Hardwood Floors? Anyone installed them themselves?

[tnitsuj]

I will be putting in hardwood floors in my 1900 sq foot townhouse over the holidays prior to moving all my furniture in. We were looking at bamboo and the Armstrong Bruce flooring. Anyone have any experiences with either, or recommendations on flooring?

 

[mrrman]

I didnt install these types but did install hardwood flooring...its not that hard...just get a good underlie and away you go. The type that we installed was a snap in tongue and groove.

 

[DeadByDawn]

I've installed the 3/8" thickness bruce wood flooring. It was a tongue and groove, also we used the bruce glue on the floor while we installed. It went in real easy, and looks great. If I remember right it was the tavern grade, so we went sort of cheap but still looks very nice. Just make sure you don't have any gaps, and set some heavy stuff on the end when you finish until the glue drys.

 

[Triumph]

start at the middle and work your way to the edges.

i've never done it, but that's what people have told me to do.

 

[misle]

My father installs and finishes hardwood floors for a living (for about 20 years now). I worked with him all thru high school and even now when he needs some help.

I've mainly installed Oak and Maple floors and the occasional pine. They hold up really well (except pine, it's a bit softer). I've never even heard of using Bamboo. Isn't bamboo rather soft? I wouldn't think it would hold up too well.

Bruce flooring and laminated, in general, sucks. It's easier and takes less time but you end up with a crappy floor. We've installed quite a few. Half the time the owner doesn't like it and has us sand it all down and refinish it.

If it was my house, I would avoid Bruce. Bamboo, well I've never used it. Might be good! I would recommend Oak. It's nice and hard, ages well, and is quite pretty.

Good luck and congrats on the new house.

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: Triumph
start at the middle and work your way to the edges.

i've never done it, but that's what people have told me to do.

Yeah, never do that, unless you want your floor to NOT be square. Thinking about it, I don't think there would be a good way to start in the middle (went you staple/nail the boards down, they tend to move, unless there is a hard edge like a wall).

 

[quentrm250]

Helped my brother install the "snap-lock" style flooring in his house. Can't remember the exact brand but the stuff was incredibly easy to install. It snapped together so tight you have to get on your hands and knees to see the seams. It has only been in a year but my brother said his wife has abused it very well and has yet to put a single nick in it. He says he is amazed on how hard the stuff is.
FYI this type of flooring uses know nails or glue and is layed on top of a felt subfloor cover. It is a free-floating floor and your quarter round or baseboard trim is what holds down the edges.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: misle

Originally posted by: Triumph
start at the middle and work your way to the edges.

i've never done it, but that's what people have told me to do.

Yeah, never do that, unless you want your floor to NOT be square. Thinking about it, I don't think there would be a good way to start in the middle (went you staple/nail the boards down, they tend to move, unless there is a hard edge like a wall).

I dunno, that's what my aunt and uncle did when they built their second house. I guess it worked for them.

 

[Ornery]

...bamboo and the Armstrong Bruce flooring...

Calling that a "Hardwood Floor" is like calling Sauder and Bush desks hardwood furniture. I'm going to go with Matt on that, and say you get what you pay for. Real hardwood floors take a lot of work to install and finish, but look a helluva lot better IMO. If you are going with the real thing, it should be stored in the room it's going to be installed in for a few days, so it will become acclimated.

 

[masterxfob]

it's a not that hard, but it does take a bit of time. the only hard part is cutting the wood for corners and around moldings. also, i don't think starting in the middle is a good idea, unless you want some F'ed up floors.

BTW, i used 5/8" oak flooring if it matters.

 

[n0cmonkey]

My dad does all the time. The bamboo looks good.

 

[OffTopic1]

I have installed tongue & groove Maple and Oak, and IMHO maple is nicer than oak.

I was looking at some bamboo this spring/winter, but the price was a bit high in my area. Bamboo seem to hold up to abuse quite well (IMHO, better than wood), because the floor at the local Sears furniture store is 7 years old Bamboo and its still look nice with out a refinish. I?m very surprise that there weren?t much wear at the entrance & walkways.