flooringlaminate-floorwood-filler
We moved in to our house just before covid and had a trained "friend" fit our laminate flooring but since have come to realise he hasn't done a very good job and has stopped replying to messages.
Around our front and back door, there are gaps between the door and laminate flooring. What would be best to fill these? I am completely new to DIY so need as much help as possible!
Photos below.
Thanks,
Lauren
You should consider doing something mosaic-y there because the size difference will always prevent you from putting in a milled transition piece.
If you try to install something that looks perfect, it will always look imperfect. But if you go with something that is intentionally imperfect, it will look intentional.
My workplace installed a vinyl click-down laminate last year in the entry way and a large meeting space. This is a mixed engineering and manufacturing company in the Pacific Northwest, so the flooring has taken a severe beating from boots and heavy equipment being dragged across it, as well as getting soaked from rain being tracked inside. It's held up very well.
In non-wet areas, especially those you may want to look more upscale, you should consider engineered hardwoods. They cost the same amount as good laminate, and you get a real surface rather than printed paper. I recently installed bamboo engineered flooring in my home office for $2.39/sq ft, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Personally I'd recommend a bamboo appearance if you are worried about scratching. Bamboo's appearance hides scratches very well.
In terms of comparing products, go to a store (either home improvement or dedicated flooring) and try and get a hand on whatever flooring you are looking at. Good quality engineered hardwoods should have a plywood-type bottom layer, and if they include a particleboard midlayer, make sure it's a tempered/high-density variety (dark grey-brown). Good laminates should be relatively heavy, and if you want it to stand up to water, should have a vinyl backing rather than fiberboard.
Best Answer
Are those sliding doors or regular hinged doors? The "friend" actually did a fairly good job of installing the flooring. There usually has to be a gap between the wall and flooring because the flooring will expand and contract if it's a floating floor. The gap is usually covered by molding fastened to the wall, not the floor. You can find different molding and trim at your home stores. They usually come in different colors or you can stain them to match.