Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Wood over Slab
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newbea
07-02-08, 11:13 PM
I watch this list occasionally since I'm trying to figure out
what wood flooring to put in a 1-story concrete slab based
house in Az. I've been leaning toward the click-loc genre
floating primarily because it seems clean and easy to install.
Ok: relatively. Recently I came across Owens plankloc system which appears to use a method I hadn't seen before. So some
questions for you all with much greater experience:
1. Anyone have any experience with the Owens plankloc?
2. Experience with Kahrs?
3. Experience with Tegren bamboo?
4. Am I being overly skiddish in avoiding edge glued or glue
down alternatives?
Sorry: this looks like it should have been 2-3 threads.
Much thx in advance for any help/suggestions you can give.
Great forum!
what wood flooring to put in a 1-story concrete slab based
house in Az. I've been leaning toward the click-loc genre
floating primarily because it seems clean and easy to install.
Ok: relatively. Recently I came across Owens plankloc system which appears to use a method I hadn't seen before. So some
questions for you all with much greater experience:
1. Anyone have any experience with the Owens plankloc?
2. Experience with Kahrs?
3. Experience with Tegren bamboo?
4. Am I being overly skiddish in avoiding edge glued or glue
down alternatives?
Sorry: this looks like it should have been 2-3 threads.
Much thx in advance for any help/suggestions you can give.
Great forum!
OneBowl
07-03-08, 06:17 AM
To my knowledge, Owens Plankloc is an underlayment system, so you would still be faced with the flooring installation method question of click v. glue, depending on product, even if using that.
There are many things to take into consideration when installing over a slab, so make sure to do a bit of research on that. Engineered flooring can be a good choice, with floating click, floating T&G glue or glue down as the most often seen installation methods. Possible installation methods are always dictated by your choice of product.
I can personally vouch for the quality of Owens Plankfloor engineered. Excellent milling and outstanding quality of the wear layer, regardless of species. Owens does not offer a click install to my knowledge. T&G glue floating installation is not particularly hard, but as will all, requires patience and can test your DIY skills the first time around.
With the scores and scores of flooring producers today, I think you'll find Kahrs click products to generally be listed among the top 3-5 by most. Their price points reflect that.
Getting back to the click v. glue, while they are different animals, glue shouldn't necessarily scare you off. Click installs are not always a walk in the park. Many installers here would quote you the same labor cost to install either way. Each install method has its own advantages/disadvantages. Glue down will feel/sound more solid that click or glue floating. Click, in theory, can be taken apart if needed, even taken with you when you move if you want. On the difficulty and mess scale, edge glue comes in the middle for me and I get good results that I personally prefer to click. With patience and the right frame of mind, you really can do any method quite well. Click is generally seen as the easiet for first timers though. Good luck.
There are many things to take into consideration when installing over a slab, so make sure to do a bit of research on that. Engineered flooring can be a good choice, with floating click, floating T&G glue or glue down as the most often seen installation methods. Possible installation methods are always dictated by your choice of product.
I can personally vouch for the quality of Owens Plankfloor engineered. Excellent milling and outstanding quality of the wear layer, regardless of species. Owens does not offer a click install to my knowledge. T&G glue floating installation is not particularly hard, but as will all, requires patience and can test your DIY skills the first time around.
With the scores and scores of flooring producers today, I think you'll find Kahrs click products to generally be listed among the top 3-5 by most. Their price points reflect that.
Getting back to the click v. glue, while they are different animals, glue shouldn't necessarily scare you off. Click installs are not always a walk in the park. Many installers here would quote you the same labor cost to install either way. Each install method has its own advantages/disadvantages. Glue down will feel/sound more solid that click or glue floating. Click, in theory, can be taken apart if needed, even taken with you when you move if you want. On the difficulty and mess scale, edge glue comes in the middle for me and I get good results that I personally prefer to click. With patience and the right frame of mind, you really can do any method quite well. Click is generally seen as the easiet for first timers though. Good luck.
newbea
07-03-08, 08:58 PM
Thanks for the response. In looking at Owen's install pdf
for the Plankloc it appears that it is an underlayment with
adhesive. So you fit the boards for a row or so, putting on
blue tape, and then pull the backing covering the adhesive
surface on the underlay back from under the rows and press
them firmly on. No mention of glue, etc. Seemed kind of
?able to me and that's why I was wondering.
I don't want to say price isn't an issue. But since I am
considering Kahrs, I might stretch my budget that high....if
it's worth it. Can any of you out there give me an idea of
what brands I should be considering?
Thanks......Glenn
for the Plankloc it appears that it is an underlayment with
adhesive. So you fit the boards for a row or so, putting on
blue tape, and then pull the backing covering the adhesive
surface on the underlay back from under the rows and press
them firmly on. No mention of glue, etc. Seemed kind of
?able to me and that's why I was wondering.
I don't want to say price isn't an issue. But since I am
considering Kahrs, I might stretch my budget that high....if
it's worth it. Can any of you out there give me an idea of
what brands I should be considering?
Thanks......Glenn
OneBowl
07-07-08, 09:28 AM
Glenn,
Remember that your product choice will dictate your installation options, or your installation choice will limit your product options. Just research official manufacturers' installation instructions for any product you consider.
As far as brands go:
Owens products - they have finished and prefinished, but no click options, to my knowledge
Kahrs - have products for the whole range of installation options
Mirage - seems to be the pedigree, again, no click option I know of yet
Internetlumber.com - nice products, including exotics, again, no click I know of
Mannington - no experience, but I've heard good reports, they do have a click line
BR-111 - seems to get mixed reviews, but I've seen good resuts with the thicker engineered products
Anything milled in Canada
Check out hoskinghardwood.com for some good info.
My #1 recommendation would be to get samples, even if it costs a few bucks. Quality differences are readily apparent and it's the best way to make the price/quality trade off easier.
Good luck.
Remember that your product choice will dictate your installation options, or your installation choice will limit your product options. Just research official manufacturers' installation instructions for any product you consider.
As far as brands go:
Owens products - they have finished and prefinished, but no click options, to my knowledge
Kahrs - have products for the whole range of installation options
Mirage - seems to be the pedigree, again, no click option I know of yet
Internetlumber.com - nice products, including exotics, again, no click I know of
Mannington - no experience, but I've heard good reports, they do have a click line
BR-111 - seems to get mixed reviews, but I've seen good resuts with the thicker engineered products
Anything milled in Canada
Check out hoskinghardwood.com for some good info.
My #1 recommendation would be to get samples, even if it costs a few bucks. Quality differences are readily apparent and it's the best way to make the price/quality trade off easier.
Good luck.