Replacing timber floor in kitchen

sunnyday1234

Hi All - i have put down a timber floor before in a square room and it went very well, however we want to replace the kitchen floor not. The current floor is going under the fridge compartment and the kitchen units and i wouldnt be skilled enough to take off the units etc so i was wondering could i cut the floor right up again the units, place the new floor down and then run a beading around the edge to cover it ? The areas where the beading would be are actually well hidden so wouldnt be an issue cosmetically.

If the above is possible, what would be the best tool to use to cut the current floor cleanly against the units ?

The Continental Op

Whats at the bottom of your units? Some have a base board that just pulls of so you can put the floor a little way under them then cut the base boards to fit.

sunnyday1234

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119582924#Comment_119582924

No the floor is going under the units, the units are sitting on top

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119583071#Comment_119583071

The units have to have a kickboard at the bottom. On some its part of the unit and not removable and others they are clipped on or even screwed on from inside the cabinet. So worth a closer look just in case.

A couple of links that explain what I mean

https://thecarpentersdaughter.co.uk/woodworking/kitchen-plinth/

https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/adjust-unit-legs-attach-plinth/

And a youtube one where they are screwed in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTSTjUjOZug

If you don't have removable kick boards then you could see if you can cut yours out and replace them with new ones.

sunnyday1234

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119583147#Comment_119583147

I dont have kickboards, i know what you are talking about but thats not how its done. There is a fridge unit housing an american fridge that is sitting on the floorboards and also a breakfast bar cabinet that is sitting on the floor also

sunnyday1234

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119583147#Comment_119583147

if you look at the left part of that kitchen the way the side panel is sitting on the floor, thats the part im asking about. Would you cut the board right there with something or take off the units

The Continental Op

I think you have to take the units out. I can't think of any tool that will cut the old boards up close to the bottom of the kicking boards without scratching them up. A multitool might do it but you need to mask off the kicking boards and be very careful to keep the teeth from cutting into the kicking board. The friction on the masking would probably melt it so a thin sheet of metal might be the only suitable protection. With a multitool you can put the blade in at right angles to the normal position and may have enough room to get it under the bottom shelf. This is the one I have https://www.amazon.co.uk/DCS355D1-GB-Oscillating-Multi-Tool-Brushless-Accessories/dp/B00W80ZKUU/but no need to get an expensive one if you want to try that.

sunnyday1234

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119613198#Comment_119613198

hmmm, thats what i thought. If i got a sharp chisel and worked away at it would it get it done ?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119613232#Comment_119613232

If you had the patience of a saint. I certainly wouldn't entertain trying it and you are bound to damage the kicking board and still not have that good a finish.

embracingLife

The usual way to do this is to remove the kick board and then put the timber floor into the legs of the cabinets which is a bit further in past the kickboard. Then when you refit the kick board and job done.

There's no need to worry about the edge of the kick board and floor as when the kick board is put back in place there's a perfect edge.

embracingLife

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119583323#Comment_119583323

Well with this then you will have to cut the front part of the kick board, but it's difficult to understand from what you describe, tbh your cabinets are a bit crap that you can't take off kick board panels easily but that's life.

Somehow you have to cut the kick board part to let the floor boards in under the front of the cabinets. Multi tool is the most practical (you can get a cheaper one from Woodies or similar shops that plugged in/cable for about 50e) or if its awkward cutting a straight line you may need to fit a timber mould length of timber over the cut to cover over the rough edges.

embracingLife

The length of timber I mentioned is called "scotia". All hardware stock it including the timber floors shop you got the floor boards from.

sunnyday1234

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119614803#Comment_119614803

no no , please just forget about kick boards for now. if you look at the picture of the cabinets posted above , look at the left hand side the way the unit side is just sitting on the floor. There is no kick board at that side. This is what i am asking about - how to cut the existing floor flush up against the side of the cabinet

embracingLife

Idk about your cabinet, but a Multi Tool would be a handy way to cut it at front without removing the cabinet.

"how to cut the floor flush against the cab"? Also a Multi Tool would be a handy option.

chooseusername

Do as you suggested in your op, and above, use a multi tool with a half-moon blade.

What kind of floor are you cutting out , floorboards or sheeting, like ply or chipboard? If you are cutting parallel to the joists you may need to support the cut floor and your new floor, unless you’re very lucky and your cut is right on the joist.

watch out for cables and pipes!

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119622733#Comment_119622733

How does he prevent cutting the bottom of the units?

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119622882#Comment_119622882

A thin piece of metal like you suggested above, or like this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlkOKtg-Kd8

sunnyday1234

yeah i think thats the only possible way. I am cutting laminate flooring , not chipboard or anything

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119627035#Comment_119627035

Corded Multitool for 35 euro in Aldi from Thur next, includes blades and sander.

I didn't realise it was floor covering you were cutting, ignore my post above about joists etc.

The Continental Op

A quick point on using a multitool. I use mine a lot and I find it will badly mark any surface the blade is flat against, just the friction causes heat. Now I'm a bit mean about using new blades and make the old ones last as long as possible. That means I'm more likely to create friction marks. I suggest you get a good lot of the blades you find most suitable and change them as soon as they start to wear.

embracingLife

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119633811#Comment_119633811

Yes good idea. Also there's a speed adjustment button on the multitool between 1 and 5 (usually), it's better to run the tool at 3 or 4 cos when set at max speed it wears out the blades very quickly as well as causing burn marks on the wood. So best advice is adjust speed as you cutting to see how it cuts the wood etc.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119639163#Comment_119639163

I think any tips are good for anyone who hasn't used a multitool before particularly when the first time they use it they take on a fairly difficult job

embracingLife

Yes so? I'm not knocking what you said.