Home improvement: Installing hardwoods question...

Nick Chapman · 11-12-2007, 07:58 AM

Actualy lamanate flooring.

I've done a ton of research on installing these floors, and I think I've got it all covered, and ready to get started. The one thing I can't find any info on is undercutting the fireplace. I want these floors to look as good as possible, and as the fireplace is the focal point of the room, I want that portion to look as perfect as possible. Butting it up against the fireplace would look fine for a while, I'm sure. But I'm more worried about the floor lifting up over time, and not having a decent seal against the brick. By undercutting the fireplace, I would be able to slide the planks under to brick, and give it a secure fitting.

So, do any of you guys or gals have any info you can pass on to me about undercutting the fireplace?

Thanks,
Nick

RyanB · 11-12-2007, 08:02 AM

They just take a router ( or some friggen power tool) with a mortar bit and undercut it 3/8" I believe. No too much but enough to get it under. I wasn't there when ours got done, ask HECDOGGIE he installs the shit.

joezgarage · 11-12-2007, 11:38 AM

When I did mine last year I just butted it up against the brick and used a matching color caulk to fill the small seam. Most will tell you you need to undercut the brick to slide the floor underneath. That seemed like a real pain in the ass. My neighbor used that approach when he did his floor. He used a 4.5" angle grinder with the guard removed and cut the brick that way. Hint...it creates an assload of dust when doing it! I have been told that the companies that install it all the time use a tool designed for it, but I think it's just some sort of tool that mimics what an angle grinder does, just with a better design for cutting up against the floor.

Back N Black · 11-12-2007, 11:43 AM

like joe mentioned..they used a certain tool to undercut it..when they installed our wood floors, that cut the brick..looks damn good..

Nick Chapman · 11-12-2007, 12:15 PM

This is what I want to do. But I don't know how to do it, and I can't find any instuctions for it on the net.

jwalk · 11-12-2007, 10:48 PM

find some brick guys doing new construction, tell them what you want and let them do it. Its not worth the hassle to do it yourself or buy the tool.

Juscruzn · 11-13-2007, 12:46 PM

Which floor did you decide to go with, and why?

TIA,
Matt

jwalk · 11-13-2007, 02:44 PM

armstrong from Lowes. easy snap-lock install. I went to the little day class they teach before doing it myself and its worth it. Ours came with underlayment attached to the flooring but I still added seperate underlayment to cut down on the noise. Did the whole downstairs 2 years ago and it has held up to all the kids, 2 bullmastiffs and the occasional dropped object with no problems. I highly reccomend it.

HECDOGGIE · 11-13-2007, 03:42 PM

Its done with the same hand saw used to cut tile,with like a 4 inch diamond blade, it won't cut you! I can send one of my guys to do it for 50, you must have done your research if you knew to undercut it! You have my number nick, call me if I can help with anything!

Hector

11-12-2007, 07:58 AM	#1
Nick Chapman Iamwaxman! Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 12,974	Home improvement: Installing hardwoods question... Actualy lamanate flooring. I've done a ton of research on installing these floors, and I think I've got it all covered, and ready to get started. The one thing I can't find any info on is undercutting the fireplace. I want these floors to look as good as possible, and as the fireplace is the focal point of the room, I want that portion to look as perfect as possible. Butting it up against the fireplace would look fine for a while, I'm sure. But I'm more worried about the floor lifting up over time, and not having a decent seal against the brick. By undercutting the fireplace, I would be able to slide the planks under to brick, and give it a secure fitting. So, do any of you guys or gals have any info you can pass on to me about undercutting the fireplace? Thanks, Nick __________________

11-12-2007, 11:43 AM	#4
Back N Black Behind Blue Eyes.. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Glenn Heights Posts: 6,730	like joe mentioned..they used a certain tool to undercut it..when they installed our wood floors, that cut the brick..looks damn good.. __________________ CFFL Looking forward to the road that lies ahead...We enjoy reflecting upon past roads traveled, reliving our adventures through photographs taken and stories penned...Though, it's that next road that drives us onward...that next journey...And who knows where it'll lead?

11-12-2007, 12:15 PM	#5
Nick Chapman Iamwaxman! Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 12,974	This is what I want to do. But I don't know how to do it, and I can't find any instuctions for it on the net. __________________

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11-12-2007, 08:02 AM	#2
RyanB I'm going Commando Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: 469-323-7873 Posts: 7,057	They just take a router ( or some friggen power tool) with a mortar bit and undercut it 3/8" I believe. No too much but enough to get it under. I wasn't there when ours got done, ask HECDOGGIE he installs the shit.

11-12-2007, 11:38 AM	#3
joezgarage Lifer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: somewhere between Dallas & Ft Worth Posts: 2,110	When I did mine last year I just butted it up against the brick and used a matching color caulk to fill the small seam. Most will tell you you need to undercut the brick to slide the floor underneath. That seemed like a real pain in the ass. My neighbor used that approach when he did his floor. He used a 4.5" angle grinder with the guard removed and cut the brick that way. Hint...it creates an assload of dust when doing it! I have been told that the companies that install it all the time use a tool designed for it, but I think it's just some sort of tool that mimics what an angle grinder does, just with a better design for cutting up against the floor.

11-12-2007, 10:48 PM	#6
jwalk Gun Nut- Got Lead? Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Corinth Posts: 1,157	find some brick guys doing new construction, tell them what you want and let them do it. Its not worth the hassle to do it yourself or buy the tool.

11-13-2007, 12:46 PM	#7
Juscruzn Time Served Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Little Elm Posts: 288	Which floor did you decide to go with, and why? TIA, Matt

11-13-2007, 02:44 PM	#8
jwalk Gun Nut- Got Lead? Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Corinth Posts: 1,157	armstrong from Lowes. easy snap-lock install. I went to the little day class they teach before doing it myself and its worth it. Ours came with underlayment attached to the flooring but I still added seperate underlayment to cut down on the noise. Did the whole downstairs 2 years ago and it has held up to all the kids, 2 bullmastiffs and the occasional dropped object with no problems. I highly reccomend it.

11-13-2007, 03:42 PM	#9
HECDOGGIE Commercial Flooring Guy Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: S A C H S E Posts: 3,427	Its done with the same hand saw used to cut tile,with like a 4 inch diamond blade, it won't cut you! I can send one of my guys to do it for 50, you must have done your research if you knew to undercut it! You have my number nick, call me if I can help with anything! Hector