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engineered hardwood flooring

TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
edited March 2014 in General Discussion
I'm considering having engineered hardwood flooring installed as part of a remodel but I'm unfamiliar with it's details.

Other than appearance, any wisdom, tips, advice, things to look for/avoid, etc. based on experience?
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Comments

  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sound cool "engineered hardwood flooring"

    We use Pergo or Amtico faux wood flooring a lot in commercial buildings.

    Looks like wood but practically indestructible.

    Best floor I've ever seen though was Acrylic poured floors, stinks to high Heaven installing but literally indestructible and coved up the wall as high as you like.
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They also do vinyl flooring somewhat like the wood or laminate. It floats on a cork backing and is pretty tough. Can also be mopped. It comes in wood and stone look, and goes down as individual planks with mitered jointlines.
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  • CaptFunCaptFun Member Posts: 16,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Unless you have to use it because you are putting it on slab or below grade, run.... Because of the way its made it can only be scuff sanded and only then once. I put some in at my old house, glued down on slab. There were always a couple of hollow spots that drove me crazy until we sold it.
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    I am not a fan of it's looks or feel.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,277 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do a bunch of flooring work and I'd recommend against it. It has a pretty thin wear layer that can't really be sanded and refinished. Trying to repair a small scratch in it can be pretty tough too. Go with a real 3/4" sand and finish hardwood.
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  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    it has a hollow sound when you walk on it.

    If you have a window, it will bleach the color.
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  • CaptFunCaptFun Member Posts: 16,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    I am not a fan of it's looks or feel.


    The stuff I bought looked just like solid and was the same dimensions, the only drawback was it was essentially plywood and only had 1/16" of wear/sand on the top. At this house I put in solid white oak in the study replacing the carpet. I bought it from the same company I bought the engineered, it matches what was already here to a T. The factory finish on it is standing up much better than what is on the rest of the floors.
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  • slumlord44slumlord44 Member Posts: 3,702 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A lot depends on the quality product you use. Have had Pergo in my kitchen and breakfast nook for several years and it is holding up fine. I use the cheap stuff in my rentals because they will damage it no matter what. Have to replace some pieces occasionally but I buy a lot of extra when I do it and no big deal to replace sections. Patching or repairing the finish is not an option as far as I know.
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  • rhythm_guyrhythm_guy Member Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We bought a house last fall that had cheap laminate that was damaged from a water heater leak. We put in hand-scraped engineered hardwood and absolutely love it. My wife is very picky, and this was the only thing that would work for her, given problems with laminate & solid wood in Louisiana humidity, pool, etc. Regal brand with 50-year warranty. No problems with hollow spots if installed properly. Our place has an addition that made an uneven place in the living room so we had to raise the back door almost an inch and pour leveling compound. Slab is now level & floor is great, not to mention looks fantastic. Wife chose a dark hickory,5" wide & various lengths up to 7'. We are very pleased. Hate that we're going to have to sell it now, but that's another story.
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  • e3mrke3mrk Member Posts: 1,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Wife talked Me into using that junk when We remodeled the House and I sure am sorry I listened to Her,It needs to be refinished but it is so thin that I have to tear it up and replace it.This time I will do it right,It may cost more but it will be worth it.
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  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Be better off just laying some 1/4" ply wood down and stain it.
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  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,692 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Come on, get some real Georgia heart pine:

    http://www.authenticpinefloors.com/
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  • woodshed87woodshed87 Member Posts: 23,478 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bamboo Way to Go ..............
    Woody
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  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    laminate is fine and great stuff depending on the application. There is two thing with it, one do not buy the cheap stuff just dont, brands like pergo and there is one other that is good. do not buy the 68 cents per sq ft stuff. Number two you have to make sure you install it right, its not hard, but make sure your level, use a backer and that you leave gaps around the edges to allow for exspansion and and contraction. Its an extra step but I would glue all the seams as well.
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,277 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
    Come on, get some real Georgia heart pine:

    http://www.authenticpinefloors.com/


    I put about 3000 sq. ft. of that in a house a couple years ago. It had been reclaimed out of a cottonseed mill in Louisiana and was absolutely a pain in the * to work with. I had to change out my sanding belts after just a couple passes because it was so pitchy. There were some boards that were literally leaking cottonseed oil and they all had to be nailed and screwed/plugged because they wanted to cup. That said, when it was all said and done it was one of the most beautiful floors I've ever installed. Absolutely gorgeous!
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  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
    Come on, get some real Georgia heart pine:

    http://www.authenticpinefloors.com/


    Looks nice, But pine for flooring, ehhh
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,277 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nards444
    quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
    Come on, get some real Georgia heart pine:

    http://www.authenticpinefloors.com/


    Looks nice, But pine for flooring, ehhh


    Heart Pine runs 1225 on the Janka hardness scale. That's only 5% softer than Red Oak.
    http://www.authenticpinefloors.com/Strength-and-Durability.aspx
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd only use that fake stuff if it was a house I was trying to flip. If I planned to live there? Real wood, thank you.

    We did a whole-house remodel over almost two years. We did the kitchen, halls, entryway, and a 3-foot border around the living/dining area in genuine walnut. The universal comment for first-time visitors is "Holy...!"

    That may be beyond the wallet of some, but it was worth every dime.

    Edit to add photo of entryway.

    6175133_orig_zps5068493b.jpg
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • lew07lew07 Member Posts: 1,053 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now that is beautiful[^]
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