Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

[rickdb1boat]

I want to put Hardwood flooring (Bellawood) in my Kitchen. I am going to rip up the linoleum to get to the subfloor (Plywood over 1" X 8" planking). My question is, why the difference in thicknesses of the wood, other than possibly being able to sand one down more than the other if needed? They have the style I want in 3/8" thick and 3/4" thick. Both are nail down. Both are 3" wide. Any good reason to go with the thicker, more expensive wood? Subfloor is solid and stable. 2 X 10" joists on 16" centers with 1 X 8" planking and 5/8" plywood on top of that..Any ideas?? Thanks,

 

[flashback]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

Rick, I'm not familiar with bella wood, but in most cases you would need to use the 3/8 thickness in your kitchen. the 3/4 makes it very difficult if not impossible to remove your dishwasher plus the transistion to the doorways and other rooms usually work better with the thinner wood.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

Thanks Flashback

That's what I was thinking too. It would make for a large transition from the dining room (Carpet) to the kitchen. I am gutting the Kitchen and going new, so the hardwood would go under the new cabinets and such. (Bellawood is just a brand of hardwood flooring). Hummmm....

 

[tommays]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

You really dont want a wood floor in your kitchen my parents tryed it and every minor spill was a BIG problem .

Porcelain Tiles just hold up to kitchen use so much better

Even the bruce floor with the 7 coat factory finish does not like water



Tommays

 

[Chief101]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

I see a lot of hardwood floors in kitchens these days, and with the modern finishes we have, there should not be a problem with water. I like to use the 3/4" floor but in remodels sometimes the thinner flooring mates with the adjoining rooms better. Make sure you use a seal coat and at least 2 finish coats. Good luck. Chief

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

If you have a true hardwood flooring (Bellawood) in your Kitchen it doesn't matter. $ for $ Bellawood is the best flooring you can buy. It looks dang good too. I say 3/4 in. but I happen to come from a family that likes that kinda thing.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

The original plan was to go with ceramic flooring. But then we saw some kitchens with the wood flooring and really liked it. It's just the Wife and I now, so no kids running around and all we have is one older Greyhound dog who always "Tiptoes" through the kitchen. My main concern is if the 3/8" flooring will hold up as well as the thicker stuff. I really hate to have the Kitchen floor above the dining room level. I know they have the transition strips for that purpose, but I had hoped for a flat or almost flat situation. I appreciate the advice and input...

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

The 3/8 would work fine IF you don't live in my house.

 

[mscher]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

The original plan was to go with ceramic flooring. But then we saw some kitchens with the wood flooring and really liked it. It's just the Wife and I now, so no kids running around and all we have is one older Greyhound dog who always "Tiptoes" through the kitchen. My main concern is if the 3/8" flooring will hold up as well as the thicker stuff. I really hate to have the Kitchen floor above the dining room level. I know they have the transition strips for that purpose, but I had hoped for a flat or almost flat situation. I appreciate the advice and input...

We have just installed 3/4" prefinished oak in our old farm house living room. It is nice that is is thicker, since the floor was highly uneven (putting it mildly) before massive some subfloor leveling, which was not perfect, so the thicker wood helped support in the dips.

It replaced 3/8" oak that was probably 80 years old, that was in nearly good enough shape, that we were considering refinishing it.

3/4" could be overkill IMO, if the subfloor is in good shape.

Our kitchen has some cheaper real hardwood veneer on plywood base, which is 3/8". It has taken a severe pounding (dogs and boys), which still manages to look good and stay together, even with animal scratches and muddy feet.

I would think that a quality, well cared-for 3/8" hardwood floor will be around and still looking good, long after you are not.d

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

Since you can't wet a wood floor, you have to use a special chemical to clean it. My aunt just built a super nice house with wood floors, and once a month she's on her hands and knees cleaning it with said chemical.

My parents just ordered some wood laminate, looks like wood but without all the hassles and scratch resistance to the max!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

If you ever intend to refinish it, you want 3/4". 3/4" has about 1/4" salvage before you get into the nails and tongue. That works out to 3 or 4 sandings depending. I imagine you can get 1 sanding out of 3/8". (EDIT: missed that up there. Forget that bit.)

Up here there's plenty of floors that cannot stand another sanding and have to be torn out & replaced. Takes a long time though - most are close to 100 years old. Lots of kitchens with hardwood floors and no problem too - perhaps because they're 3/4". Mop and soapy water clean them fine, though obviously you can't flood them.

How much do you value your labor?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

How much do you value your labor?

Hi Paul,

So you're saying that I will be tearing them out before long if I use the thinner material. If that's the case, them I will use the 3/4" for sure. I'll work something out on the transition....

 

[andy6374]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

It is nice that is is thicker, since the floor was highly uneven (putting it mildly) before massive some subfloor leveling, which was not perfect, so the thicker wood helped support in the dips.

Did you ever figure out why the subfloor was so warped. Sometimes in older house this is a tell-tale sign that floor joists and the structural integrity need to be looked at.

Also, if one is considering using 3/4" wood or anything else that is heavier than the existing...it is a good idea to figure out if the existing subfloor/floor joist setup can support the increased load.

BTW: Bella is Sweet! 8)

 

[mscher]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

It is nice that is is thicker, since the floor was highly uneven (putting it mildly) before massive some subfloor leveling, which was not perfect, so the thicker wood helped support in the dips.

Did you ever figure out why the subfloor was so warped. Sometimes in older house this is a tell-tale sign that floor joists and the structural integrity need to be looked at.

Also, if one is considering using 3/4" wood or anything else that is heavier than the existing...it is a good idea to figure out if the existing subfloor/floor joist setup can support the increased load.

BTW: Bella is Sweet! 8)

It is possible, that the builders of this home may have not have even owned a level.:^

This farmhouse originally had a rock foundation that has been repaired/redone with varying degrees of expertise, over many years. Most of the lower level floors are not even close to flat. Unfortunately, the owner who remodeled the house before us, put up new drywall walls and ceilings, that are "square" (using the term lightly). Severly raising the low spots on the floor would push these greatly out of whack.

I am becoming a master "hack" carpenter:devil: I don't even have "plumbing" in the house. I have "pipes", that run so goofy and screwy, they look like a "modern art masterpiece".

Sometimes I miss my square 70's tract house.

 

[mscher]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

How much do you value your labor?

Hi Paul,

So you're saying that I will be tearing them out before long if I use the thinner material. If that's the case, them I will use the 3/4" for sure. I'll work something out on the transition....

Unless you're opening a roller rink in your kitchen, it looks like you could be 125 years old or older, before the floor needs replacing.

Do you know something about human longevity, that you are not sharing with us?d

 

[i386]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

My mother did her kitchen and adjacent dining room in the laminate stuff. It looks really nice and she was able to install it herself. However, she had a slow plumbing leak under the kitchen sink somewhere. It ruined the laminate flooring. She had some left over and will repair with that. It should be ok, but if she had it to do all over again she would have done tile in the kitchen.

When I get around to doing mine it will either be linoleum or ceramic tile. We want to eventually rip up all the carpet and do the laminate stuff in the rest of the house. Real wood is a little too nice for my house I think.

Speaking of floors. We also put down some cheap carpet tiles downstairs in the laundry room. What a stupid idea that was! Lint sticks to it everywhere. When I remodel the downstairs I'm fixing that too.

 

[90skichallenger]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

Ok dude I am a carpenter and have put in alot of wood floors. Sorry but these days my money is on laminate flooring. WHY you ask.....Because laminate is easier to install, comes in many more designs, have better warranties and is easier to make up small diffs in floor. The one thing that is very important that you have not maentioned is what type of mat you will use between the floor and the new covering. The mat is very important in giving you a nice smooth even look. I believe bella makes a laminate as well Well I hope that helps.
L8R,
Jeff
8)

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

I tried to tell them to go laminate, but they didn't listen!

 

[Chief101]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

I see that laminate flooring is being pushed real hard by the manufacturers but it really is an inferior system. It really doesn't take much moisture to completely destroy such a floor as I have seen it happen many times, In offices and homes. Not wanting to discouragie thems what has laminate flooring but that is my expereince as a remodeler who has had more than his share of problems with this product. Chief :=

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Anyone know about Hardwood flooring??

I have wood flooring through out my home, no problems whatsoever, even with two dogs and all of the dirt that they sometimes bring in especially after it rains.
A little Murphys oil soap for wood flooring, a mop and bucket takes care of that, woodfloors are the best in my book.