Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Bruce Hardwood Floor

Question and Comment-

Question - I have read Bruce Flooring's installation instructions as well as those contained here on doityourself.com. Neither comment on how I should deal with my installation.
I am doing a glue-down install in my kitchen and family room which are connected and completely open to eachother (no wall between them). This is a large space 24' by 16' and the family room now has carpet, kitchen - Linoleum. Naturally, the carpet will be removed and, as my house is built on a slab, I expect to find concrete floor underneath. Assuming I do find concrete - and as I do not plan on removing the Linoleum - I will have a transition to make from Linoleum to concrete. Bruce says installing over good Linoleum is fine.
Do you recommend I remove the Linoleum as I will be running into concrete?
Do you recommend I use a leveling compund between these two?
Would you suggest I drop 3/8" plywood across the whole area?

Thanks for you help in advance.

Comment -
Once I decided on an engineered wood floor and having selected my color and manufacturer (Bruce Southbeach Plank - Oxford) - I purchased my flooring from Fastfloors.com. This was only after InternetFloors.com changed the price of this same product on their site while I was holding on the phone with them. Beware if you deal with Internetfloors.com - I was pleased with the folks at Fastfloors.

Moto:

Can't Fast Floors help you with your questions? This kind of thing has really bugged me over the years. I mean if you're so pleased with them, why can't they spend some time with you on your install questions? Perhaps they have no one knowledgable to help? You could check my site for some tips but don't tell Fast Floors I told you so as I have serious reservations about Tony, the head dude at Fast Floors.

As far as the lino, I'd remove it without reservation. You can rent the equipment to do so at most any rental outlets.

Ken Fisher
www.floridawoodfloors.net

It has been my personal experience that folks in flooring sales want to make a sale. Most tend not to read or know the technical info about the products they sell or know where to refer you to in the event you have specific questions beyond their expertise.

Each manufacturer tends to have its own specific instructions. These must be followed carefully in order not to void product warranties. When it doubt, contact the technical department of the manufacturer.

" Prior to installation of any hardwood-flooring product, the installer must determine that the job-site environment and the sub-surfaces involved meet or exceed all applicable standards and recommendations of the construction and materials industries. These instructions recommend that the construction and subfloor be DRY, STIFF, AND FLAT. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure resulting from or associated with sub-surface or job-site environment deficiencies."

1/4" & 3/8" Engineered Products
For Staple-Down & Glue-Down Installation

INSTALLER/OWNER RESPONSIBILITY

Bruce Hardwood Floors. Retrieved 15 October 2002. http://www.bruce.com/resbrucewoodna/installation_tips_engineered.jsp

Go to the above link for additional installation and warranty info.