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Floating floor material choice

| Posted in General Discussion on December 4, 2002 07:57am

I will be installing a floating floor as part of a dedicated home theater (in addition to staggered stud walls, insulation, ‘heavy’ vinyl, etc.) The floating floor will be set on acoustic rubber pads 2′ on center. I want to use a sheet good that has consistent tolerances, as it won’t be fastened to the floor or to each other, but will have pad and carpet attached to it. I am considering 3/4 MDF or particleboard. Dont know if they have different acoustic properties, but the MDF would certainly add considerable weight (both a benefit and a risk). Also considering 3/4 t&g studifloor plywood.

Any experiences or suggestions?

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Replies

  1. Haole27 | Dec 04, 2002 04:48pm | #1

    i put down a junckers solid oak floating floor 5 years over underlayment/concrete, great product! am planning on using this product again

    http://www.junckershardwood.com

    1. Zeakster | Dec 04, 2002 08:44pm | #2

      There are many floating floors out there with hundreds of choices.  Personally, I would use 1-1/8" Sturdifloor if your installing it over floor joists.

      1. ericbuller | Dec 05, 2002 12:28am | #3

        thanks for the reply. to be clear, I am not looking at the laminate 'floating floor' type installation, but rather one that rests on 2 inch square acoustic rubber pads 2 ft on center. This will serve as a subfloor for carpet, and is being installed to isolate structural vibration from the home theater passing through the floor joists and studwalls below. 1 1/8 inch sounds like overkill a bit, if I already have an existing subfloor in the space. any other thoughts?

        1. YouBetchYa | Dec 05, 2002 09:48pm | #9

          "rests on 2 inch square acoustic rubber pads 2 ft on center"

          Just a thought - If your subfloor is spanning the 2' between the spacers, is there a chance for sagging?  I am guessing it will, maybe trying 1'o.c. or 16"o.c. would help? 

          Check with the mnf.

          1. brucepirger | Dec 06, 2002 08:20am | #10

            Yeah, do you really mean 2" squares 2' on center? So that's over a 20" span...and not even along perpendicular continous joists. Are we missing something? I understand the desire for isolation...just seems like you might NEED the 1.125 so as not to sag, spring, and bounce.

          2. HARDWOODGUY | Dec 08, 2002 11:08am | #11

            Bull:

            Just like youbetcha says...why 2' on center? If I recall the last job I was involved in using  the thingies you speak of it was more like 6" OC. Yea, I know I said I wasn't coming back here but I thought I'd test the waters.

            Ken Fisher

            http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwoodinstaller/

          3. andybuildz | Dec 12, 2002 11:01pm | #12

            Ken

                Nice to see ya back

            Namaste'

                         AndyYou don’t complete your inner work before you do your outer work. Nor do you say, "Well, the hell with the inner work: I’ll go do the outer work because it’s so important and pressing." That’s not conscious either. The conscious thing is the simultaneous doing of both. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

    2. F1ETCH | Dec 05, 2002 04:43am | #4

      Hi

      I just poured a concrete /radiant heat floor. I intend to use Junkers flooring. I have a couple of test samples and I noticed that the floor has some movement to it.

      What is your opinion on the feeling when you walk on it? I assume yours is held together with the SS clips. I love the coloring and finish quality . Did you use the felt pad that Junkers supplies? Where did you purchase your floor? Did you install it? How many SQ/ft did you install ?

      Edited 12/5/2002 9:31:01 PM ET by Fletch

      1. Haole27 | Dec 05, 2002 05:27pm | #6

        Fletch

        I installed Junckers Oak (a colleaugue subsribed to FH and that is how I came to find FH)  in my 13x19 family room over concrete slab. I used their underlayment and SS clips.

        There is NO lateral movement whatsoever, and there shouldnt be as the floor weighs around 600 lbs. There is a nice subtle give as you walk, feels and sounds great.

        I am planning on adding another 400 sqft to my living room/dining room. This space is over basement so I will be nailing.

        Since there are no local distributors where I live (MI) I ordered direct from the HQ in Calif. Actually, this saved me money as the dists markup.

        The finish is holding up well after 5 years, just some surface scratches (mostly from my golden retriever) but I ordered the Harmony No 2 with some small knots so the rustic look is good.

        Haole

        1. F1ETCH | Dec 05, 2002 05:49pm | #7

          haole27

          Thank you. that is what I needed to know. I noticed the subtle movement you described and I had some concerns. Do you have a contact name and number for Junckers HQ. Would you mind telling me what your  sq/ft price was  with the felt and clips .

          Thanks gain

          Fletch

          Edited 12/5/2002 9:30:14 PM ET by Fletch

          Edited 12/10/2002 7:05:10 PM ET by Fletch

          1. Haole27 | Dec 05, 2002 05:53pm | #8

            http://www.junckershardwood.com/maintaining.html

            dont be concerned about the subtle movement, it is fine

  2. andybuildz | Dec 05, 2002 09:24am | #5

    Bull

        Being that youre covering it I'd go with the MDF biscuited together. Its heavy and very stable. Use yellow carpenters glue to glue each panel and the biscuits together. I cant see you having any problems at all with that.

    Good luck and post pictures.

    So whats in your theater?

    Namaste

                 Andy

    It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

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