Carpet removal and new flooring install thread.

[Blue~Go]

I imagine many of us either have, or would like to, remove the carpet and put in new flooring. Let's discuss! Anyone who had already done it, we hopefuls would love to see pics, hear epic tales of triumph, (temporary) defeat, glean tips, etc.

Thanks!

[Manitou]

dang.. when I saw this thread I was hoping to gain some insight. I think I'll be tackling this one in the coming weeks/months. I'm more concerned with creating the new beds/couches... but maybe I'm underestimating the floor work. I read that some people put down a 1/2" layer of plywood and putty around some bolt heads somewhere. Then put a thin linoleum type flooring over that. I like pergo personally, bit not sure how difficult that install would be.

[Blue~Go]

To me what makes the flooring install "harder" is that you have to pretty much evacuate the rig. I mean, it goes everywhere! One couch to me seems at least a little bit less comprehensive (I did one couch while in the Chinook, and it was survivable).

Funny thing is that when a new post popped up in this thread tonight (yours), I thought, "Oh good, someone is going to show some photos of the process!" Heh, nope.

[Manitou]

I won't remove the carpet under the sink/stove, in the closet or under the fridge. I'll be removing the dinnett and the sofa.. So that'll cover the bulk of it.
(Will sleep on the floor with my memory foam for a while as I build it back up. I just need time away from work).

[Blue~Go]

That's what I did when I was re-working my couch: I slept on the aisle floor with a Thermarest pad. Ironically it was about five times more comfortable than the original couch (not that that takes much).

Was quite rewarding to then "move up in the world" and go back to sleeping on the (new) couch

[Manitou]

Went looking at flooring today. I also read where one guy used "vinyl laminate flooring". I only knew of pergo "engineering laminet flooring". Turns out this vinyl based stuff is similar, but more flexible. That seems like a good thing for a mobile vehicle. I haven't figured out how it gets put down yet.. Assuming glue/contact cement type stuff.
Yup glued..
Now.. What color would match? I'd really like to removed all doors.. Restrain them in a grayish stain, clear coat, and then paint all the mdf type boards some share of grey. In which case the flooring should be some sort of grey too... But holy crap that's a lot of work batman!

[Skillet]

I've heard it recommended that you get the locking planks. That's what I'm going to go for when I get the laminated vinyl. Apparently you want a floating floor and not something glued down because of the temp extremes. Some people in rv's are having their glued tile come up at the corners. I'm also going to get one that's 100% waterproof. Lowe's and Home Depot sell 'em but you have to look on the box for the waterproof statement. One person even told me to get the thin rubber like you would put down under a bathtub (when building a house) for an ultimate barrier. Both for insulation and to keep any possible water from getting to the sub-floor. I will probably do that too. You can finish off the sides with quarter-round if your cutting skills aren't that precise (like mine).
I'm also in the boat of settling on a color. I will probably paint the wood but don't know the color for that either...

[Blue~Go]

Me too! I'm not into the "oak" look (even the real parts), so I've been considering everything from new cabinets, to new doors, to painting some/all, to re-facing (which can apparently be a bit of a challenge with the melamine on the carcases).

For the flooring I've got Lonseal on the top of my list, but that may change. It's a good quality, one piece type sheet vinyl that comes in things other than fake bricks or wood (although they do have wood look patterns too).

Basically just waiting to see what you all do

[Skillet]

Did a trip to Lowes today and here are the 6 types/colors that are 100% waterproof. Excuse the slightly shaky cam pic but it all should be readable. I'm going the route of repainting cabinets. Can't afford to redo them in some nicer wood. Just need a color for the floor and then pick the paint or visa-versa. I'm a fan of steampunk so I might go that as a decorating scheme. Don't have any at home 'cause the ex wasn't a fan, but now that I'm single...

[Blue~Go]

Skillet,

I bet your rig is going to come out great. ('course I tend to like things that aren't "typical RV"). It'll be great to follow along.

Speaking of steampunk, I now have a "steampunk dashboard" of sorts

I don't know about your Chinook, but mine had this walnut overlay on the dashboard, doors, etc. It was nicely done, but just not my thing. I removed it, wrapped it carefully, and stored it away for a potential future owner. Then I took the black screws (that had held it on) and put them back in the dashboard holes (the regular dark grey dash is under the wood). Now I have "steampunk" black screw heads on the dash

Of course one could get a new dash insert from a junkyard, but I kind of like it this way.