Replacing carpet floor with wood laminate - advice / thoughts

I'm pondering the same question. Lots of threads on the subject and the consensus seems to be everyone loves it.The requirement for a subfloor probably can't be ascertained until you remove the carpet. Some have said the floor was so rough they had to either level it, or add a sub-floor. Others found it smooth enough to just clean it up and start laying the planks.

It is not knowing what shape my floor is in, that is holding me back. Carpet is often used to hide a multitude of sins.
 
I may be unique in this but I have a saying that everything in a yacht should be “yacht-like.” That being said I think there are 2 proper cabin soles. 1 is carpet and one is teak and holly so... I think if you’re going to lay teak and holly then it needs to be completed by a professional as they can do the base trim and fit it much better then and amateur. If your doing carpet then anyone can do it.

I totally understand this is a unique way of thinking but look at older boats... which ones interest you? The ones that look stock or the ones with all the aftermarket goodies that are in style at the time but have since faded?

Just my .02

Josh
 
Respectfully, I don't know Josh.... Look at some of the new floors today and there seem to be improvements...Laminates that are marine grade, etc...I like carpet for sound attenuation but they are harder to keep clean and can get moldy...Thought I'd look into what others have done and think...I know some members have done the change, but I'd like to hear how they like the results...
 
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Love it. Carpet doesn't belong on boats our size. They smell, get dirty require maintenance and you need to worry about people spilling or walking on it. There are ugly runners, but then,it is no longer carpet. I pulled up the old carpet, hardest part of the job. The fiberglass was rough and bumpy. I didn't didn't want to grind and make dust. Solution was glue and screws 3/8 marine ply down as a sub floor. Wood product was a quality I repeat quality vinyl plank floor. I then glued the plank to the subfloor. Hatches have to be reshaped with rounded corners. Square corners are more likely to peel up. It is a lot of work but very worth it. The color in the pictures doesn't due it justice.
 
Thanks RT, any negatives? Do you remember the specific plywood and vinyl you used? What did you do for the vertical carpet and trim? How is it wearing and do you use a runner? Est. cost?
No negatives. The plywood was 3/8 inch marine grade plywood. I bought remnant carpet from a carpet store for the vertical carpet areas and stair risers. 3M spray adhesive was used to affix it. I bought the flooring from lumber liquidators. It is vinyl plank with a thicker wear layer than box store products. The planks will click together as you install them but you still need to glue them. No runners. I even did the stairs treads. Not a wear spot to be seen. Under $300. All my labor.
 
That's great thanks....If you recall the specific floor, I'll check with the local Lumber Liquidators.

I might have missed it, but I presume you glued the subfloor also...You said glue and screws, what was screwed? I imagine you have to be careful screwing into the fiberglass...
 
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Couple comments.

One if you want Teak & holly you can buy it in ¼” plywood. It is a thick veneer meant for flooring use on boats. It can then be epoxied to thicker marine ply to be applied as flooring.

Two, plywood should be painted with a coat of epoxy on all sides. This will seal and stabilize the wood. Sealing is good, but stabilizing will head off any problems in the future from it shifting.

Henry
 
Agree good advice. Not necessary in the cabin floor application. I would caution against it in my application. I can't guarantee the floor adhesives performance on whatever you use to seal it. In addition the marine grade plywood on the cabin floor should never see moisture.
 
Agree good advice. Not necessary in the cabin floor application. I would caution against it in my application. I can't guarantee the floor adhesives performance on whatever you use to seal it. In addition the marine grade plywood on the cabin floor should never see moisture.

"Should" is the key word...I would like to put something down that is designed for water simply as a precaution. I don't know if there are different grades of "marine grade" plywood or if they are safe in living quarters...I'll try and do some homework...The idea being if water does intrude in some way, standing water won't damage the flooring...Is this unrealistic?
 
View attachment 70322 View attachment 70323 View attachment 70324 View attachment 70325 Love it. Carpet doesn't belong on boats our size. They smell, get dirty require maintenance and you need to worry about people spilling or walking on it. There are ugly runners, but then,it is no longer carpet. I pulled up the old carpet, hardest part of the job. The fiberglass was rough and bumpy. I didn't didn't want to grind and make dust. Solution was glue and screws 3/8 marine ply down as a sub floor. Wood product was a quality I repeat quality vinyl plank floor. I then glued the plank to the subfloor. Hatches have to be reshaped with rounded corners. Square corners are more likely to peel up. It is a lot of work but very worth it. The color in the pictures doesn't due it justice.

Riptide - nice job. What did you put on the side (between the wood floor and upholstery/leather seats)?
 
="Riptide III, post: 1059450, member: Love it. Carpet doesn't belong on boats our size. They smell, get dirty require maintenance and you need to worry about people spilling or walking on it. There are ugly runners, but then,it is no longer carpet. I pulled up the old carpet, hardest part of the job. The fiberglass was rough and bumpy. I didn't didn't want to grind and make dust. Solution was glue and screws 3/8 marine ply down as a sub floor. Wood product was a quality I repeat quality vinyl plank floor. I then glued the plank to the subfloor. Hatches have to be reshaped with rounded corners. Square corners are more likely to peel up. It is a lot of work but very worth it. The color in the pictures doesn't due it justice.

That looks great!!
 

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