The floor is one of the most used but often overlooked parts of your recreational vehicle (RV) or motorhome/motor coach. Indeed, the flooring is one of the hardest working and hardest wearing areas of an RV. This is why it’s essential to install the right type, so it can serve you well for many years to come.
It is common to use carpeting on an RV or motorhome slideout. But carpets are prone to high traffic wear patterns and soiling. To ensure your flooring lasts longer, you should opt to only have carpeting on the slideout and cover the rest with laminate flooring for RV or a similar hard surface.
We’ll walk you through the benefits and share ways to find RV laminate flooring in the DFW area.
Why do RV Slides have Carpet?
There are several reasons RVs and motorhomes with a slideout are outfitted with a carpet. Take the case of the “flat floor slide,” which becomes level with the main floor when extended. This configuration requires carpeting under the slideout.
Replacing the RV carpet with hardwood can be difficult. With the latter, gaps can form between the slide and main floors when the slideout is fully extended. But, on the other hand, the carpet gives you the extra material that fills in that gap.
Another concern is that the laminate wood flooring can be scraped by the slide if it is designed with glides and not with rollers as it moves inward out. Deciding which way to go regarding floor covering will depend on how the slide supports itself when retracted.
One option is to keep the carpet on the slideout side. The softer nature of the carpet allows for an easy transition to the hardwood much better than a hardwood to hardwood transition or even carpet to carpet. The seam creates a natural line and is much more visually appealing. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the slider scratching the hardwood.
Another method is to apply laminate flooring, which mimics the look of hardwood, with the added advantage of being durable and waterproof.
Benefits Of Using The Best Flooring For RV With Slides
Except for the slideout side, you can enhance the look and longevity of your RV interior with laminate flooring. This option comes with several practical and aesthetic benefits. Here are some of the top benefits:
Tough against wear and tear
Laminate planks fit the RV lifestyle, especially those involving year-round adventures on the open road.
This type of flooring is installed via the floating method. Meaning it doesn’t need to be attached directly to the subfloor. So you can lay down insulation in between, which can keep the floor warm when the weather is colder.
At the same time, it can endure structural changes in hot or cold environments, such as expansion and contraction.
Easy to clean and maintain
Being on the road requires a low-maintenance space. Having laminate flooring for your RV is perfect since the planks are easy to clean. They’re also waterproof, so they do not get damaged quickly by water and moisture.
Various designs available
Whether renovating your entire RV or just the floor, it is crucial to use high-quality materials. With laminate flooring, you can expect excellent make and choose from multiple designs to turn your vision into reality.
Factors to Consider when Installing Laminate Flooring For RV or Motorhome Slide Out
So, you’re about to update your RV flooring. But before you call the provider of the best RV laminate flooring in the DFW area, here are some factors that can help set and manage your expectations regarding this option:
- Some laminate flooring will off-gas more than a new carpet. In a tight space such as an RV, the vinyl smell can take a while to go away.
- Watch out for the trim. Some people have successfully installed RV laminate flooring only to have the trim snag and rip the flooring.
- Check for subfloor damage before starting work. Ensure that your subflooring is up to standard before laying down new hard flooring. If you have ever had any water leaks in the past, even if they have been resolved, you must take the time to inspect the subflooring and address any underlying issues.
- Watch for water. When the RV slideout has been in the rain and then retracted, it can drag the water in with it, often leaving puddles on the flooring that go unnoticed. These can lead to stains or, worse, bubbling.
- Hardwood flooring can make the RV a little cooler on bare feet, especially in the winter, and we caution people not to step on the trim pieces when the slider is in the “in” position.
Replacing Flooring in RV with Slide
As we’ve mentioned in the previous sections, you have to plan your installment, replace the old flooring and repair the subfloor as needed. Then, you begin the installation of laminate flooring.
Below are some tips to ensure you or your contractor is doing it correctly:
- Carefully remove anything attached to the floor. You will need to replace these items in the same configuration when the flooring is complete.
- Lay down the first row of laminate planks from end to end to establish the length.
- Measure the required board size at the end of the row. Cut the piece accordingly, leaving a few inches of space between the flooring and the wall to avoid peaking.
- Secure the planks firmly by pressing down the adhesive strips well or tapping the boards with a rubber mallet.
RV Laminate Flooring Experts
Enlist the assistance of professionals to avoid making mistakes and repeating the installation. After all, with the slider and mechanism, the job is harder for the average person to do. Anything that is attached to the floor of the slide has to be properly removed and reinstalled accurately. Any
The Coach Specialists team can help you choose superior-quality RV laminate flooring in the DFW area and install it professionally. New flooring improves the value of your RV and also improves the aesthetics.