Does anyone have experience with the Launstein 3/8 wood floors. I would love to use 3/4″ white pine but I have issues with the stairs. I have to go over the original strip flooring and I fear a layer of luan and full thickness flooring would throw off the first riser too much. I also considered using the 3/4 floor and just “boxing” out a landing at the bottom of the stairs usin the original floor there to maintain consistency in the risers. Anybody forsee any problems with that as far as codes or people tripping etc. I really don’t want to go the laminate route unless somebody here has some good recommendations regarding such. Thanks in advance .
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Crawdad11
I live in Southeast MI and have only a short drive to Launstein to buy direct. The 3/8 flooring is a great product and a good buy. I installed it in 2 rooms that were completely remodeled.
A friend of mine retrofitted his staircase using Launstein 1/4 sawn white oak. The original staircase has carpet over the 2 x treads. Due to the flatness variation of the 2x boards - he replaced with glued 3/4 plywood treads (2 pieces thick) then installed the Launstein 3/8 - used the matching bullnose molding to finish out the step.
It turned out great. Quiet and rock solid.
Don't know if the plywood re-treading was really necessary, but he felt it was. No change to the overall layout of the stair case was needed.
Don't know anything regarding codes for your possible plan for a box landing.
Good luck. If you do decide the go the Launstein route - consider the 1/4 sawn options. The cost is not prohibitive when compared to the select/common grade. The overall upgrade in appearance will more than justify the small price increase.
Thanks for the reply. Its nice to know that you've had good experience w/ the launstein floors. I'll definitely have an option other than laminates. Craw
Does anyone have experience with the Launstein 3/8 wood floors."
Yes and no. Spoke to the owner on the phone years ago. He sent some samples to me overnite air, no charge. I didn't care for the beveled edge, but aside from that personal preferance, it appeared to be a good product
Well machined. Opted for a competitors prefinished product that was square edge and less expensive. Would it have been available square edge, I would have bought it. But it wasn't so I didn't.
WSJ
WSJ-
I did the same a while back - called and had some samples shipped. I'm still interested but am slightly turned off by the beveled edge - especially because we're considering using it in a kitchen - I'm envisioning channels of crumbs.
What product did you go with - and are you positive they don't do a straight edge board? I was impressed with the sample and the price is attractive - even all the way out here in Oregon.
And to those that have used the flooring - did you get the prefinished or did you finish yourselves?
Thanks,
JK
I'm envisioning channels of crumbs"
Kr,
Thought the same thing too. Went with, 'um....Bruce 5/16 "Natural Reflections" for my entire first floor (kitchen included) which I would recommend with negative indifference. @$4.15 sq/ft, the price was right. If Launstien made a product that had a square edge, AND only needed a lite touch sanding with a DA after install, he'd have something there. The Bruce does not mimic site finished 3/4 t&g for a variety of reasons..
WSJ
Installed some 3/8' oak in an addition where the floors didn't quite match the height of the existing oak 3/4" floor. Actually worked well. Good product, easy to install and finish. Like the others , I had samples sent out quickly. Also like the others I didnh't really care for the beveled edge. The way I look at it , it is an excellant product for someone who wants to apply a 'real' wood floor and doesn't want to sand. You can finish it right out of the box. If you want to refinish a prefinished floor it's tough, this is more user friendly for the non-professional floor finisher. Just my two cents.
Thanks for the input folks