Laminate Flooring

[Brookenstein]

Ok, today was suppose to be the day we start the floor.  But, J woke up throwing up around 6 so we might have to wait till next week (he's still in bed now).

Anyway, I have a question for people who have laminate floor already.  Does your flooring go all the way to your front door/french doors/sliding doors or is there the 'gap' and quarter round is placed to cover said gap.

We have hard wood floors in the kitchen (for now, lol) and it is flush with the front door and door to the garage.  I was assuming we would do the same with the laminate, but I'm second guessing myself now as I know you are suppose to have the vapor barrier go up the wall a tad bit... so I'm not sure now.  ALso, eventually we will change the slider out, so I'm a little concerned if a different brand of slider (or french doors) would fit exactly the same... so I kinda wonder if we should just plan to use the quarter round.

My neighbors had theirs professionally installed about 6 months ago so I will go check out theirs as I don't remember how it looked, but they are on vacation and won't be back till tomorrow.

Any feedback appreciated.

[Tman122]

 I would try and get it up tight and flush wih the door threshold, but I would also use molding on the edge. But not 1/4 round, instead I would use a nice solid wood flat mold to create an extension of the threshold, even if it is lower. Like a 1/4 x 1 inch oak strip mold. Taper or round off the ends nice at your base mold on the sides of the door.

[JcDenton]

They actually recommend that you leave a small gap between all wall edges with laminate flooring to allow for contraction/expansion - but I didn't follow along - I just butted it right up to the door, walls etc and used some molding to finish it.

Jc

[drewstar]

I would try and get it up tight and flush wih the door threshold, but I would also use molding on the edge. But not 1/4 round, instead I would use a nice solid wood flat mold to create an extension of the threshold, even if it is lower. Like a 1/4 x 1 inch oak strip mold. Taper or round off the ends nice at your base mold on the sides of the door.

I've seen the edging done along the edge and I am did not care for this look. I removed my baseboard, went close to the edge of the wall, leaving enough space for exspansion, but small enough that the baseboard will cover the gap.  

It's a bit more work to remove the baseborad, but I think it is a much cleaner install.  Around doors, we went under the jamb.

[Vinny]

Typically you do leave a space all around the parimeter and cove it with moulding. For the area by the door, it's probably a flat piece shaped like an upside down "L" that is put in place along the whole door. This is produced by the company that makes the flooring to match the flooring.

That's how they installed mine by the sliders, doorway and they even have a transition piece for different types of floor that looks like a "T".

[Brewman]

I'd pull the baseboard, too, just to make the install eaiser.  
You may have to pull it anyway, depending on what flooring you have now.  For sure, don't run the new flooring ajacent to the baseboard.  It needs to go underneath the baseboard to look right.  
Unless you install shoe molding to cover up the joint.
You'll be stuck with the results for years, and  your eyes will be drawn right to any flaws you leave.