Many folks and a few manufacturers are coming around to the practicality of hard surface flooring throughout their RVs. Inevitably, the carpeting in most trailers end up soiled, stained, or matted to the point that no amount of vacuuming or shampooing will bring it back to its original condition. The best you can do in this circumstance is have it professionally cleaned, but that can be expensive, if you can find someone to deal with the smaller confines of an RV. Hard surface flooring can be the answer for active RVers, or those who feel carpet is just not practical in the woods. While there are many solid woods, laminates and stick down tiles out there, I have found a product sold by Home Depot that is relatively inexpensive (about $1.70 a sq. ft) easy to work with, looks good, and wears very well. The product is called “Allure” by TrafficMaster and is now available in over 20 styles, from barnwood to bamboo, oak to cork, and many, many others. When I installed mine, there were only 3 choices, Oak, Hickory and Dark Cherry. The success of the product is evident by the wide varieties now available. I’ve had the product down in our 5th wheel living room now for about two years and find it is easy to maintain, and has survived temperatures from 18f to 98f with no ill effects. Another benefit is that it is virtually waterproof. And we all know that plumbing issues can be a part of RVing!
The product itself comes in 6″x36″ “strips” that have a glue strip along the long edge. One on top of the strip and another on the bottom. You lay your first course by cutting off the bottom glue strip and putting the remaining piece against the wall. Then, stagger the next course by laying the bottom of the glue strip over top of the glue strip on the first course. This process sounds complicated until you open a box of the material and see how it is manufactured. 
Cutting the material requires a sharp utility knife. To cut , just score it, and snap it. Cuts along the length of a strip are a little more time consuming, but there are few of those type cuts.
The benefits of this product are, easy clean up, easy installation, and it is a “floating” floor. As the pieces are glued to each other, there is no need for adhesives and spreaders. The product itself is about an eighth of an inch thick, so it is very forgiving with regard to the subfloor. On my install, I had to remove a small section of oak parkay in the kitchen area. As I pulled it up, I inadvertently pulled up some of the subfloor. I patched it with Fix-It-All and after 2 years, there is no sign of the subfloor repair bleeding through.
I was concerned about my furniture sliding around, so we bought some area rugs to place under the chairs and our kitchen table, but everything else seems to ride fine. One of the best investments I made was a “VacPan” (http://builtinvacuum.com/inlets/vacpan.html) that is basically a little trap door that you install on a kickplate that sucks floor sweepings into your central vac system. If you don’t have a central vac system, you can make a “poormans system” like I did for about $60. That’s a column for the future!
Some hints for a good installation:
- Floor Prep:
- Allure is remarkably forgiving unlike traditional sheet vinyl that reguires ardous floor prep. In fact if you can’t remove the pad staples, just beat them down flush and the strips will hide it. No subfloor joint patching is necessary.
- Acclimating the product:
- Make sure you have the product open and in the RV for at least 48 hours prior to installing it.
- Installation temperature:
- Try not to install it in excessively cold or hot room temperatures. I did mine at about 65 degrees and have found no expansion problems. I have heard from others that installed it in very hot and cold temps and had the seams separate.
- Roll the seams:
- Once you put the glued edges together, they really stick!! So get it right and get it tight the first time. But do yourself a favor and rent a linoleum roller for the job. It won’t cost much and the seams will stay put!
- Room for expansion:
- Leave at least an eighth to a quarter of an inch around the perimeter to allow for expansion. Quarter round on the perimeter will hide the gaps.
- In heavy wet areas:
- Run a bead of silicone around the perimeter to prevent excessive moisture from getting under the strips.
I’ve had several guests mistake Allure for Pergo or real wood and have found that it has an advantage over these products in that it is lighter (less weight to haul around) and will not swell if exposed to moisture. If your carpet is getting grungy and it’s time to upgrade, consider vinyl planking. We did and have not regretted it!
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Looks fabulous!!! I am def interetsed in this poor mans central vac system you spoke of…. we took the plunge and bought a 1987 honey 24 ft. RV…. yay!!! =)
It does need some tlc…its a bit older…. nothing huge tho… mostly cosmetic… like the carpeting.. lol…
Looks like things are moving along for you guys… hope you have a happy holiday!!! =)
I am considering putting Trafficmaster Allure flooring in my Motorhome with a slide out, but don't know what to do about the edge on the slideout and where the flooring meets the entrance steps. Do you know if they make a corner molding that will join with the flooring?
Cecil, when I did this project I realized I would be doing a lot of improvising, as this product was meant for a sticks and bricks home, not an RV with slides. My slide is the old fashioned style that has a 2" raise where the floor and the slide meet. When it was carpeted, they just rolled the carpet over the edge and stapled it. I laid the Allure right to the edge then made a fascia board out of a 1×2 piece of hemlock stained to match the flooring. Screwed it to the edge of the slide and covered the screw holes with stained wooden plugs. On the stairs, again I used a piece of hemlock 3/4" wide butted up to the edge of the flooring. Hope this helps!
I am preparing to install this in my travel trailer and was wondering if you think it is necessary to remove the existing rolled vinyl flooring first, or if I can install the plank vinyl over it? Also, did you use carpet tape or anything to tape it down is some places? If it is totally “floatong” wouldnt it move a bit or get “wavy”in some areas? Also How long did it take you?
Thanks
Leif, you can certainly lay the Allure right over top the existing vinyl. One of the best things about Allure is it is very forgiving of imperfections of the subfloor. Many vinyls after a period of time will show a pattern of what was under it originally. Allure is thick enough to hide most of what is under it. As far as it moving, once the planks are adhered to each other, they stay put! Strength in numbers and all that. I did use a bit of adhesive on a couple of very small pieces that I had to massage into place between a heat register and the wall. Other than that, the weight of the product keeps it in place. The project took me 3 days, because of custom modifications necessary for my slide and the stairs. In a normal room, say a 9×12 room, a person could do it in an afternoon, easy. Good luck with your project and thanks for writing! Jim
Hi again… I just went over your notes for this project… as we will be following your advice and doing this to our Honey within the next few weeks here… =) Thanks for being so good at what you do and sharing your knowledge!!!
My pleasure Jessica! Hope the project goes well and I don’t feel my ears burning!
I like the idea of using Allure, one problem I don’t understand is my slide out overhangs inside the camper about 1′ and the carpet is under it. How do I get the carpet out and the allure laid down?
Thanks
Tom
Well I finished my installation and it went good. Its a lot like painting whereas, laying the planks goes very fast and easy, but cutting in and trim takes a while. It looks great though and I did lay it right over old vinyl. Where there was carpet I tore it out and luckily there was the same vinyl under the carpet and I just removed the staples and continued. I left carpet on the slide because there is a 6 inch flap of carpet that covers the slide mecinism on the floor and I didnt think vinyl would make a good transition over that, plus when the slide is in the vinyl would be hanging off the edge about 6 inches and be in the way. My best advice would be to always think about your staggered pattern (so you don't mess it up) and to think, and double think every cut you make as it is easy to accidently cut out the shape you need to keep or cut from the wrong end of the plank and mess up the overlaping and underlaping tabs. Always keep the planks and tabs facing out and down and regardless of excess scrap always make sure the tabs of each peice are properly fitted. By this I mean if you find a perfect sized scrap that fits an area, but the tabs are cut or not lined up (Down and Out) dont use it as it will show when your done. THe only cut edges should be on the ends against the walls or cabinates.
Tom, that problem kept me awake too. When I did pull the carpet from the slide, I found that the leading edge had a removable fascia board about an inch thick. By removing that, I was able to back cut under the slide enough to remove the remaining carpet. Now there is no guarantee that yours has that board. Many people have elected to leave the carpet in the slide portion to side step this problem. And if you have a level slide like Leif, I don’t think you would be able to do the vinyl on the slide anyway.
Leif, sounds like you have graduated at the head of the Allure class! I always tell folks who are wondering how to figure how much product to buy, to factor in an additional 30% over what you have measured, than buy another box for good measure! Thanks for the update!
Hi Jeff/Jim/ and everyone!!
I am so very excited to let you knnow we finished our floor project!! Im in the process right now of getting the videos clips we did uploaded to share. =)
It was super easy… and though its def not a prof job.. it looks great and I am so pleased with my self and the kids for our hard work and getting it done. Couldnt have done it without the inpsiration from your site here!!!
When our mobile repair guy said we needed to rip the carpet out due to the water leak we had….I looked at the hubby and said.. I soo know what we are doing.. and we did it!! WooHoo!! ANyways.. just wanted to share that with you. I will come back and leave a link to the clips once I have them all up. =)
THanks again!
Thank YOU Jessica for sharing. The best part is yet to come because you will find clean up is a snap, and you don't have to fret over what is being tracked in! I think as time goes on, more manufacturers are going to wake up and realize a hard surface floor is a terrific option. Thanks again. will be looking forward to the pictures!
Hi Again… =) HERE is the link!
http://oddnjess.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-rv-floor-remodel-project.html#comments
I’m amazed at both the job you did AND the way you documented it all on video! Guess I’ll have to get out of the dark ages with photos and print and get busy with video. Thanks so much for sharing your work with us Jessica. Between you, your boys, and your spatula, I think you are ready to take on any project!
I’m thinking about putting this down in a 5th wheel I’m restoring but I have one concern. I’ve read on other forums to not install in environments that are not temperature controlled at all times. They said that big temp fluctuations (like a 5th wheel in the off seasons) would cause it to come apart. Do you have any insights on this? Thanks!
Dave, I’ve had mine down for about 2 years now in temperatures from 18 degrees to 98 with no noticeable problems. I too, have read of some problems involving expansion and contractions and think that the problem stems from installing the product outside the recommended temperature parameters. While my rig has not been in extreme below zero weather, nor 100+ I feel comfortable recommending it for use in an RV. Just follow the instructions and recommendations that come with the product. Good Luck
Hi…Thanks for all the info. I’ve ben reading all the info on replacing flooring in a 5th wheel. I started out thinking “pergo” type, what you say makes sense. My slide out is pretty much flush with the floor when it is extended. Can you think of any solutions to that situation? My DW is bound and determined to have it replaced. Carpet and sheet vinyl is both in my rig.
Thanks again… James
James, I can only speak from my experience with the old “step” style slides.
I have, however heard from many folks that have put the Allure on the main floor, and retained the carpet and the slide “flap” in the slide portion. I haven’t really taken a close look at level slide units to see if there is a solution for running Allure throughout. And having had several “floods” over the years from loose water connections, or overflowing holding tanks I vowed never to put “Pergo” style flooring in my rigs. But that’s just me.
Jim,
Does your slide have rollers on the front to support the inside edge of the step?
Mine does and I’m concerned that the floating floor will want to pull or shift as the slide moves in and out rolling back and forth . Do you know if you can glue down the Allure as an added procaution?
Ed, the floor will stay put. Understand that all the planks are glued to each other, and as such, they cannot move or shift. While they call the floor a "floating" install, it stays put, period. My slide doesn't have rollers, wish it did. When there was carpet on the floor, the slide just dragged across it without any problem. After putting down the hard surface floor, I had to come up with my own fix, consisting of teflon glides on the ends and a felt strip on the leading edge.
After reading all of the comments, my wife Teddy and I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and replace the carpet in our 2006 Cardinal 5th wheel with Allure.
We just finished the job and are pleased with the result.
Here’s a link to our blog entry about the installation.
http://larryandteddy.blogspot.com/2009/04/home-improvements-floor-project.html
This is a great thread to have found!!
I have a 32' 5th wheel from Fleetwood. Being up here in canada, large temp swings in the offseason due to winter, are common. As such, we've had our flooring bubble and crack each of the last 2 years. Last year, warrenty covered, this year, with Fleetwood being belly up, not so much luck. anyways life goes on.
I think i might tackle this project this weekend. Wish me well!!!!!
Aaron
Aaron,
How did your floor do over the winter? We are considering putting down Allure here in Minnesota and have concerns about the temperture fluctuations.
Teresa
We used this same product in our 5th wheel. For steps edges and slide ends, we used the rubber/vinyl stair step edge. It's about 2" wide and comes in brown and black. We used country pine flooring & left the hardwood flooring in the kitchen area, & instead of trying to match it, we used another vinyl transition strip that accentuated the wood part. It looks good. It makes the camper look larger and seems so much cleaner. I hated the light blue carpet. We also have a built-in dining area with a stationary table. We built a movable base & attached the table leg flanges to the base. Now we can move the table in and out instead of having to crawl around and behind the table. Much better at our age.
We were inspired by all of the success you all have had in installing the Allure, so we gave it a shot – since we needed to pull up the flooring anyways. we ised the oak finish in our 2001 Sunline camper and it looks fantastic, to say the least. It matches the cabinet work so well. The only peoblem we have is matching the brownish / tan vinyl bead molding that goes along the floor where it meets the cabinets. I have found plenty of the light tan, but that won't match the remaining molding in the camper. Does anyone know where we can get other colors?
Did you use it on the steps as well? If so, did you glue it down?
I read your article and am thinking about installing this product in my travel trailer, however, we live in Yuma, AZ and the weather is extremely hot. We have many months of tempertures over a 100 degrees. Would this product hold up under these tempertures? Has any one installed this product in areas that have the same kind of tempetures?
Gary, sorry it took so long to get back to you but did not get a ding on my computer letting me know there were questions! I've had my Trafficmaster installed now for 3 years with temperature swings from 11 degrees to 108 with only one area that showed some separation, and that was my fault for not allowing enough space for the product to expand and contract. I think the key to success in this installation is renting a 90lb roller for vinyl installs and running it over your seams as you install it. Good luck! jim
I have a 35' Damon Motor Home and am planning on installing either a laminatee or vinyl wood floor in the unit. I hope its as easy as it sounds. My only concerns are laminate versus vinyl and of course getting under the slide out. I looked at and priced sheet vinyl flooring (wood look) and found the thicker Armstrong floating type vinyl. The only cconcern is price ($3.78 per sq. ft) and it come 12' wide so there will be considerable waste. Do you have any suggestion as to installing a laminmate such as Pergo?
Jon, I installed a laminate in my old Airstream and it was a bear. Working in a large room laying laminate is one thing, but in the confines of a trailer it can be tricky. Heck the overhangs on the toe kicks on the cabinets were loads of fun, trying to snap and click those pieces in! So I vowed to find something easier when it came time to do our fifth wheel. And using vinyl planks 6"x36" is way easier than trying to wrestle with 12' sheet goods. As far as getting it under the slide, I did it, and I'm no Bob Villa! As far as it being easy as it sounds, well, it's easier than the alternative. I will tell you that you will feel your age the day after the install. Get some good knee pads! Good luck Jim
This is a high mentation to somebody pioneer!!
I feature a 32' 5th roller from Fleetwood. Existence up here in canada, thumping temp swings in the offseason due to winter, are popular. As specified, we've had our flooring belch and sally apiece of the senior 2 period. Endmost period, warrenty cloaked, this assemblage, with Fleetwood existence intumesce up, not so untold luck. anyways life goes on.
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i need one box of trafficmaster honey oak laminate flooring please let me know if you know if any is available home depot does not make that style anymore 559-430-9924
We love our Allure Flooring, however, there are two areas where the seams to come undone. Not all the way, could we use some type of adhesive or glue to ensure these do not come apart.
Would love to hear from someone regarding this.
Paul, I would suggest using a heat gun or hair dryer and very carefully loosen the strips that have come apart. Making sure that the adhesive portion is free from dirt and debris, I would try resealing them, again using the heat gun and using a heavy roller. Or, for a more permanent solution, remove the old adhesive and use contact cement on each piece, let them dry, then reassemble. This is what I would do, not necessarily what is factory recommended.
On my Travel Supreme slide out, there are rounded edges at each end of the slide out and an s-curve on one slide out in the middle. What can I use to trim the edges of my slide outs?
I thought of the solution. Just cut off at 45 and trim
Has anyone ever had an issue with the Allure flooring as far as the odor that emminates from the product, I have read a few bad reviews that have stated that in some cases the smell lasts as long as 3+ months, and that some have removed the flooring due to the smell and were promtly refunded by Home Depot without having to return it. When I first saw this product I immediately knew this was going to be put in our camper, I have installed many types of flooring in the past in my home or friends homes, but have never used this product before, the only thing that worries me is the odor. But I have also read that this is a batch to batch issue. One more thing, we have 2 young children and a very active cairn terrior, does this floor scratch easy? Thanks for any and all input….Jim
Jim, sorry it took so long to reply, but they changed the reply software and
i couldn't figure it out. All is well now. I haven't heard this complaint before, but in manufacturing processes the recipe could have been screwed up causing the odor. I would buy the amount of product you need, then put the boxes in the area you are installing it, as per the instructions, for at least 24 hours. Stick your head in and inhale to see if you got a bad batch. Good luck!
Do the trim pieces (quarter round) get glued down or nailed? Thanks!
Caryn, I used a brad nailer and nailed it to the wall.
Karen, I would love to see pictures of the treatment that you used for the slide edge. We also have a 5th wheel TS with the “funky” slider edge and have been “brain-storming” for 2 months now! What kind of blade did you use?
We are thinking of putting this in a camper on a permanent site in Minnesota. We are concerned about the temperature fluctuations. Has anyone out there had this product down for the last couple years in a camper in a like environment with or without problems? Also how do we leave an expansion space around the toilet?
Teresa, mine has been in for a few years now, with temperature differences of about 100 degrees with no noticible problems, but to be honest, Minnesota has some extreme temps. I would follow the instructions exactly, leave a gap around the perimeter for expansion, and rent a 90# vinyl roller to do the seams. Around the toilet, I would use a silicone based caulk that comes close to the color of the toilet or the flooring product, leaving an eighth inch gap. Good Luck!
I need help on installing new carpet in our rv.Where the carpet and the vinyl meet their is some sort of strip they used.The carpet rolls under it making the strip invisible.I am worried once I lift up I won’t be able to replace.I am only replacing a 3×6 area and 3 sides are against a wall.The side against the vinyl is 3ft.I figured I could use a transition strip if I had problems but I really wanted it to look proffessional and match the rest of the rv.also will I need to put tack strips around the wass and kick in in since the area is so small or can I glue it to the padding and staple close to the wall.thanks in advance…
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Hello Jim,
My wife and want to install the Allure flooring product in our RV that we live in full time…I have kind of glanced over this thread so I am not entirely sure if my question has already been answered so I apologize. Is it a good idea to glue this product down? I have a 13 foot slide that will be going right over the top of it so my concern is that it could pull it up or even possibly shove it over. Any thoughts?
TrafficMaster Allure has come out with a new product that replaces the glue strips with a click and lock system. It is called TrafficMaster Allure Ultra and is suppose to be much better for installations exposed to wide tempature swings. Has anyone installed Allure Ultra in an RV and if yes, how is it holding up?
What did you use for a transition strip?Thank you