The OFFICIAL Hardwood Flooring Thread

[patrob]

hey patrob,

what is the best/easiest way to pickup crumbs on hardwood floor on a daily basis? (don't want to drag out the vacuum everyday; swiffer sweeper only picks up dirt)

also, my hardwood installer told me not to use bona or any other type of hardwood cleaner spray....says it isn't good for my hardwood....says to simply use a damp cloth...it will do the job...should i follow this? solid red oak floors...brand is Deerwood...

Sorry but vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Never heard of Deerwood but best way is to contact the manufacturer & they have to tell you how to maintain it. Bona or other type of hardwood cleaners are most frequently used on prefinished hardwood or laminate floors with great results.

[patrob]

Patrob, what about the Chinese made claim?

Nothing that's manufactured at Vintage comes from China, not even a stick!

[wookie]

looking at getting torly/quickstep laminiate as i want durability with two small children. i had it previously in our old place but wasnt there very long. anyone give any feedback on this product?
it is one of the few that has 35 yr warranty against gaps, moisture, scratches etc.

[patrob]

looking at getting torly/quickstep laminiate as i want durability with two small children. i had it previously in our old place but wasnt there very long. anyone give any feedback on this product?
it is one of the few that has 35 yr warranty against gaps, moisture, scratches etc.

Torlys makes one of the best laminates but there are always exclusions for any warranty so read the fine details. I am sure it will last you for a very long time.

[wookie]

Torlys makes one of the best laminates but there are always exclusions for any warranty so read the fine details. I am sure it will last you for a very long time.

any other brands you would recommend that is comparible to torlys/quickstep?
any thoughts on the various underpad? (cork, 3in1, 4in1, 5in1)

[patrob]

any other brands you would recommend that is comparible to torlys/quickstep?
any thoughts on the various underpad? (cork, 3in1, 4in1, 5in1)

Most of the laminates are very similar, they are all very durable. Cork = expensive. 3-in-1 is more than enough for residential.

[hostlead]

What is your opinion on http://www.lumberliquidators.ca/can/?

[whitestar]

Hi Patrob,

I'll be removing old 2" strip hardwood and replacing it with some 3 1/4" or 4" Vintage Solid Sawn flooring. The flooring is currently installed horizontally in the Master bedroom and vertically in hallway and other 3 bedrooms. (see attached image) I'll probably lay it down the same. Question is where to start?

I know its recommended to start with exterior walls but I'm afraid it may not finish well at the stairs. I was thinking of starting at the stairs (S2 in pic below) and working my way out in both directions, ending at the exterior walls where there will be furniture so its not as obvious if its slightly off.

Another option would be doing the entire floor in the same direction as the Master bedroom, starting at the back exterior wall and working my way to the front. The joists will be in the same direction for all rooms except Master with this choice though, which I've heard is not recommended. Joists are 16" and subfloor is either 5/8" or 3/4" plywood I believe.

Which do you recommend? Btw great thread.

(Blacks line are how floor is currently installed and how I am planning on installing. Red lines are potential starting points)

ps. I may have the stairs done to match, or perhaps just sand and stain myself.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...loorlayout.jpg

[patrob]

What is your opinion on http://www.lumberliquidators.ca/can/?

I am not a fan of liquidators or auctions, you get what you pay for. Most of the products they sell, you will not find at professional hardwood stores & a lot of it comes from China.

[patrob]

Hi Patrob,

I'll be removing old 2" strip hardwood and replacing it with some 3 1/4" or 4" Vintage Solid Sawn flooring. The flooring is currently installed horizontally in the Master bedroom and vertically in hallway and other 3 bedrooms. (see attached image) I'll probably lay it down the same. Question is where to start?

I know its recommended to start with exterior walls but I'm afraid it may not finish well at the stairs. I was thinking of starting at the stairs (S2 in pic below) and working my way out in both directions, ending at the exterior walls where there will be furniture so its not as obvious if its slightly off.

Another option would be doing the entire floor in the same direction as the Master bedroom, starting at the back exterior wall and working my way to the front. The joists will be in the same direction for all rooms except Master with this choice though, which I've heard is not recommended. Joists are 16" and subfloor is either 5/8" or 3/4" plywood I believe.

Which do you recommend? Btw great thread.

(Blacks line are how floor is currently installed and how I am planning on installing. Red lines are potential starting points)

ps. I may have the stairs done to match, or perhaps just sand and stain myself.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...loorlayout.jpg

Install the floors the same as currently if done across the joists. The S2 at the nosing is the proper place to start. But make sure you shoot the lines & measure what happens in the rooms. In the master bed. start at the entrance with a full board but make sure it's all square, that's what chalk like & measuring tape is for

[domhnall]

So, here I am months later and still not purchased my hardwood. I have been keeping up with this thread regularly, but I am still trapped in the world of tiles, so I am still planning. But I do have a question...

My sub-floor is diagonal flooboards. To reduce deflection for the tiled area, I used 3/4" OSB Norbord Truflor as an underlayment, plus Ditra, plus tile (3/8", if I'm not mistaken). There are adjoining areas where the hardwood will be added. One had carpet and has a layer of 1/4" underlayment overtop the flooboards. The other area is old 3/8" strip hardwood, with just a layer of paper in between.

What would you recommend for these areas? I thought about pulling up the old 1/4" underlayment and replacing it with another layer of Truflor to match the height of the tiles (have to measure tonight to know exact). What are the suggested underlayments to go above floorboards?

Thanks, Patrob!

[patrob]

So, here I am months later and still not purchased my hardwood. I have been keeping up with this thread regularly, but I am still trapped in the world of tiles, so I am still planning. But I do have a question...

My sub-floor is diagonal flooboards. To reduce deflection for the tiled area, I used 3/4" OSB Norbord Truflor as an underlayment, plus Ditra, plus tile (3/8", if I'm not mistaken). There are adjoining areas where the hardwood will be added. One had carpet and has a layer of 1/4" underlayment overtop the flooboards. The other area is old 3/8" strip hardwood, with just a layer of paper in between.

What would you recommend for these areas? I thought about pulling up the old 1/4" underlayment and replacing it with another layer of Truflor to match the height of the tiles (have to measure tonight to know exact). What are the suggested underlayments to go above floorboards?

Thanks, Patrob!

If you want to match to the height of the tile & you have to add some sort of underlay, I wouldn't use anything else than plywood if you need something below 1/2". Above 1/2" you can use both OSB or ply. If the floorboards are in good shape & you are not matching height, you don't really need any sort of additional sub-floor.

[ravesko]

Hi everyone,

This question is for Patrob and others with expertise - we are going to install engineered harwood in the basement, approx 900 sq feet to be used for family with kids.

We had budgeted $5/sq foot (not including install) and have narrowed our choices down to:

-Torlys Lexington Laminate Autem Walnut
-Twelve Oaks Hickory Homestead

Our concern with the Torlys product is that it seems thin, but the salesperson said that it will be fine in the basement and is solid quality. It is approx $2.30 sq/foot, so we are somewhat worried that the product might be 'cheap'. We are going to have maple cabinets and granite for the bar, and want a floor that complements it - aesthetically, the Torlys product does, but not sure about the overall quality, as it appears thin to other laminates as well as engineered hardwood products.

Went to another store and really like the 12 Oaks sample - lady said that it is made in Canada, but the company website does not indicate where this product is made. It is about $5 sq/foot - looks and feels like good quality, but have some concerns about where exactly it is from - I saw another post where Patrob indicated it is from China - would this be a good product to install?

Basically these are our two choices - if anyone can recommend what one might be better, pls reply.

Thanks!

[patrob]

Hi everyone,

This question is for Patrob and others with expertise - we are going to install engineered harwood in the basement, approx 900 sq feet to be used for family with kids.

We had budgeted $5/sq foot (not including install) and have narrowed our choices down to:

-Torlys Lexington Laminate Autem Walnut
-Twelve Oaks Hickory Homestead

Our concern with the Torlys product is that it seems thin, but the salesperson said that it will be fine in the basement and is solid quality. It is approx $2.30 sq/foot, so we are somewhat worried that the product might be 'cheap'. We are going to have maple cabinets and granite for the bar, and want a floor that complements it - aesthetically, the Torlys product does, but not sure about the overall quality, as it appears thin to other laminates as well as engineered hardwood products.

Went to another store and really like the 12 Oaks sample - lady said that it is made in Canada, but the company website does not indicate where this product is made. It is about $5 sq/foot - looks and feels like good quality, but have some concerns about where exactly it is from - I saw another post where Patrob indicated it is from China - would this be a good product to install?

Basically these are our two choices - if anyone can recommend what one might be better, pls reply.

Thanks!

From what I know, there is no laminate made in Canada (I may be wrong). Both products are good but I would not pay $5 for laminate! Have you checked the Costco laminate for less than $2 sq. ft. & they have a walnut colour. Many people are happy with the overall quality especially for the price you get & sometimes it does go on sale. There is a big thread about it.

[ravesko]

Thanks Patrob - appreciate your response. We had budgeted $5 for engineered hardwood but took a look at the $2.30 laminate from Torlys. I'm just reviewing some more information from the thread.