Can I create a Pokémon card floor in my son’s room without removing the current laminate or baseboards?
Asked by Mark Butler 
4 months ago
Last Updated: May 22, 2024
Hey, I’m working on a fun project for my son’s room and could use some advice. He has a bunch of Pokémon cards he doesn’t want anymore, so I thought it would be cool to create a Pokémon card floor for him. My plan is to stick the cards to the floor and then coat them with epoxy resin. My question is, do I have to remove the current laminate flooring before doing this, or can I just go ahead and do it over the existing floor? I’m feeling a bit lazy and really don’t want to mess with removing the baseboards. 
Ultimately, you have the freedom to do it however you want. In my opinion, this applies to all projects. Taking shortcuts may lead to finishing faster, but the end result may not be as good. If you dedicate 10 hours to creating a floor that someone will see for the next 10 years, why not invest 3 days to ensure they still love it after 10 years? These are just my thoughts, hope they are helpful.
Keep them stored nicely and consider selling them for a high price many years down the line. This could become part of his college fund. Don’t use them on the floor!
They will likely never have much value
Just double-check to make sure there are no rare ones mixed in. My brother got rid of his collection for $500 a few years back and the value has only increased since then.
I mean, seriously… there are so many Pokémon cards.
We decided to keep the more expensive ones.
Flooring installer here. If the existing laminate is a floating floor, you can’t just stick them and epoxy. It’ll be ruined by next year.
Got it, thanks.
Once the laminate is removed, aim for an epoxy floor coating that is no less than 3/16 inch. Additionally, consider using a paint roller for full coverage when gluing down cards to avoid air bubbles.
Suggested adding another layer of flooring to the subfloor before proceeding. It’s important to determine the type of existing subfloor you have before starting. A 1/4 inch luaun/underlayment attached with large staples should be sufficient, following the current pattern. More specific advice could be provided with more details about your current setup.
I believe there is some type of OSB board underneath
Will this Henry brand adhesive dry transparent?
Alright, so they’ll be stacked in their own unique pattern. They are available in sheets measuring 4 ft x 8 ft, and they will be placed in a staggered manner, typically half and half adjacent to each other. You’ll need to lay the new 4 x 8 luaun in the opposite direction, horizontally across them. If it’s 8 feet running from the door to the window, run the new 8 ft along the closet to the bed wall… or however the room is set up
I think that would end up with the floor in his room being higher than the floor in the hallway.
It will, but just a little, as long as it’s level enough. They also have reducers that match the color you want.
Thank you so much! 😁
Hi there! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions as you go through the process
Hey, I was just checking out the Henry adhesive. Will it dry transparent?
Yeah
One more thing: Why shouldn’t I place the cards directly on the OSB board?
My apologies for the late response. Now it’s really early haha. Wood naturally expands and contracts with seasonal changes, including weekly shifts due to weather. Your walls, joists, subfloor, and top floor all experience movement. Adding an additional layer perpendicular, no matter how thin, minimizes the impact on the top layer, especially the epoxy, which requires stability.
Also as I’m laying here pondering it, another key point is that, while not immediate, it will telegraph, meaning the texture or subfloor will still be visible in the cards even after applying epoxy; the adhesive will eventually seep down to the subfloor due to pressure from walking on it. Luaun provides a smooth, clean, sanded surface.
Once you apply epoxy, it becomes permanent. If you want to change it, you’ll have to install new flooring on top, making the floor higher. Epoxy can be costly and tricky to use. We used a torch to eliminate imperfections as we worked, but it might be challenging with cards underneath. Any dust particles will cause dimples, and it will take weeks to fully dry before you can use the room again. It’s a major undertaking to epoxy a floor!
Just keep in mind that at some point he will move on from the Pokemon phase. Anything permanent you create will stay that way.
Think about Magic: The Gathering as the next popular card game trend 🙂
The only issue is that he might outgrow his love for them as floor tiles. He might want you to change it in 1-3 years, which would be a lot of effort to redo so soon.
Have you considered a different approach? What if you stick them on a wall covered with wallpaper? This way, when he outgrows it or when they go out of style, you can simply remove the wallpaper but preserve a memory of the wall you created.
Removing the air bubbles from stacked cards like that will definitely be time-consuming. Air pockets equal weak points. Best of luck
Maybe consider a different approach.. suspend them from the ceiling using string.. or integrate them into a desk or chair, then seal it. I have experience creating epoxy tables. It may seem simple in your mind, but it’s actually quite challenging. It can be a bit of a hassle. It’s crucial for everything to go perfectly; otherwise, you’ll end up with a sticky situation, or it may crack if it hardens too quickly. Make sure to seal your floor completely. Every single detail.. because if there’s even a tiny seam or crack, the epoxy will seep right through. If he has windows and leaves the blinds open, it will turn yellow. Haha.. just picture his girlfriend visiting in a few years. I don’t want to discourage you from such a creative project, but keep in mind that it could turn into a major endeavor to change it later. Regardless, best of luck. If you decide to go for it, please do share the photos. And having worked with epoxy before, if you have any questions I might be able to assist with, don’t hesitate to ask.
On top of the concerns shared by others in the comments, you also have to consider resale value. Life is unpredictable.
A wall adorned with Pokémon cards would still look awesome and be simpler for a future buyer to modify.
My sons, who are 21 and 25, both had a deep love for Pokémon. But once they were over it, they were really over it and wouldn’t have appreciated having a floor covered in Pokémon cards. It would’ve been embarrassing for them in front of their friends. I personally wouldn’t go for it. I’m not saying you can’t get creative in other ways, some people have suggested using them for furniture or a wall display, and I completely agree with those options. I would just advise against anything too “permanent” (meaning difficult to change out). Also, it’s important to talk to your son about this because if he’s no longer interested in the cards, he definitely wouldn’t want his room decked out in them.
As a Pokémon player, I couldn’t help but gasp out loud at the idea of ruining cards. (Even though you’re right that their actual value is pretty low, especially the energy cards)
Aaaand now everyone knows what a huge nerd I am. 🤣
Thinking of creating an epoxy desk. It’s my vote for the next project!
In the late 80s, I had a complete collection of Pokémon cards, and now my nephews are obsessed with them. I couldn’t resist collecting them again when they made a comeback!
Currently working on a Pokémon floor project. I’m debating whether to apply a thin layer of epoxy over the cards or a thicker one. Any recommendations?
If he didn’t express interest in them, why attach them to his floor? It seems like he’s outgrowing this phase. I suggest not doing it.
That doesn’t seem like a sufficient amount of cards for a big picture frame display, or even for covering the entire floor. Personally, I’d create a collage with all of them and hang it on his wall.
I wouldn’t recommend it. Keep the cards and store them away. Someday, when he has kids, they’ll appreciate Pokémon and having some 20-year-old cards in their collection.
How about making a table? You can take it with you or sell it later. Much less effort and more practical.