Flooring ideas

[ALANSD]

I have seen pergo type flooring, hardwood, etc...in Airstreams. I would like to see or hear about what your choices were, as I would like to redo my kitchen area to just past the door. I have considered redoing all the carpet with something new like a berber- right now it is a medium brown pile, fairly thick.
My concern with pergo or wood is noise increasing, it's already not the quietest interior on the road.

[Pahaska]

I was over at Home Depot Friday evening looking at all the choices for wood floors. I would like to change just the galley area of my International to wood, from the back if the trailer to the front edge of the bathroom. I did notice that HD has a thin blue foam underlayment that should reduce noise quite a bit while adding a little bit of insulation. I have so little area that I don't need a full package of most of the different flooring choices.

I liked some of the other brands better than Pergo because they seemed to me to match the cabinetry better. All the brands I liked were in the same price range as Pergo.

I still have the plastic on the galley carpet , but I know it won't last forever. I have a mat, also, but it skates around on the plastic.

[sbernasconi9]

Another option to consider is cork flooring. It can be sealed to resist staining and is both soft underfoot and pretty good with accoustics. Its something you often must order off the web as it is not a standard item is such places as Home Depot. Some vintage AS folks have used it before. By researching, you may find it appropriate for your use.

[winner]

Alan, we re-carpeted the lounge area back to a point just in from of the doorway (diagonal line across to end of sofa bed, and then ran Pergo from that point to a line just aft of the corner of the shower (diagonal line across to curner of furnace) leading to existing carpet into bedroom. It is very nice - the color of the Pergo closely matches our cabinetry, give the entire coach an integrated look and we don't feel that it has created any noice. Optically, it give the impression of greater length to the coach and ties the three areas - lounge, galley hall and bedroom nicely together. Total cost - Pergo $170 - carpet and pad $97 tack boards $18.00 mouldings $30. rent of kicker $30.00 When we purchased the Pergo, we noted two different wood colors, and opted for the version that has the light blue "padding" attached. We did not care for the Pergo that did not have the padding attached.

[uwe]

Also look at the Ikea flooring. They have a good value and it literally lasts forever. They have other colors as well, not just the usual Home Depot ones. I am not sure if Ikea stores are Nationwide, we have quite a few of them in California.

[kim McCumber]

i am doing my sisters 57 overlander in pergo will send pics if anyone is intrested in info of how or why

[Phil and/or Sue]

Originally Posted by kim McCumber

i am doing my sisters 57 overlander in pergo will send pics if anyone is intrested in info of how or why

Howdy, Kim. I am interested in all these potential flooring materials, and would love to see a pic or two of the flooring that you're putting down. I suspect that others would like you to see it too, so maybe you could attach one or two here.

Isn't Pergo a floating floor? On each of these options, how is expansion accommodated? I think I'll talk to some flooring guys at work (Home Depot) and see what they suggest. I need a floor in my '73 31' project.

[kneal]

I am going through the process right now and just picked up some cork flooring. It is relatively inexpensive if you get it from the right place and is a floating floor. A picture of the material I purchased is attached. Good Luck....

[FrenchBern]

I installed a composite floor full length in my 70 Overlander. I laid mine lengthwise and don't recommend it. Looks great but harder to lay and repair. I tested Armstrong @ $4 ft2 for swelling and it did good. I bought a different brand from Sams club for $1.25 per ft2 . I regret buying that cheaper material. The color is natural maple, pretty but shows dirt too easely.

[Phil and/or Sue]

Originally Posted by kneal

I am going through the process right now and just picked up some cork flooring. It is relatively inexpensive if you get it from the right place and is a floating floor. A picture of the material I purchased is attached. Good Luck....

Thanks for posting a pic. KNeal! Since you'll be at SpringStream, I am hoping that you can let us look at it.

[Phil and/or Sue]

Originally Posted by FrenchBern

I installed a composite floor full length in my 70 Overlander. I laid mine lengthwise and don't recommend it. Looks great but harder to lay and repair. I tested Armstrong @ $4 ft2 for swelling and it did good. I bought a different brand from Sams club for $1.25 per ft2 . I regret buying that cheaper material. The color is natural maple, pretty but shows dirt too easely.

I am leaning toward a composite floor, something with wood on top and pad attached. When you said not to lay it lengthwise, what alternatives would you consider if doing it again? I considered crossways (lots of short boards), diagonal, some sort of pattern, parkay, or herringbone style. I thought lengthwise might be best, with carpet in the rear bedroom and some sheet goods in the bathroom.

For the low number of square feet, I will probably go for a little more expensive material. I am worried about expansion though and I forgot to ask my fellow associates at work. Maybe I will remember to mix work with play questions tomorrow.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Thealt]

I purchased some Pergo Signature series flooring. I haven't installed it yet, but I got a pretty good deal on it as it was the last 4 boxes they had at Lowes. 15 bucks a box; and in the lighter color I wanted.
Will install down the length of the trailer mostly as due to fewer cuts, less waste, recommended way asthetically to install (flooring should run the length of a room).
I will put a moisture barrier under it to float it. Likely also I will run it under the cabinets when I rebuild them too. Just need warmer weather.
Also, don't know if you will notice the noise too much. The original designs had tile and pergo is a more dead sounding product than tile. Guess you could put homosote in noisy areas if you really wanted to kill noise. Not like you are riding in the trailer, so for camping, I couldn't think the noise would be that bad.
Alt

[camperski]

I used Pergo, installed as a floating floor, wall to wall. You can see pics of it on my link "inside the 1969" This flooring had the styrofoam backing in place on each plank. The floating floor lets the trailer twist and move without the floor having to withstand those stress. It was also very thin flooring whch meant I didn't have to trim cabinet and closet doors for clearance. so far its working well...

[Fyrzowt]

I have laminate flooring (Pergo style) in both my house and GT. Noise is not an issue for me, but is a bit noisier than carpet. One thing we have done in the A/S is to place throw rugs, mainly for warmth. Laminate is colder in the winter than carpet. Definately easier to sweep laminate than carpet when boondocking!
As far as install, lay the floor leaving the recommended expansion gap around the edges. Place baseboard or corner moulding over the top at the walls/cabinets to cover the gap.
I thought it was easier to lay lengthwise.
I'll post photos if I can find them.
Dave

[Fyrzowt]

Here is one taken by the PO. Sorry I don't have better.

[str8strm]

stay with carpet. We are now cleaning the floors twice a day since we see all the dog hair, dirt, etc. We love the look of the floors but maintenance has gone thru the roof

[Fyrzowt]

Swiffer!

[Phil and/or Sue]

Originally Posted by str8strm

stay with carpet. We are now cleaning the floors twice a day since we see all the dog hair, dirt, etc. We love the look of the floors but maintenance has gone thru the roof...

But maybe you now see the actual evidence of why my wife and I are going for more hard floors, and less carpet. The dog hair and dirt are going to be there whether we put in carpet or hard floors. Since I want to get rid of the allergens, the hard floors allow us to see what's there and clean easily. And although what we didn't see in the carpet made it longer between vacuumming, it seemed kinda' like a "if we don't see it, it isn't there" attitude. So, for us (with my allergies), it's better to plan on more cleaning (albeit quicker) as a trade-off for the longer looking-clean that carpet may provide. We will probably have carpet squares in the bedroom though.

[ALANSD]

I can tell you the laminate is so easily cleaned, and when there is mud and mess outside in the campground, it cones right off. With carpet you are hiding the reality of all the dust and dirt in those fibers, they may look clean but yikes!...shake 'em out.......

[Poprivet]

I used a HD product manufactured by Dupont. It has the backing installed and was easy to install. I'm pleased so far - easy to keep clean and tolerates the Lab. I have noticed small quanities left over from home projects on ebay for attractive prices