Page 46 - Discover Fall 2022
P. 46
Charlie's Chatter CONTINUED
I immediately embraced the concept the walls. In this case, the procedure is to lay
of laying down broad interlocking panels the planks in a straight line, starting at one
without nails or glue, figuring that the job wall, and finishing at the opposite wall. It has
would progress more quickly than a traditional to be done this way because of how the planks
hardwood floor. It will, but like most things, interlock.
it’s not quite as easy as it looks.
Still, in spite of having to adjust my
To start with, the planks are thicker thinking, it would be a simple job… were it
than the original laminate flooring, which not for the fact that my house has an open
is good for making a solid floor, but adds a floor plan. A large percentage of the floor
degree of difficulty to installation. The added would be laid as a single section, with a
benefit of being waterproof is long hallway and all sorts
great, but it means that the of interesting angles and
process of interlocking the projections into the room.
boards is very tricky, and has They include partition walls, a
caused me some frustration. stone fireplace, and a stairwell.
I also learned that this While my wife is proud
particular flooring requires an of my ability to complete
underlayment, which is fairly such projects, she felt that it
easy to install, but somewhat might be a little more than I
cumbersome, and it’s easily wanted to take on, given those
damaged until the flooring challenges. However, as much
covers it. as I might echo her thoughts,
I realized that any professional installer would
I realized at the start that it would be
likely expect to have all of our furniture
prudent to install the underlayment a little at
temporarily relocated while the work was
a time, just ahead of the planking, in order to
being done. To me, that was more trouble than
avoid unnecessary damage.
I expected the installation to be, so I went for
I had had a lot of experience laying doing it myself.
ceramic tile and other types of floors, but that
The stone fireplace, which projects into
did not help much with the laminate. I was
the room at a 45 degree angle from one corner
accustomed to starting in the center of the
of the room, gave me fits. The worst aspect of
room, and working my way in all directions to
that job was that I had to figure out how to
44 Discover Smith Mountain Lake FALL 2022
