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Floating floors & H2O beds.

jet | Posted in General Discussion on October 6, 2002 03:58am

Got a friend who wants to put a floating wood floor in the bed room with a waterbed on top.  My thought would be that the floor would buckle or “Move” under the weight of the bed. Would it be wise to make that part of the floor shimed to be solid? Or would it not matter?

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  1. FastEddie1 | Oct 06, 2002 04:03am | #1

    A floating floor just means that it's not fastened to the subfloor.  Think of a piece of glass in a picture frame...the glass is free to shift around a little.  The watewr bed will certainly anchor that part of the floor.  What about condensation on the underside of the cool liner?  Will that be a problem? 

    1. jet | Oct 06, 2002 04:10am | #2

      Moisture is not the problem. The problem I foresee is the bed will push the floor down and cause a bump or ripple at the edge of the bed.

      1. FastEddie1 | Oct 06, 2002 04:43pm | #7

        How thick is your cushion?  All it takes is a 'bond breaker' between the slab and wood.  You don't need carpet pad.

        Yes, my first experience with a water bed was before many of you were born.  Simple 1x8 frame, bag full of water, and a 1/2" foam sheet on to to keep the cold from coming up.  Poured some bleach inro the water to keep algae from growing.

    2. Piffin | Oct 06, 2002 04:21am | #3

      cool liner?

      Modern waterbeds have heaters nowadays - not like back in the ice ages!.

      Excellence is its own reward!

      1. jet | Oct 06, 2002 05:12am | #4

        So Pif. what is your take on this.

        1. Piffin | Oct 06, 2002 05:33am | #5

          Except for the assumption of condensation, I'm with elcid72. If the normal floor structure will support it then go for it. Any expansion/contraction in the float floor materail will be in all directions away from the waterbed and there should be little if any directly under it because the water mass will maintain a stable temperature environment..

          Excellence is its own reward!

          1. MisterT | Oct 06, 2002 02:26pm | #6

            When I saw the title of this thread, the first thing that came to my mind was Boston Garden.

            They have one of those REALLY BIG waterbeds and when they are finished with the "Water Sports" they plan too put down the Parquet and play a different kind of One on One!

            TDo not try this at home!

            I am a trained professional!

        2. Floorman | Oct 06, 2002 07:20pm | #8

          You can glue down 1/8" masonite to the subfloor where the bed goes and then install the foam around it. Glue the floor to the masonite as well. The rest will float. I do this under toilets and at doorways that I want to stay fixed like at alternate floor junctures. GW

          1. jet | Oct 06, 2002 09:41pm | #9

            Thanks to all. I've e-mailed all the answers to my bud and see what he feels is good.

            So far I like Gregs idea of the masonite, with Piffins idea of a bond breaker.  So masonite with a craft paper between the masonite and the new floor.

          2. Piffin | Oct 07, 2002 01:15am | #10

            I know I've been here too much when I start getting credit for things I didn't say. Elcid (loved that movie BTW) haad the bond breaker point..

            Excellence is its own reward!

          3. jet | Oct 07, 2002 06:46am | #11

            OOPS!!!  Oh well.  Thanks to all anyway.

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