Replies

1. 
   gdavis62 | Jun 13, 2004 06:49pm | #1

   Bostik's Best works for me.  It is a moisture curing urethane.

1. 
   terryb | Jun 16, 2004 07:47am | #10

   not THE Bob Dylan surely?

2. 
   Duey | Jun 15, 2004 02:26am | #2

           Contact the Bruce flooring company over the internet and use whatever they recomend for THEIR flooring. Anything else will most likely void any warranty they have on their flooring.

                                                                                                       Duey

3. 
   ken1jr1 | Jun 15, 2004 02:36am | #3

   Chip,

   Since this wood flooring is for your home in the long term- you should seriously consider doing it right the first time to avoid future problems.

   In theory, you could use liquid nails. BUT, you better plan on buying alot of it and spending the time to precisely put down your beads of adhesive across the entire installation. And, then be prepared to weigh the entire floor down while the liquid nails tacks & then sets- it is a much longer amount of time then adhesives made for this purpose.

   If you want to do it right with the least amount of problems, look into either Bostik's Best Urethane adhesive (as was previously recommended) or into Dri-Tac's Urethane adhesive. A 4 gallon pail will certainly take care of your area. Purchase a trowel and apply your adhesive and the mess & clean-up won't be bad and it will go quicker than you think.

   The most vital area to a successful glue down floor is the floor prep & adhesive. Don't cut corners or skimp on either one of these points and you will have eliminated 90% of the problems that are associated with this type of installation.

   Ken

1. 
   ChipTait | Jun 16, 2004 01:47am | #7

   Thanks much for the advise.... Looks like I'll be trowelling by Friday!

   Cheers to all!

   Chip

4. 
   Mongo | Jun 15, 2004 05:28am | #4

   Is the slab above grade or below grade? Some flooring shouldn't be glued to slabs below grade. Regardless, do a moisture check on the slab.

   After that is taken care of, do what was previously said...see what adhesive Bruce recommends for this flooring.

   After you find that out, do what was previously said...use Bostik's Best.

   The heck with proprietary adhesives. Use the best, which is Bostik's.

   If you just happened to be scared off by not using the Bruce adhesive, call their tech department and have them try to explain to you how their adhesive is better than Bostik's. Bruce's adhesive is also a moisture-cured urethane, and I wouldn't be suprised if...well...just ask their tech department who makes the Bruce adhesive.

5. 
   sungod | Jun 15, 2004 05:29pm | #5

   If there is any drywall or plaster mud on it, then it wont stick.

6. 
   hammer | Jun 15, 2004 07:37pm | #6

   It was mentioned to check moisture in the concrete. I would hate to see what happens to this floor if moisture is leaching thru the concrete. Make sure you seal the floor with a water proofing product. I found "Valspar" concrete seal to work well.

   How level is your concrete pour? Could be a problem when gluing down panels.

7. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 16, 2004 01:58am | #8

   I've used the Bruce urethane adhesive before ...

   for their 5/16th hardwood over concrete ....

   me ... I'd stick with the Bruce.

   it might not be better than the bosticks ... but the bosticks can't be much better than the Bruce either.

   The Bruce adhesive worked great. Stuck to everything ... nice consistency ...

   Only problem .... I had to get about twice what they "recommended" ...

   I think they estimate the whole job being done in one day ... or having more than one installer working ...

   I lost lots of adhesive by not being able to scrape the cans completely clean ....

   and .... even with the best sealed can ... once open ... it was pretty much a loss if you opened it .. sealed it ... then tried to use that same can the next morning.

   I also have to factor into it that the concrete I was installing over was fairly rough ... and the customer didn't want to float or grind it all smooth ...

   so I'm sure a nice hard/smooth floor would eat up less adhesive.

   I see the same thing when laying tile with thinset.

   Don't bother ordering the "special" Bruce trowel they recommend ...

   I think it cost me $35?

   Found the same tooth pattern at HD for about $8.

   Buy the cheaper trowels with the right teeth .. and buy lotsa them.

   The stuff is a bear to clean up.

   How big an area are ya doing ....

   Mine was 1600ft sq.

   Took too long to think about .. and killed my back.

   plus ... ruined lotsa work clothes.

   on the plus side ... the full trowel does make for a nice cushion under the wood.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

1. 
   ChipTait | Jun 16, 2004 04:00am | #9

   All good advice, thank you...

   I'm just doing a +/- 200 sq. ft. den/library.

   I was thinking of cutting all the pieces and laying out the entire floor before opening a pail of adhesive, just to make sure I have enough material/proper fit. Does this make sense, or am I just duplicating my efforts?