Removing old flooring and enhancing exisiting floor?

[Andy R]

I want to pull up the old vinyl flooring and install new Pergo "style" wood laminate. Who has the best method for tearing the floor out?

Also, what can I cover the wood with in order to protect it? I have seen use of Epoxy fillers when the floor is damaged or rotted? Would that also work to seal and protect the wood prior to installing the new flooring?

[ALANSD]

I saw some great posts on either VAC list or Yahoo Airstream list on epoxy filling the floor areas to make it more solid. They were quite extensive , so maybe you will be able to search and find them.
Also I like the Pergo idea. I have had it in my home for 4 years now and have only had to clean it with mild white vinegar and water solution. It takes the abuse of 2 kids and a dog and cat with no wear showing.
I have an extra box from the house that I want to use to do my kitchen area in the Motorhome. P Hausman did a nice job in his with hardwood.

[PeterH-350LE]

Since Pergo is a 'floating floor', why not install over the vinyl? Saves you a lot of work. Just put down the foam and install the pergo.
Pergo also wants a little room for expanding/contracting due to humidity. If you srew it down permantly around all the edges, you may experience buckling.

Mine is almost 1 year old and holding up good so far. (Except the one rivet that got away, when I did the skin and got stepped on)

[montanaandy]

Wow! The Pergo flooring looks great. I saw in another forum that cork had been used (really nice also) but the idea of floating the flooring over the existing vinyl without having to rip out the existing vinyl really appeals to me. How difficult was it to install the Pergo? AJ

[Jim W]

I installed about a 1000 sq ft of Pergo in my house about 3 years ago & it holds up real well & it still looks like new. It was easy to install. I put SOB ( some other brand ) in one bathroom that you don't have to glue that was a little easier to install, but you still have to glue any areas around bath tubs & sinks where water may get on the floor, so its not much easier. I wouldn't hesitate to put pergo in my A/S. We had the water line to the ice maker come off & flooded the kitchen one time ( we cleaned it up quickly) & it didn't even hurt the Purgo.