14 Entryway- Installing New Tarkett Plank Flooring

Last time I talked about our dated and grimy entryway I added some much needed color which gave the room a more modern look all while bring in some excitingly bright colors. It was totally the motivation we needed to get this area completed. Naturally, the next step was get rid of the dingy worn out carpet and install new flooring.

Don’t mind the door, there’s only one coat of primer on it.

Click here to see what the entryway looked like in the VERY beginning!

We chose to install inexpensive laminate flooring. We briefly considered painting our OSB (a plywood-like material) but with the cost of paint and the fact that the subtle texture would show through AND probably collect dirt like no other- we decided the extra $10 was totally worth the hassle. Remember we aren’t going for longevity in this area since it will eventually become an extension of our kitchen. On the other hand, we still needed the product to be Wisconsin weather approved- rain, sleet, snow, salt, sand, dirt, leaves, etc.

Not only was the previous carpet extremely dirty but it was also unraveling in certain areas:

Ok the photo is a bit more dramatic/dirtier than normal as it was the last day we’d see that carpet so we didn’t bother to vacuum up our remodel dust + mess.

Once we tore up the old carpet we found this dark carpet pad layer that was completely stuck to the floor. Some of it came off easily (as in crumbled like ashes), while other sections required a bit more wrestling.

Those somewhat stubborn areas required scraping using a drywall knife (it's what we had on hand), and gloves- since I’m a bit of a germaphobe.

Supplies:

• (1) 1/2 in x 2ft x 8ft Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
• (1lb box) 1 5/8 in drywall screws we had these on-hand
• (2 boxes) Tarkett EZ Plank Flooring
• Bag of T-moldings (more in a minute)

Tools:

• Drill
• Measuring tape
• Table saw OR Circular saw 

Of course the beau was being impatient that evening and hammered out the floor while I was off finishing something else in another room. So, wordy steps will have to suffice:

1. Measure and cut the OSB by taking measurements on both the upper and lower areas.
2. Fasten the OSB to the floor using 1 5/8 in drywall screws with a drill.
3. Test fit a few pieces of the laminate flooring (to see which direction you prefer and approximately where you need to make your cuts).
4. Begin installing the flooring by starting in your preferred corner and snap them together, making sure to stagger the seams.
5. When you’ve reached a corner/edge take your measurements in at least three different areas (in case your walls are like ours and aren’t perfectly straight) then run the piece through the table saw or circular saw and snap into place.
6. We decided to also cover the riser part of the step which was pressure fitted into place.

You could also try this super helpful video from Tarkett Official.

When it came time for the edging on the stairs- instead of forking over a ton of money, which would have cost more than the floor, on traditional transitions we thought we’d try our luck. As in, we hunted through our local Re-store and scored a bag of brand new t-moldings, which happen to be deeply discounted at $8. The beau measured, cut, and adhered with his nail-gun. To finish things off, he made each stair look like it was framed by the moldings:

I’m still on the fence.

Here’s where I hang my head in shame. The most awkward area was where three drastically different flooring styles came together. The kitchen hardwood, the entryway laminate, and the bathroom tile (sneak peek!).

Don’t mind the missing shoe molding.

I sense a new trend starting... #keepingitreal Again, thankfully we didn’t spend a ton of money to update the entryway area thus far, especially since we’re not looking for longevity. Either way, I’d say the light colored flooring is 1,000 times better than the original dingy orange carpet, no?

We have a few more pieces to check off the list in the entryway, I hope you’re ready! Don’t you just love projects that start making the room look more complete? 

P.S. We were not paid or perked from any of these vendors; we just happily picked up the supplies necessary for the job.

Want to follow along with the Entryway progression? Here’s the $5 Drum Shade, Intro/Plan, Doorway Removal, adding storage using creative materials, and the magic of paint.

Remember...