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Post by effigy on Jan 31, 2008 15:55:44 GMT
I'm looking to move into our new abode soon, and I'm thinking of laying a solid wood floor - probably oak. Anyone have any pointers, tips, hints, warnings that I should be aware of?  |
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Post by modernist on Jan 31, 2008 16:07:17 GMT
Personally I would go for an engineered version with 4 ish mm of oak on a cross grained substrate. All the benefits with none of the disadvantages IMHO. I have just bought an ash version via the internet at £19/m2 which went down well.
Brian
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Post by jaco on Jan 31, 2008 16:36:26 GMT
Brian,
Please elaborate more on the "benefits & disadvantages", be good to know.
Phil
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Post by modernist on Jan 31, 2008 20:08:36 GMT
Well...........
In a nutshell the purpose of engineered is to make it more stable. whilst retaining genuine timber top, which can be re-sanded in the event of damage or wear and tear.
It is extremely stable, even with underfloor heating, providing it is fitted correctly.
Oak boards are oak boards and will require room to expand and contract, cup etc which means gaps which then collect debris.
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Post by modernist on Jan 31, 2008 20:13:11 GMT
Further thoughts... I do tend to go for a light, clean appearance hence maple, ash etc. If you are going rustic then the board route may be better. Another advantage of engineered is speed and ease of fitting. I still bear the scars of refinishing and fitting 2 tons of 100 year old Canadian Maple. It was/is like cast iron and had arms like Tarzan having weilded the flooring cramp thousands of times - not to mention the nailing.  |
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Post by thatsnotafestool on Feb 1, 2008 14:52:50 GMT
Personally I prefer 'real' solid oak as the engineered boards look too 'plasticky' for my liking.
It depends on what sort of property you have as well. I got my oak from Good Brothers and they do different types ranging from the most expensive where all the knot holes and small shakes are filled in ...down to the least expensive where they aren't (and which go well in my cottage).
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Post by effigy on Feb 1, 2008 15:57:13 GMT
B&Q have a sale on at the moment, the solid oak flooring is going for £27 sqm! Seems too good to pass up. I was thinking of using the adhesive underlay to lay it.
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Post by jake on Feb 1, 2008 16:00:41 GMT
I prefer the real thing, too. Engineered boards, even the really good ones look too slick, too close to laminate, for me. And most of the ones I've seen are 6' maybe 7' max - too short for my liking.
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Post by thatsnotafestool on Feb 6, 2008 13:18:52 GMT
B&Q have a sale on at the moment, the solid oak flooring is going for £27 sqm! Seems too good to pass up. I was thinking of using the adhesive underlay to lay it. Before you commit, consider Good Brothers up near Mortimer Cross. I bought my character grade oak from there...up to 8" wide and very very long lengths for less than the B&Q price. Not that I have anything against B&Q, you understand  |
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Post by effigy on Feb 6, 2008 14:12:08 GMT
Before you commit, consider Good Brothers up near Mortimer Cross. I bought my character grade oak from there...up to 8" wide and very very long lengths for less than the B&Q price Thanks for the link, I shall certainly go and have a look, though the price for their Rustic quality is just under £33/sq m. The Character grade is just over £38/sq m. |
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Post by Keith on Feb 6, 2008 18:05:22 GMT
I bought some timber flooring from Good Bros and was very disappointed with it. They did get me some very long lengths that I couldn't get anywhere else but they completely bodged filling the knots worse still the moisture content varied from 8-20%.
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Post by jfc on Feb 6, 2008 23:02:47 GMT
If its pre finished solid wood then one thing you will find is gaps between the boards . If you lay two together that are 1mm smaller then you have a 2mm gap . If you have time to dry fit the floor before you glue or nail it then you have to much time on your hands ;D For the best results buy solid wood flooring unfinished and fill the gaps then finish and be prepared to refill the gaps .
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Post by thatsnotafestool on Feb 7, 2008 9:51:25 GMT
Before you commit, consider Good Brothers up near Mortimer Cross. I bought my character grade oak from there...up to 8" wide and very very long lengths for less than the B&Q price Thanks for the link, I shall certainly go and have a look, though the price for their Rustic quality is just under £33/sq m. The Character grade is just over £38/sq m. That's their 'list' price, I think. |
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Post by thatsnotafestool on Feb 7, 2008 9:52:49 GMT
I bought some timber flooring from Good Bros and was very disappointed with it. They did get me some very long lengths that I couldn't get anywhere else but they completely bodged filling the knots worse still the moisture content varied from 8-20%. Fair point..have to say that we went for unfilled as it matches better the building it's going in to and so I didn't face this problem. Maybe it's the luck of the draw? |
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