new floor and deck

Hawkeye · 11-10-2009, 01:17 PM

I decided to undertake some projects this year. First was a new deck and then new flooring in our kitchen/dining room. I was raised by a man that could build, make, fix, or repair anything. My dad was a farm kid and he said if something broke down it had to be fixed and there wasn't the option to take it somewhere else when you were a broke farmer. None of his ability was transferred to me. He actually has a cute little nickname for me. 3M, which stands for mechanical mental midget.
So I thought I would do this stuff by myself, and except for a guy helping me with the deck for one day only, I did it by myself.
First the floor. We had linoleum(sp) in the kitchen and then carpet in the dining room. Carpet and kids slinging food out of highchairs do not mix, so I tore the carpet out, laid a subfloor, and put laminate wood over the kitchen and dining room. I think this is supposed to be one of the easiest DIY projects you can do, and for the most part it was pretty simple. Quarter round is good for hiding some of those mistake gaps around the edges.

Now for the deck. This freakin thing has been the bane of my summer. My wife and I work 12 hour shifts that can easily turn into 14 hours. She works nights and I am on days. We work opposite schedules so I have the kid when she's working. I would not recommend having an 18 month old help with building a deck. Just when I would get in a good building mode I would turn around and he would have screws, wood chunks, or anything else lying around in his mouth. He was also very helpful at bringing me tools that he thought I should use. Then he would lay down for a nap and I had to stop because the deck is right outside his window and I didn't want to wake him. I spent a lot of time searching the web for helpful hints, but refused to ask anyone else. I guess I'm a stubborn 3M. The deck is 16'X20'. It turned out nice, but it's pretty obvious it wasn't done by someone who knew what they were doing. My wife says it looks great, but I see all of the flaws. She also thinks it is normal for a deck to take 4 months to build, so please don't tell her otherwise. The stairs and handrails are up now and I fixed some of the railing that wasn't straight. I am just thankful it's over.

Halen · 11-10-2009, 02:26 PM

Hell both look good to me!

Chris

Edwardo · 11-10-2009, 02:33 PM

I like to use the phrases "rustic" or "shabby chic" when doing home improvement projects, but your projects look great.

mtsamuelson · 12-17-2009, 08:40 AM

Looks fine to me, but when laying laminate floor (I am assuming it's a floating floor), there is supposed to be about 1/4 of an inch from the wall since the floor expands and contracts with changes in temperature. The quarter round obviously hides these gaps while allowing the floor to expand and contract when necessary.

Hawkeye · 12-17-2009, 10:59 AM

Yep, quarter round sure helped me out when some of my cuts left more than 1/4" gap from the wall. My tape measure was off.

mtsamuelson · 12-17-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Yep, quarter round sure helped me out when some of my cuts left more than 1/4" gap from the wall. My tape measure was off.

What brand is it?

I think I have the same brand...

Hawkeye · 12-17-2009, 12:26 PM

Pergo flooring with whatever quarter round goes with it. I think the color is tuscan mahogany(sp?). Bought it at Lowes.

Jump n Fish · 12-18-2009, 09:08 AM

Heck judging by the pictures, I'd be very happy with either of those in my house. I've done a good bit of remodeling, but I've yet to try the laminate floors.

papaw t · 12-24-2009, 09:59 AM

Looks like you did a great job to me. I do know how those "hidden" flaws are too.

**MA Machine** · 12-26-2009, 08:05 AM

I think it all looks excellent!

11-10-2009, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hawkeye Hawkeye is fishing naked Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: nebraska state penitentiary Posts: 326 Thanks: 114 Thanked 107 Times in 70 Posts	new floor and deck I decided to undertake some projects this year. First was a new deck and then new flooring in our kitchen/dining room. I was raised by a man that could build, make, fix, or repair anything. My dad was a farm kid and he said if something broke down it had to be fixed and there wasn't the option to take it somewhere else when you were a broke farmer. None of his ability was transferred to me. He actually has a cute little nickname for me. 3M, which stands for mechanical mental midget. So I thought I would do this stuff by myself, and except for a guy helping me with the deck for one day only, I did it by myself. First the floor. We had linoleum(sp) in the kitchen and then carpet in the dining room. Carpet and kids slinging food out of highchairs do not mix, so I tore the carpet out, laid a subfloor, and put laminate wood over the kitchen and dining room. I think this is supposed to be one of the easiest DIY projects you can do, and for the most part it was pretty simple. Quarter round is good for hiding some of those mistake gaps around the edges. Now for the deck. This freakin thing has been the bane of my summer. My wife and I work 12 hour shifts that can easily turn into 14 hours. She works nights and I am on days. We work opposite schedules so I have the kid when she's working. I would not recommend having an 18 month old help with building a deck. Just when I would get in a good building mode I would turn around and he would have screws, wood chunks, or anything else lying around in his mouth. He was also very helpful at bringing me tools that he thought I should use. Then he would lay down for a nap and I had to stop because the deck is right outside his window and I didn't want to wake him. I spent a lot of time searching the web for helpful hints, but refused to ask anyone else. I guess I'm a stubborn 3M. The deck is 16'X20'. It turned out nice, but it's pretty obvious it wasn't done by someone who knew what they were doing. My wife says it looks great, but I see all of the flaws. She also thinks it is normal for a deck to take 4 months to build, so please don't tell her otherwise. The stairs and handrails are up now and I fixed some of the railing that wasn't straight. I am just thankful it's over. __________________ "Imagine how weird phones would look if your mouth was nowhere near your ears," Steven Wright

11-10-2009, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Halen Halen is ready for a vacation!! Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ogallala Posts: 426 Thanks: 16 Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts	Hell both look good to me! Chris __________________ "Never pass up a bathroom, never waste a good time and never trust a fart."

11-10-2009, 02:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Edwardo Edwardo is watching the GameTracker. Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lincoln Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 481 Thanks: 29 Thanked 223 Times in 145 Posts	I like to use the phrases "rustic" or "shabby chic" when doing home improvement projects, but your projects look great. __________________ I like fishing because the ripples excite me. ~Cleverbot

12-17-2009, 08:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
mtsamuelson mtsamuelson has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 353 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Looks fine to me, but when laying laminate floor (I am assuming it's a floating floor), there is supposed to be about 1/4 of an inch from the wall since the floor expands and contracts with changes in temperature. The quarter round obviously hides these gaps while allowing the floor to expand and contract when necessary. __________________ "Infectious or environmental...all we have to do is check for parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions, radiation, toxins, chemicals...or it's Internet porn related. I'll check the Internet, you guys get the rest of the stuff." (limps away to his computer) - Gregory House

12-17-2009, 10:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hawkeye Hawkeye is fishing naked Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: nebraska state penitentiary Posts: 326 Thanks: 114 Thanked 107 Times in 70 Posts	Yep, quarter round sure helped me out when some of my cuts left more than 1/4" gap from the wall. My tape measure was off. __________________ "Imagine how weird phones would look if your mouth was nowhere near your ears," Steven Wright

12-17-2009, 12:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hawkeye Hawkeye is fishing naked Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: nebraska state penitentiary Posts: 326 Thanks: 114 Thanked 107 Times in 70 Posts	Pergo flooring with whatever quarter round goes with it. I think the color is tuscan mahogany(sp?). Bought it at Lowes. __________________ "Imagine how weird phones would look if your mouth was nowhere near your ears," Steven Wright

12-18-2009, 09:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jump n Fish Jump n Fish is dreamin of clear rivers and big spots Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Laurel, MS Posts: 1,331 Thanks: 613 Thanked 463 Times in 216 Posts	Heck judging by the pictures, I'd be very happy with either of those in my house. I've done a good bit of remodeling, but I've yet to try the laminate floors. __________________ We accidentally replaced your heart with a baked potato. You have about three seconds to live.

12-24-2009, 09:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
papaw t papaw t is waiting for the next opportunity! Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lindsay Posts: 179 Thanks: 29 Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts	Looks like you did a great job to me. I do know how those "hidden" flaws are too.

12-26-2009, 08:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is Thawing his brain out 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 3,006 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 1,230 Times in 634 Posts	I think it all looks excellent! __________________ The only 2 things keeping me from going pro are skill and luck.

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