The OFFICIAL Hardwood Flooring Thread

[patrob]

Hi patrob,
Had a question regarding european white oak. I am looking into Coswick pre finished quarter sawn 3/4' flooring.
Should I be concerned that the Janka rating on the european white oak is 1120, it is a lesser rating than its domestic cousin.
Also, do you recommend a manufacturer of pre finished quarter sawn oak flooring?
btw, I love all the info on your forum.
Thanks!

If you are looking for that specific wood, don't worry about lesser hardness. Will pm you with info on local North American quarter sawn oak supplier.

[patrob]

I just finished removing all the flooring from my basement: I had a leaking foundation that rotted out all of my subfloor.

The plan:

1. Fix all the cracks in the concrete floor and foundation to help waterproof the basement (it's never 100%, but it can be close to dry).
2. Lay down Platon layer with edges curling up behind the 2 x 4 wall 24"
3. Lay down the underlay for engineered flooring.
4. Lay the flooring on top of this.

Now, I have heard people tell me that I have to have some kind of plywood layer under this, but the manufacturer of Platon tells me that I don't need this.

any recommendations?

The above list is correct & no you do not need any type of additional plywood subfloor.

[adil88]

No oil soaps, vinegar, Pledge cleaners & any oil or soap based cleaners! Buy a hardwood flooring cleaner like Vintage, Mirage or Bona & keep using it until the film from the other cleaner is gone. The other types of cleaners are like applying a coating on your existing finish & very often hard to take off.

Thanks! Where can I buy Bona products? Also, what about Swiffer wet pads?

[patrob]

Thanks! Where can I buy Bona products? Also, what about Swiffer wet pads?

Wet Swiffer is too wet, leaves streaks. For Bona try big box stores.

[Limoges_shopper]

The above list is correct & no you do not need any type of additional plywood subfloor.

Thank you! I am only concerned with the cracks in the floor, and the slight heaving - I will look into poring some self-levelling concrete first to make the floor flatter.

[patrob]

Thank you! I am only concerned with the cracks in the floor, and the slight heaving - I will look into poring some self-levelling concrete first to make the floor flatter.

The basement floor is supposed to have slope towards the drain so don't level it too much.

[caraj4u]

I'm looking at approximately 1000 sq feet and 15 stairs. Main floor living room, kitchen and second floor hallway. Existing carpet in living room/upper level hallway and ceramic tiles in the kitchen will need to be pulled up. We are also considering cork flooring in all the bedrooms. We had it in our last home and liked it a lot.

I'm trying to find suppliers/installers in KW only because it's easier to go look at different flooring samples locally. I'm looking for a Vintage supplier here mainly because you have a high opinion of their product.

Thanks

try source flooring distributor on Victoria street in Kithener(going towards guelph, before you hit lackner blvd), they have a huge warehouse also there are bunch of other guys on victoria street they will provide you with installers too or else try kijiji there are tons of add for hardwood installers, but be cautious to check their quality of work and once you are donne or find some one let me know cus i willl need a hardwood installer/supplier in few months for my new home

[mdaez]

Hello,
We bought a new build house and had the decor center appointment yesterday. The house comes with 2 1/4" hardwood on the main floor and oak stairs. We decided to upgrade the main floor hardwood to Mirage 3 1/4" Oak in the Umbria colour. However, the builder is charging $1000 to have the same Mirage hardwood installed on the stairs landing. We inquired about using unfinished hardwood and then staining it with the same stain they are using on the stairs but they said they don't install bare wood. So our options are:
1. Pay the $1000 and get the Mirage Oak Umbria on the landing
2. Have the builder not install any hardwood on the landing and then install something ourselves after closing.
3. Have the builder install the standard hardwood in the Honey Oak finish and then sand and stain the landing ourselves after closing.
We are not very handy so what I'm asking is whether options 2 or 3 are easy to do or should we just swallow the cost and have the builder install the Mirage Oak on the landing?
Thanks for your help.

[patrob]

Hello,
We bought a new build house and had the decor center appointment yesterday. The house comes with 2 1/4" hardwood on the main floor and oak stairs. We decided to upgrade the main floor hardwood to Mirage 3 1/4" Oak in the Umbria colour. However, the builder is charging $1000 to have the same Mirage hardwood installed on the stairs landing. We inquired about using unfinished hardwood and then staining it with the same stain they are using on the stairs but they said they don't install bare wood. So our options are:
1. Pay the $1000 and get the Mirage Oak Umbria on the landing
2. Have the builder not install any hardwood on the landing and then install something ourselves after closing.
3. Have the builder install the standard hardwood in the Honey Oak finish and then sand and stain the landing ourselves after closing.
We are not very handy so what I'm asking is whether options 2 or 3 are easy to do or should we just swallow the cost and have the builder install the Mirage Oak on the landing?
Thanks for your help.

Where are you located here in GTA? Can you post the floorplan link so I can see the size of your landing?

[flip114]

In my new home I have unfinished red oak hardwood stairs. However the landings (x3) are carpeted. I would like to possibly install unfinished red oak hardwood on the landings and then stain the entire stair case at the same time. Is it important that I get the exact type of red oak tree used in the stairs so that when I stain them it will look even? I have no idea the specific type of red oak used in my stair case.

[Kristen3]

Hello Patrob,

We are looking at re-doing our whole main level in hardwood (around 1000 sq. ft). Not sure what kind to go with, but were hoping for a $4 per sq. ft range. I saw these floors in a photo and really liked them. I wondered if you could tell from looking what kind of floor it is? I see that you dont prefer birch, but I really like the look of it. Is it actually a bad quality wood? Do you think I will regret it later even if I really like the look of it? I am thinking maybe a rustic birch? I know i dont like the look of oak, and I prefer seeing the knots in the birch that i have looked at so far...what do you think?
Thanks!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76379627@N06/6853195107/

[mdaez]

Where are you located here in GTA? Can you post the floorplan link so I can see the size of your landing?

We live in Brampton right now but bought a home in Caledon. Here is the link to the floorplan. It is the 36 ft. single called Oak.

Thanks so much for the help

[Gecko169]

Hi......

I'm new hear and glad to have found this site and this thread - most informative so THANK YOU to all who have been contributing. In my old house I put down Kahrs engineered "click" floating flooring on the entire bedroom level for about 1000' and loved it. Since moving to the Niagara area I have a Viceroy home and I;m building a garage with a bedroom up top. Total footage will be 653' and wondering if you would recommend this same floor or something else. Love the look of real wood, but seen some laminates out there that appear to be as nice. The floating floor is nice but a different sound that takes getting used to. The house now has 6.25" bamboo in the kitchen, 2.75" oak strip hardwood, slate and the back bedrooms are parquey - which are going to be stripped and restained dark (thanks - read this on hear, good idea) for a richer look.

Any comments on Kahrs flooring as not seen anything here??? If someone can refer me to a floor shop, I'll shop local. As before, I'll install the flooring myself.

Again a BIG THANKS for many who contributed and especially PATROB..........

Shawna

[Shad0w]

I know this is NOT a hardwood flooring question but Im looking for someone to install trim, baseboards, and door casings...
I was doing it myself, but Ive gotten quite busy and would rather someone finish the job off...

1/2 the house is complete...
Im looking for someone that is willing to put in the time to find angles properly, all joints tight and glued, someone that will take their time and do it right...

If anyone has any references, pls pass them my way... as well, looking for a very good paint guy to finish house as well.

[Jimboski]

I know this is NOT a hardwood flooring question but Im looking for someone to install trim, baseboards, and door casings...
I was doing it myself, but Ive gotten quite busy and would rather someone finish the job off...

1/2 the house is complete...
Im looking for someone that is willing to put in the time to find angles properly, all joints tight and glued, someone that will take their time and do it right...

If anyone has any references, pls pass them my way... as well, looking for a very good paint guy to finish house as well.

Where are you located?