Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 22, 2004 05:20pm | #1

   Define BEST!!!

   And the biggest thing you have not even mentioned. What is the money surface that you want.

   Flat cut, rotory cut? Speices? Prefinished? Square cut, beveled edges, micro bevel?Why engineered?

   And strip, planks, etc.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/22/2004 10:25 am ET by Bill Hartmann

1. 
   TomT226 | Oct 22, 2004 09:59pm | #3

   Maple or light oak, pre-finished, square cut planks.  $4-6.00 square foot. Glue or staple. 5-7/16", ply back or solid. No MDF. +/- 550 sq. ft.

   Need manufacturers and availability in Central Texas.

   Thanks.

2. 
   ed2 | Oct 22, 2004 05:53pm | #2

    

   bill is right, there is no "best"    lot of well made product out there, but if you're going over a sound subfloor, skip the bc skin, put that money into a 3/4" solid wood floor   that can be refinished in the future   engineered products aren't cheap, neither is the ply   real wood floor, finished or unfinished will be more cost effective, have higher resale value            you mention has to be 5/16" or thinner    if height is that critical, use a 1/2" solid product    will save you 1/16" vs. the 1/4 ply plus 5/16 engineered;     still be able to refinish it and will be stronger     faster and cheaper to install than original plan

1. 
   TomT226 | Oct 22, 2004 10:02pm | #4

   Subfloor is uneven 3/4" MDF. Skinning is necessary as I don't want to put leveling mastic down on MDF. Will skin then use the mastic on the 1/4". then staple or glue the floor to the finished surface.

   Thanks.

1. 
   ed2 | Oct 22, 2004 10:29pm | #5

   i follow you   the mdf wouldn't be a suitable nail base for the hardwood anyway    one of those times engineered is worth it's weight in gold    all of the engineered i've seen has been well made, no quality issues like delam etc.    might look for one w the thicker 1/8" veneer    local flooring place should be the best bet, can see what you're buying   

1. 
   Paularado | Oct 22, 2004 10:52pm | #6

   We're looking for this stuff too, and I agree that there are a million different varieties out there. But, if someone has a good experience or a bad experience, I would love to hear about it. We are installing engineered hardwood over gypcrete, so engineered is a must. We installed engineered in our old house and it looked great. There wasn't a single gap that developed EVER over the time we lived there (6 years). I hate bevels. Anyone have a suggestion on a floor? I mean, I could spend the rest of my life looking all over Denver and Boulder, or I could try to narrow down my choices. I always appreciate a good tip! I should mention that our old floor was made by Hartco. It looked pretty good, but the wear layer was paper thin. I should see if they have improved it. Thanks for starting this thread!Paula

   Edited 10/22/2004 4:56 pm ET by Paula

1. 
   ed2 | Oct 23, 2004 12:12am | #7

   i've used the harris tarkett longstrip   nice product, good veneer and finish    fit nice, but is a little pricey, think about $8.sf

2. 
   Paularado | Oct 23, 2004 12:24am | #8

   Thanks Ed,Just looked some up on the internet and it looks nice. I'll try to find some in person.It looks like a lot of this stuff is 7.5" wide. Is that because it is a 2-strip product?

   Edited 10/22/2004 5:29 pm ET by Paula

3. 
   ed2 | Oct 23, 2004 01:48am | #9

    

   all of the engineered i've seen is wider panels, but have heard there are skinnier ones out there    they can mimic 2 1/4" strip flooring, so you'll see three "planks" on the face    you don't have to spend that much, either   lot of decent product out there for less $

4. 
   pvaman | Oct 23, 2004 09:48pm | #10

   My dad installed engineered glue down wood and i'm not very impressed. The finish has worn off and i just don't think it looks that good. The rest of the house has 40 year old oak 3/4 inch oak traditional flooring and it still looks like new.

   Just one data point, but i'm not sold on the claim that the finish is so much better.

5. 
   aimless | Oct 26, 2004 10:34pm | #21

   There are plenty of companies that make 'strip' engineered wood floors. Lauzon, WFI, and Mannington are a few. Kahrs also offers some single strip engineered wood floors, but the species are limited compared to their other offerings. These don't have 3 strips on the face, they have just one strip per piece.

3. 
   WorkshopJon | Oct 23, 2004 10:32pm | #11

   Tom,

   On a budget, Bruce "Natural Reflections" pre-finished, solid plank, square edge 5/16" strip isn't all that bad at just over $4.00 sq/ft.  It doesn't look like site finished 3/4 t&g however.

   It does staple down pretty quick though.  If you glue it down at the same time, it does make the floor more ridged and prevents the seems from opening up when the seasons get dry.

   WSJ

4. 
   PhillGiles | Oct 23, 2004 10:36pm | #12

   No right answer without precise criterion; however, Ikea (I assume you have Ikea there) sell an engineered floor product that's surprising good value.

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 24, 2004 08:28pm | #14

   I checked both the US and Canadain Ikea websites and they don't show any engineered wood flooring.

1. 
   PhillGiles | Oct 25, 2004 06:24pm | #15

   What is your motive for this ? Just to annoy me ?

   Look down this page and you'll see that the Pittsburgh store even runs seminars on installation

   http://www.ikea-usa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&langId=-1&StoreName=pittsburgh

   and a couple of entries in their product database.

   http://www.ikea-usa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&langId=-1&categoryId=12401&cattype=sub&parentCats=10112*12401&chapterId=13708

   http://www.ikea-usa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&productId=47050&langId=-1&parentCats=10112*12401.

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 25, 2004 06:52pm | #16

   If you have read the product descriptions then you would see that I was right.

   "Main parts: Fiberboard, High pressure laminate"

1. 
   PhillGiles | Oct 25, 2004 07:40pm | #17

   And you don't think that's an engineered floor ?.

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

2. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 25, 2004 07:47pm | #18

   A) the thread is about engineered WOOD floor.

   B) By common trade usage the Ikea floors are not engineered flooring, the are laminated flooring.

3. FHB Editor
   JFink | Oct 26, 2004 08:39pm | #20

   alright, I have to ask....why did you use MDF for a subfloor?  I mean I can see it's a nice level material, but you said that it didn't end up level and you're going to put 1/4" over the top and then skim coat it? MDF won't hold the nails/staples very well either-  Just wondering why MDF for this install?"If God didn't want me to wear this Led Zeppelin shirt everyday he wouldn't have made them rock out so hard"

4. 
   TomT226 | Oct 27, 2004 01:23pm | #24

   Didn't put it down. It's an existing floor in a manufactured house. I'll use screws to put the 1/4" BC down so there's no chance of popping.

5. 
   ed2 | Oct 27, 2004 04:24pm | #25

   might consider gluing the ply w pl400 before fastening   keep a staple gun available in case the screws tend to spin but don't catch

6. 
   aimless | Oct 26, 2004 10:36pm | #22

   "And you don't think that's an engineered floor ? "

   I don't think so either. When I was shopping for floors those fell into the category of 'laminate', in order to be 'engineered' they need a real wood show surface.

5. 
   darcey | Oct 24, 2004 06:23pm | #13

   Another alternative to consider:

   Bamboo.

6. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 26, 2004 12:12am | #19

   give a look at the BR 111 website to see what all they have.

   I installed about 1500ft sq of their 5/16th inch stuff ... amendoim.

   it was a wider plank ... but it was some of the "nicest" stuff I've ever laid.

   seemed to be manufacturered to a pretty high tolerance.

   in this case ... it was edge glued over concrete.

   just took a quick look at the site to make sure I had the www right ....

   they have a new engineered product out too.

   http://www.br111.com

   Jeff

7. 
   andybuildz | Oct 26, 2004 10:39pm | #23

   Advatech......cept you have to paint the type of grain on it you like......or Pergo.....yeeeeee gad!!

   The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM