Thought I'd go ahead and share the update.
I really liked the idea of the laminate flooring, especially since I'd just (within the last 2 months) finished laying new laminate in the house, kitchen, hall and one bedroom. I also had 2 cases left over. The only problem was the weight.
So the wife and I made a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot and didn't like what we were seeing. We first attempted to come close to a color match, but everything that came within reason was the same stuff.... way to heavy.
Before giving up, I suggested we go back to the place where I purchased the flooring for house. This is a real flooring business that does nothing but sell flooring. And their selection is huge.
We talked to the folks there and told them what we were wanting ... light weight, and by now, color didn't matter. After walking around a bit we found ourselves in the "discontinued" section and whaloa! There it was. Dark brown and very thin rubbery stuff that still locked together like the laminate stuff does. I think one box of the stuff (27 square feet) weighed about 20 pounds (if that much).
The only problem was, I needed 31.5 square feet, so I had to get 2 boxes. But .... at 99 cents a square foot, I walked out under $55.00!!! And happy as a bed bug against a warm body in the middle of a snow storm.
I took a sample home first and compared it to the rest of the trailer décor and colors and wood color and floor color. It seemed to blend in nice. I figure nothing will ever match the original flooring, so if it was going to clash, at least let it clash with some style! I went back and purchased it.
Here's some photos.
Unfortunately, I do not have a good photo of what the slide looked like before removing any of the carpet. The section attached to the main floor came out over a year ago. That which remained came out just this week.
Here's about the best photo I had of the slide when it was still new. You can catch a glimpse of the original carpet attached to the main trailer floor and the overlapping stuff from the slide. Which, by the way, the slide was retracted, that same corner would bunch up against the kitchen cabinet. In time, that corner frayed, the trim came off, and it was shredding. So, the carpet on the slide, not only for doggie messes, but a lousy design resulted in one horrible carpet after 4 years of use. The refrigerator sits in the sldie.
Here's the carpet after pulling it out from the slide a few days ago.
Here's what the slide looked like when I got the old carpet up. I left that aluminum foil insulation. I debated long and hard about removing it, but decided to leave it. Also, that black edge on the front is the Draco. It's wrapped completely around the floor board, on the outside and on the inside. Everything is built on top of it. So, I definately wanted to leave it too.
Here's the new floor tile information:
And here's the flooring completely installed and finished (today).
And just an FYI, I did glue down the front edge of the flooring onto the aluminum. The aluminum appeared to be stout enough and anchored down good. I didn't know if the free-floating floor would move when traveling so wanted to make sure it stays put. I then, also ran a bead of caulking around the edges against the wall. Why? well, to trim out the edges on the wall better, to keep the tiles from moving when in transit, and IF the dogs pee, there is an edge or a lip, preventing anything wet from draining under the tiles. So, it was important to calk all the edges.
