Hey,

What are you guys normally charging to install wood floors? Here in Arkansas it seems to be about $2.00 ft for the glue down.

Paul

Thanks Franklyn, Opie, Stullis.....

I appreciate it.

Now some more questions.

Looked at an A grade and B grade. Liked the B grade better due to the knots and color variations. Horizontal -natural. The stuff is 2.50/sq ft. Made by Morningstar. Available at Lumber liqidators.

I've learned with tile (and many other things) that you get what you pay for. That being said this seems pretty cheap for grass (wood) floor.

The shop that I sub much work from is willing to give me pretty much dealer cost on bamboo from Mannninton and that was about $6.70 sf. How can the price differ that much. Is Morningstar junk? The sample was nice.

This is my first house I've ever owned and I will spend innumerable hours looking at my grout joints, tiles, and bamboo floors. It has to be right.

Can any one help me on this issue?

#2

a. Do I use 15 or 30lb felt? Stullis I just saw you suggest 2 layers of 15lb. why not 1 - 30lb because you can stagger the joints? Do you just lay the but the bottom rows of paper against each other or do over lap those also?

b. For my first row, I'll place the groove against the tile/L metal (as per Franklyn's OK). I've decided that it would be better to glue it to the sub floor than to face nail it and putty it. How do you glue when its over paper?

c. What kind of hand drives are needed (for face nailing against the ending wall)

d. What kind of nails for the pneumatic?

Again sorry to bring grass/wood floors to the tile forum but I know I can trust my fellow tile people.

grass flooring sounds pretty wierd too :)

a roofer could say the same about grass roofs! Thatch and sod have both been around since uhhh.... well at least since John was born :)

wood flooring
 

first off dont buy anything from lumber liquidators.gluing down the wood is an option ,it is very messy- bostiks best is the best but sticks to everything.if you glue it down you dont use the paper under it.if you plan on nailing it you have a choice between serrated nails or staples , if the wood will be 3/4 thick use 2" nails or staples- the nails are less prone to break the tongue pressure around 80 lbs(compressor).i am assuming your on plywood subfloor-it should be 3/4 thick by the way.if you would like more help go to floormasters.com go into the shop talk area-these guys are the best in the world-just like johns site here. justin

Justin
Why would you not buy from Lumber Liquidators?

For as hard as Bamboo is don't you notice that it scratches real easy?
Everyone I ever installed did and homes that we go into that have Bamboo it is all scratched up and real quick.

When I have someone who is trying to decide Bamboo vs tile (expecially in the kitchen) I drop the handle end of a butter knife on it and the big dent usually seals the deal on which way they want to go.

bamboo
 

i have seen and installed a few products from L.L. was not impressed.post a message on floormasters.com that your looking for bamboo those guys will tell you whats a good product to use. justin

Something good about Lumberliquidators
 

Lumberliquidators.com has a lot of traffic to their website due to the name is well known for CHEAP and people search for it.

See Lumber Liquidators traffic stats

There is a link to it on my website for that reason only.

Dan is there a Floor Club near you go in there and get your discount. They give installers 1/2 off the sticker its free to sign up. Nwow about LL I have installed ALOT of floors from there so far so good. the only crapy wood is the bella wood. It sucks. I usually get 3.00 a foot to install glue down. No prep No 25 round install. T caps and door issues are extra. Dan I wish I closer id come up and give ya a hand and bang that room out with ya.

Why is bella not a good wood? I was planning to buy Aust. Cypress for my entire downstairs. It is a bella wood. Please give me some good advice.
Thanks, Karen

I honestly don't know how you guys can do those glue down floors. I have a friend that is set on the glue down bamboo and is begging me to do the install. I've done 2 glue down floors ( 1 in my own house) and that will be the last two I do. The glue will get you high as a kite, and it gets everywhere.

What are the tricks ? Do you really start in the middle and work outward?

Jason

Bella wood has alot of bad wood in it. The name bella wood is not the wood its the stain on that wood that LL uses only. Its not my favorite to install from there the 3 floors I did in bella wood was just a PIA. Because of the grove and tongue.

Jason.
Yes you hould start in the middle of the focus room and work from there. I take a 2x6 cedar baord and nail it to the floor and work off of it like a wall. Cedar is about the best wod for being true and straight. I have installed alot of glue down and alot of Lam and nail in.The trick with glue is to workon floor and keep cleaning the few planks as you go. And to have a spare pair of shoes when you have to walk acroos the wood. When I do wood I keep new socks in the truck when I have to walk acorss the wood i wear socks. It took me alot of hours of cleaning up a mess to figure some of the glue tricks out.The only prob with glue down Bambbo is the floor has to be FLAT or you will hear alot fo holow spots. Also glue down Bam uses a 1/4 x 1/4 square notch tile trowel and dude you use some glue. I did a whole house last year I think they used 10 buckets of 5 gal glue at 115 bucks a bucket. wow.Have fun we can help you do wood as well. oh yeah if you are installing over concrete check with a moisture meter on the slab.

I haven't heard anything good about Morningstar Bamboo and would avoid it from reports I have heard.

As far as the rest of the LL products, most do not get good remarks from the pros who work with wood alot. Usually alot of milling issues, banana boards, short lengths, etc. that make the installation a nightmare. To the less trained eye I suppose you might be getting a "deal".

The last one I did we installed this product on a 45. Very satisfied with the quality both the product and from an installation standpoint.

http://www.ifloor.com/productdisplay...N=8+4294967234

tomorrow
 

Cancelled order from Lumber liqiuidators. Picked up almost 600 sf from the ifloor warehouse in Delaware. Westhollow brand. Thanks

Now Its been acclimating since Sun. Tomorrow is the day. Just a few questions.

1. Can I face nail the first and last row with a finish trim gun?

2. 5/8" thick bamboo requires what size nails.

3. What do you think about puttying the the nail holes in the first row?

4. Suggested nail pattern (every 6-8")?