Laminate Flooring - transition strips - urgent

[bby]

Hi,

We are having our previous laminate floors replaced. That flooring ran continuously from one large 20x 30 room to a couple of small hallways and to the bedrooms which are roughly 10x10. In other words, there were no transition strips between the laminate as it went to different rooms.

The guy who has started replacing with new laminate floors is coming back tomorrow and is just about to enter a bedroom and had cut the flooring at the doorway for a transition strip. Is this necessary for expansion or something? It is reversible before he goes further tomorrow, but not after that.

These are 12mm 4 inch wide, roughly 40 inches long planks. It seems to me that the right way to do it is without the transition strips, but i'm not sure.

If anyone is able to provide a quick reply, it would be most appreciated.

This is flooring over concrete radiant heating in case it makes a difference.

[patrob]

No need for transition pieces, especially if you do not want them. Less things to trip on plus looks better without. You only need transitions where there are actual transitions, when 2 different floors meet or change of direction of the planks is necessary. It's actually easier for him to put one in & but then you have to pay for it. So tell him not to install it :)

[bby]

Thank you!!

It is the same flooring throughout. I anticipate him saying that the transition is necessary to allow for expansion. I am not sure. So even with a 20x30 room that is meeting up with some hallway and then the 10x10 rooms, it is not necessary for transition?

I was a surprised as i've got a guy who is suppose to be quite experienced and presents himself as very professional in laying down the flooring.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[mork]

I'm no expert but I've installed 3 different laminate floors.. all 3 recommended transitions at certain intervals (particularly in the direction going with the length of the boards). As you guessed, this is to allow for expansion.

I'm not sure if your floor will buckle up or not. It's not too late to change, I imagine he just pulls the boards he's cut at the bedroom transition and replaces them with full (or differently cut) boards.

[Pinocchio]

Thank you!!

It is the same flooring throughout. I anticipate him saying that the transition is necessary to allow for expansion. I am not sure. So even with a 20x30 room that is meeting up with some hallway and then the 10x10 rooms, it is not necessary for transition?

I was a surprised as i've got a guy who is suppose to be quite experienced and presents himself as very professional in laying down the flooring.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Perhaps this link can help. It confirms what Patrob said & the expansion will take place near the wall.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Flooring-Carpeting-1621/Laminate-transition-pieces-thresholds.htm

[bby]

thanks!!

[Pete_Coach]

Transition strip are only for transitioning to different types of materials (hardwood to carpet or to tile etc).This just gives it a nice finished look.
The expansion is taken care of by the installation and keeping it away from the outer perimeter of the walls.

[mart242]

According to the installation sheet that came with my 10mm Kaindl laminate, they say that I need to put an expansion / transition strip if the room is more than 10 meters long or 8 meters wide? That's in addition to the 10 - 15mm gap all around the room

I can just disregard that and install it continuous ?

[patrob]

According to the installation sheet that came with my 10mm Kaindl laminate, they say that I need to put an expansion / transition strip if the room is more than 10 meters long or 8 meters wide? That's in addition to the 10 - 15mm gap all around the room

I can just disregard that and install it continuous ?

Every manufacturer says diff. things. Your says 30 ft., Torlys says 50 ft., others say more. There is totally no need to split your basement in half or hallway from bedrooms. My husband has installed conference/meeting rooms that were more than 50 ft. & if you leave enough expansion around the walls, you can stretch the distance & that's after confirming with the manufacturer. Plus why have an extra threshold to trip on & looks much better without it ;)

[mart242]

Every manufacturer says diff. things. Your says 30 ft., Torlys says 50 ft., others say more. There is totally no need to split your basement in half or hallway from bedrooms. My husband has installed conference/meeting rooms that were more than 50 ft. & if you leave enough expansion around the walls, you can stretch the distance & that's after confirming with the manufacturer. Plus why have an extra threshold to trip on & looks much better without it ;)

Ok, I guess I'll play it safe and put one. It would be in the doorway that leads to the storage side of the basement anyways so not really visible. I would definitely NOT put one in the center of a room!