its more like a cabin now. Will be mostly used three seasons with an winter weeked here and there.

The subfloor is plywood and not insulated. I'll be putting down 1/4" luan under the vinyl.

[MNmikew]

What is the best way to clean the floor? Its pretty much covered in sheetrock dust and paint now.

[GotOne]

Sweep and vacuum the subfloor. Here is the temp requirements from Armstrongs HSOforum.

Subfloor preparation:

Store flooring in the room in which you plan to install for 48 hours. Keep room at minimum of 65° F (18° C) during that time and during installation. After installation, temperature should not fall below 65° F (18° C) for the first 48 hours, and not below 55° F (13° C) after that.

If room is heated by radiant coils in the subfloor, the temperature of the floor surface should not exceed 85° F (29° C).

Install over smooth, well-bonded resilient floors; dry concrete; and wood floors with a plywood overlay.

Subfloor must be level, clean, and free of wax, grease, oil, or dust.

If necessary, patch or fill any cracks with S-184 Fast-Setting Patch and Underlayment.

Use Armstrong One-Part Embossing Leveler to smooth any texture or embossing on the old floor.

From me: The vinyl floor will most likely ripple/bubble and will get brittle (crack & chip) when cold. Whats under the wooden subfloor? I'll stick with what I said about Kangaback, if you want a DIY installation and keep it under a certain price point. Again, with a stretch-in installation, minimum temp in the home is 65 degree.

[MNmikew]

Well I picked up the flooring and supplies last night. Heading out in an hour to do battle.

Seeing this is mainily a deer shack I went with a commerical grade foam backed carpet and a glueless vinyl flooring. Got the carpet glue, flooring tape, carpet knife, ect. The vinyl is going on top of 1/4" luan plywood and carpet directly on floor.

Nice weekend coming up, too bad it's inside work