*
We’ve been shopping for wood flooring. When it comes to hardwood, laminates to solid wood there’s lots to choose from. I’m partial to solid wood, so the Bruce 5/16″ T&G pre-finished solid select red oak looked like the best value at $4.79 per sq.ft., plus $2.50 installation. It gets blind nailed, (actually stapled). They have a 25yr. warranty on the finish (we know how that works), which would at least beat a site finish job. Just wondering if anyone has tried it and what you think.
Dave
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
There's a constant source of clean water for you to use, and all you have to do is collect it.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
I've used the pre-finished product only once, with fair results.
Most of my stuff is remodeling/restoration, and I usually am faced with a 40-100 year old floor, uneven joists, poor subfloor, etc. Therefore when I install the pre-finished product, the subfloor/underlayment has to be right on, absoultely dead perfect, which is never the case for me. Even if I rip out the old subfloor and re-do the underlayment, the old joists are usually uneven, and to get something that perfect, I really have to shim and fuss around.
So I need the ability to sand down any imperfections and adjust the flooring to less than perfect conditions. I usually install no less than 1/2" stock, and generally recommend 3/4", and put 3-4 coats of poly over it.
Your 5/16" product will not be able to bear much of a sanding in the event the homeowner has to do it in 8-10 years. A 1/2 product can withstand 1 maybe two good sandings, and well, a 3/4" product is practically forever.
Your 5/16" product is cheap and does have an advange of looking really good, and a spray factory finish beats whatever we can put on. Bottom line is if you have a great underlayment, I see no problem with the 5/16" product, but I'd give the homeowner some choices.
*Scooter:Actually the Bruce that David speaks of can be sanded a few times as it's a solid and has a reasonable wear layer. I can't say much for it's quality however, unless it's been improved the last I used it(12 months ago). But improved with Bruce? I hardly think so! If it's the same product I am familiar with the waste factor was above the norm as there was ALOT of overwood on the end joints, intense mineral streaking, and piles upon piles of shorts. So many short pieces I couldn't keep up with them.