Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 18, 2000 12:39am | #1

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   Kathi,

   Select, 2 1/4" red oak, quarter sawn, stained just dark enough to tone it down a little and to get a more uniform color. There are several manufacturers. Use what the professional hardwood floor people are using.

   Red dog

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   Guest_ | Aug 18, 2000 01:18am | #2

   *Select 2 1/4" quartersawn white oak, with Minwax stain 50/50 mix of Red Oak + Red Mahogany (or play with combinations, not the straight stain colors) finished with penetrating oil and wax or oil-modified polyurethane (Duraseal, Last N Last etc.).Screen out 'shorts' (2' or less) use miniumum 4' lengths, the longer the better. Discard pieces with sap stains or other defects. Consider border inlays of contrasting woods if you want more elegance.Search the archives for more.

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   Jim_K_ | Aug 18, 2000 03:11am | #3

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   My brother used hickory. It looks beautiful and he loves it. We're installing bamboo. It's a grass, but has lots of advantages. Everyone who sees it ooh's and aah's. Probably lots of right answers to your question.

1. 
   Ronna_Vartiak | Aug 18, 2000 04:03am | #4

   *We used a pre-finished 3/4" thick, solid red oak made by Bruce. It was a tongue and groove construction that we nailed down, but can also be glued down. The color we selected was called gunstock. It's a medium color that is extremely warm & rich looking. It reminds us of a traditional colored floor that would be in an old house. We own alot of oak antiques that look very nice with this color.This flooring, if nailed down, should be installed over 3/4" plywood subfloor covered with felt paper. The felt paper is supposed to stop squeeks that would occur between the subfloor and the back of the hardwood. Nail through the tongue into the floor joists. Run the planks up to the walls leaving 1/2" space around the perimeter of the floor to facilitate expansion of the wood during periods of high humidity. Your baseboard and shoe mold should cover up this space.

3. 
   Kathi_Sadler | Aug 18, 2000 09:28pm | #5

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   Hi, I am looking into buying hard wood floor for my home. My question is what is a good brand and color of hard wood to buy? I know I want the real hard wood. What has been your experience with the wood? What is a nice elegant color, also?
   Thank You,
   Kathi

4. 
   Guest_ | Aug 18, 2000 09:28pm | #6

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   Kathi:

   First thing to consider is what type of subfloor you have. OSB, cdx plywood, concrete? There are so many options thesedays. Are you searching for a prefinished product or a site finished? My preferences are Rock Maple, White Oak, Pecan/Hickory, and Santos Mahogany.