GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » flooring, glue down or floating?
flooring, glue down or floating? [message #303958] Fri, 22 July 2016 06:46 Go to next message
kstockwell is currently offline  kstockwell   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
Senior Member
In august I want to rip out the carpet and put in cork.

Which is preferred, floating or glue down?

Do people install lengthwise or widthwise. Lengthwise might make me feel like I'm in a hallway. I'm also looking at the larger cork "tiles" so it wouldn't matter as much.

And as I understand it the process is:
rip out the nasty smelly carpet and cushion (this will be the most fun and rewarding)
lay down plastic and sub flooring (how thick plywood?) make sure it's level/smooth (this will make me swear and wonder why I ripped out the carpet)
put down flooring (I'll go through 2x the amount of flooring I thought I needed)

i have a couch and two swivel chairs. I think I'll go up to the couch and around the swivel chairs (I don't think I need to remove them.
I may go up the stairs, I'm not sure how angry/frustrated I'll get. I have a permanent bed in the back with carpet up the walls around the cut out, do I cork those walls?

thanks, sorry it's not a electrical/mechanical/plumbing question.

-kelly


1978 Kingsley Putney VT
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #303962 is a reply to message #303958] Fri, 22 July 2016 08:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I like to do things such that they can be maintained. When I redid my interior walls I used all exposed fasteners, I can pull
the wall off in 1/2 an hour and put it back in with no damage.
I have wood flooring in my coach, it's all glued in. Very hard to fix. I have some water damage, the boards are curled, not looking forward to fixing that.
But wood floors are very nice, worth the effort IMHO



>
> In august I want to rip out the carpet and put in cork.
>
> Which is preferred, floating or glue down?
>
> Do people install lengthwise or widthwise. Lengthwise might make me feel like I'm in a hallway. I'm also looking at the larger cork "tiles" so it
> wouldn't matter as much.
>
> And as I understand it the process is:
> rip out the nasty smelly carpet and cushion (this will be the most fun and rewarding)
> lay down plastic and sub flooring (how thick plywood?) make sure it's level/smooth (this will make me swear and wonder why I ripped out the carpet)
> put down flooring (I'll go through 2x the amount of flooring I thought I needed)
>
> i have a couch and two swivel chairs. I think I'll go up to the couch and around the swivel chairs (I don't think I need to remove them.
> I may go up the stairs, I'm not sure how angry/frustrated I'll get. I have a permanent bed in the back with carpet up the walls around the cut out,
> do I cork those walls?
>
> thanks, sorry it's not a electrical/mechanical/plumbing question.
>
> -kelly
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #303965 is a reply to message #303958] Fri, 22 July 2016 08:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steve is currently offline  Steve   United States
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
Senior Member
I don't know about cork specifically, but my opinion would generally be to float flooring, particularly laminate and wood.

1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304015 is a reply to message #303962] Sat, 23 July 2016 00:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BobDunahugh is currently offline  BobDunahugh   United States
Messages: 2465
Registered: October 2010
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Karma: 11
Senior Member
I put down a foam backed carpet with rattle trap sound deadening under that carpet over the engine area. On the trip to Branson. I was very pleased with the sound reduction. Next I'm installing a floating wood laminate looking vinyl planking. With this product. Water, and spills will have no affect on the flooring. As that was a problem in the burned GMC.

Bob Dunahugh
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304045 is a reply to message #304015] Sat, 23 July 2016 13:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Justin Brady is currently offline  Justin Brady   United States
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
Senior Member
Floating is almost always better for floors.
The glue is no match for mother nature and eventually will create a problem. When everything wants to move with humidity changes but it's all glued down it isn't going to react in a nice way.
just my opinion


Justin Brady http://www.thegmcrv.com/ 1976 Palm Beach 455
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304046 is a reply to message #303958] Sat, 23 July 2016 13:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dan Borlase is currently offline  Dan Borlase   Canada
Messages: 743
Registered: May 2008
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I put in cork "click" flooring length ways. Your sub floor does not need additional material on top of it, so the procedure in simple.
Strip out your couch and anything else that might be in the way.
Lay down the (same as you would in a home application) plastic sound deadener recommended by your cork flooring retailer, applying just enough staples to hold things in place, then measure, cut and install the flooring product as you see fit. DO NOT GLUE ! Apply whatever trim you want which will hold the product where you have put it.
Ours have been in place for nine(9) years with no major issues. Warm on the feet and very ease to sweep out and wash!!
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304061 is a reply to message #304046] Sat, 23 July 2016 17:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
Senior Member
Hello,

is there a reason, why one first needs to rip out the old soft material
that GMC put under the carpet, before adding some new soft material to
put any kind of new flooring on?

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA


_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304062 is a reply to message #304061] Sat, 23 July 2016 17:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Odor, vermin, dirt, un-eveness, general principles...

Ken H.


On Sat, Jul 23, 2016 at 6:32 PM, Peer Oliver Schmidt GMC <
posde@theinternet.de> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> is there a reason, why one first needs to rip out the old soft material
> that GMC put under the carpet, before adding some new soft material to
> put any kind of new flooring on?
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304064 is a reply to message #304062] Sat, 23 July 2016 18:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
On my Royale, the only thing under that red/orange shaggy carpet was dirt
and mouse droppings on top of the 1 inch thick plywood. No underlayment or
pads anywhere. Coachman did that. Maybe GMC did it differently.
Jim Hupy
On Jul 23, 2016 3:51 PM, "Ken Henderson" wrote:

> Odor, vermin, dirt, un-eveness, general principles...
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 23, 2016 at 6:32 PM, Peer Oliver Schmidt GMC posde@theinternet.de> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> is there a reason, why one first needs to rip out the old soft material
>> that GMC put under the carpet, before adding some new soft material to
>> put any kind of new flooring on?
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304068 is a reply to message #303958] Sat, 23 July 2016 18:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Just from walking on them, my GMC finished has something or other under the carpet, while the Norris upfit - or the Sirum replacement, I'm not sure which - doesn't have it.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304070 is a reply to message #304062] Sat, 23 July 2016 20:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
Senior Member
Ken
> Odor, vermin, dirt, un-eveness, general principles...
>
This orange looking stuff between carpet and wood doesn't smell (or I
can't smell) bad. General principle would need more explanantion,
un-eveness I could understand as a main issue. Would that cause issues
with laminate or something like that?

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA


_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304071 is a reply to message #304070] Sat, 23 July 2016 21:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bdub is currently offline  bdub   United States
Messages: 1578
Registered: February 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 5
Senior Member

Carpet padding is too thick for laminate. It's also very inexpensive in
case you put down more carpet. You'll be very surprised when you take it
up how much dirt it holds.

bdub

On Sat, Jul 23, 2016 at 8:10 PM, Peer Oliver Schmidt GMC wrote:

> Ken
>> Odor, vermin, dirt, un-eveness, general principles...
>>
> This orange looking stuff between carpet and wood doesn't smell (or I
> can't smell) bad. General principle would need more explanantion,
> un-eveness I could understand as a main issue. Would that cause issues
> with laminate or something like that?
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



bdub
'76 Palm Beach/Central Texas
www.bdub.net
www.gmcmhphotos.com
www.gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com
www.gmcmhregistry.com
www.facebook.com/groups/classicgmcmotorhomes
www.facebook.com/groups/gmcmm
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304085 is a reply to message #304046] Sun, 24 July 2016 07:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kstockwell is currently offline  kstockwell   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Thanks! any photos? Did you use the 36"x12" planks or thin planks and what kind and how many sq feet did you get?

and finally, I was considering leaving the couch. It's already a replacement item, just a frame. I thought you didn't want to put heavy things over the cork so I figured I'd go up to the wood couch wall and end it, but I can pull the one board and go under and reinstall over it (would it dent? do I care?)

I have padding under the current maroon carpet.

cheers
kelly



Dan Borlase wrote on Sat, 23 July 2016 14:47
I put in cork "click" flooring length ways. Your sub floor does not need additional material on top of it, so the procedure in simple.
Strip out your couch and anything else that might be in the way.
Lay down the (same as you would in a home application) plastic sound deadener recommended by your cork flooring retailer, applying just enough staples to hold things in place, then measure, cut and install the flooring product as you see fit. DO NOT GLUE ! Apply whatever trim you want which will hold the product where you have put it.
Ours have been in place for nine(9) years with no major issues. Warm on the feet and very ease to sweep out and wash!!


1978 Kingsley Putney VT

[Updated on: Sun, 24 July 2016 07:33]

Report message to a moderator

Re: [GMCnet] flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304090 is a reply to message #304071] Sun, 24 July 2016 07:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
Senior Member
Billy,
> Carpet padding is too thick for laminate.

that was the information I was after. So it will go out. Now SWMBO just
has to decide on the new look of the floor that she wants.

Thanks a bunch.

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA


_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304123 is a reply to message #304085] Sun, 24 July 2016 12:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dan Borlase is currently offline  Dan Borlase   Canada
Messages: 743
Registered: May 2008
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Kelly, I used 5" X 4' planks, ease to handle. The reason for clearing things from the coach is that I wanted a complete floor covering...improved sound barrier and insulation. This is a very ease upgrade (in my opinion) and you will not regret your effort.
Sorry, I still don't know how to do the photo thing.
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #304124 is a reply to message #304123] Sun, 24 July 2016 12:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kstockwell is currently offline  kstockwell   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
Senior Member
lol, you can email me at snowsto at gmail dot com

thanks for the suggestion. taking out the couch wouldn't be hard and sounds like it will be worth it

kelly


1978 Kingsley Putney VT
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #305416 is a reply to message #304046] Mon, 15 August 2016 07:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kstockwell is currently offline  kstockwell   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Dan,

Did you alter the P-trap for the shower? It protrudes into the hallway a bit and makes it miss
Flat to 3/16" per 10-foot radius"

It's lumpy over the P-trap

Flooring is of course on back order, it arrives the end of the month
http://www.usfloorsllc.com/product-category/natural-cork-4/cork-deco/#/flooring-products/cubis-natural

kelly



Dan Borlase wrote on Sat, 23 July 2016 14:47
I put in cork "click" flooring length ways. Your sub floor does not need additional material on top of it, so the procedure in simple.
Strip out your couch and anything else that might be in the way.
Lay down the (same as you would in a home application) plastic sound deadener recommended by your cork flooring retailer, applying just enough staples to hold things in place, then measure, cut and install the flooring product as you see fit. DO NOT GLUE ! Apply whatever trim you want which will hold the product where you have put it.
Ours have been in place for nine(9) years with no major issues. Warm on the feet and very ease to sweep out and wash!!


1978 Kingsley Putney VT
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #305422 is a reply to message #305416] Mon, 15 August 2016 09:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
Senior Member
While you have the bare plywood exposed, consider applying a coat of 'Kiltz' or equivalent. I have done this on every laminate floor that I have installed (around 10 rooms worth). Blocks water and accumulated orders that have soaked into the subfloor over the years.
Post photos please, this is on my 'nice to do list.'
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #305425 is a reply to message #305422] Mon, 15 August 2016 09:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kstockwell is currently offline  kstockwell   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Will do, I have an extra weekend before the flooring arrives and need something to keep myself busy.
Spent last weekend measuring for new cabinet faces, and now maybe a new cabinet front...

I've never done floors before so at the very least I can serve as a warning for what not to do.

http://aestheticblasphemy.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mistakes.jpg?itok=hBr1vDJX
kelly

tphipps wrote on Mon, 15 August 2016 10:13
While you have the bare plywood exposed, consider applying a coat of 'Kiltz' or equivalent. I have done this on every laminate floor that I have installed (around 10 rooms worth). Blocks water and accumulated orders that have soaked into the subfloor over the years.
Post photos please, this is on my 'nice to do list.'
Tom, MS II



1978 Kingsley Putney VT

[Updated on: Mon, 15 August 2016 09:27]

Report message to a moderator

Re: flooring, glue down or floating? [message #305426 is a reply to message #305416] Mon, 15 August 2016 11:03 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
wally is currently offline  wally   United States
Messages: 643
Registered: August 2004
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Karma: 5
Senior Member
To cover where the shower trap well extends in the hallway I made an aluminium cover out of embossed sheet. Hammered over a suitable round form to roll a lip. Filed the lip to the proper depth and drilled holes to match existing mounting. Most of the time there is a throw rug over it. This is our third floor and is now just slap and stick vinyl.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/power-level-valve-fitting/p61125-trap-cover.html
Not as good as Kerry Pinkerton's aluminium metal work but I'm happy with it
kstockwell wrote on Mon, 15 August 2016 07:46
Dan,

Did you alter the P-trap for the shower? It protrudes into the hallway a bit and makes it miss
Flat to 3/16" per 10-foot radius"

It's lumpy over the P-trap

Flooring is of course on back order, it arrives the end of the month
http://www.usfloorsllc.com/product-category/natural-cork-4/cork-deco/#/flooring-products/cubis-natural

kelly
.


Dan Borlase wrote on Sat, 23 July 2016 14:47
I put in cork "click" flooring length ways. Your sub floor does not need additional material on top of it, so the procedure in simple.
Strip out your couch and anything else that might be in the way.
Lay down the (same as you would in a home application) plastic sound deadener recommended by your cork flooring retailer, applying just enough staples to hold things in place, then measure, cut and install the flooring product as you see fit. DO NOT GLUE ! Apply whatever trim you want which will hold the product where you have put it.
Ours have been in place for nine(9) years with no major issues. Warm on the feet and very ease to sweep out and wash!!



Wally Anderson
Omaha NE
75 Glenbrook
Previous Topic: Re: [GMCnet] Gmclist Digest, Vol 97, Issue 67
Next Topic: [GMCnet] (no subject)
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Thu Nov 14 09:49:20 CST 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01523 seconds