Need A Little Advice On Laminate Install

Vabuilder

Hey guys, I'm going to be bidding on a laminate install that include a set of steps which I've never done before. I need some advice on dealing with the ballusters on the steps, currently there is carpet everywhere. should I under cut the ballusters enough to get the laminate under them and then toe nail the ballusters to the laminate ??? please give me some help with this.

thanks,

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genecarp

you should be able to remove the ballusters, then reinstall, make the customer aware that painting, will probably be required after completion. most ballusters will pop out with a little persuation.

Floordude

Don't float it on the stairs!! Fully glued, and tight to the walls. Just like wood strips on steps.

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orson

I would try to get a baluster loose to see how it's attatched. If there are dowel screws in the balusters you are going to have a hell of a time undercutting them.

GoodHouse

Laminate should not be on steps, particularly open ended steps with spindles such as you describe.

Laminate was never inteneded for that use. Persuade the client to change to a carpet or have sanded / finished.

Vabuilder

thanks Guys, I've been doing some research and kind of figured that laminate is not made for open ended steps. I'll talk to the customer and see where we land.

thanks again,

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lawndart

Couldn't agree more. I would walk away from the job if the customer insisted on it. Actually I have on quite a few over the past few years. Explain that their best option is to stain the steps to match closely.

eurofloors

Hey gusy!!! is Snap-in Synthetic Wood Flooring the same as laminate flooring?

PrecisionFloors

No offense man, but you might not have the skill set required to install laminate on steps.....that doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be done So why does Wilsonart make one piece stair treads again?? To do the job right you take the hand rails and balusters off and reinstall after the treads go down. As far as steps with returns go, thats what a scms and a router is for.

VAbuilder if you still need this done, I'm in Hampton and wouldn't mind looking the job over for you and giving you an estimate. It won't be cheap, and I couldn't get to it until mid April but the offer is there fwiw. It CAN be done, if done the right way.

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PrecisionFloors

No.

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

PrecisionFloors

Learn how to accommodate your customers wants and needs and your reputation and profit margin will increase exponentially. If you tell a customer something "can't" be done because you don't know how to do it and they find out otherwise it makes you look less than professional.

Dart don't take that the wrong way....I know you are a pro and do quality work. Just throwin food for thought out there.

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"