Home remodel ? (Flooring and decking)

[JB @ C and L Machine]

First the flooring... I want to install a wood floor but we have a slab foundation. My neighbor says I have 2 options, a glue down type and a floating type. . he installed a glue down in my other neighbors and advised me not to use that system. your thoughts.



Now the deck... has anyone used the trex or the Choicedek? Is it worth the extra money for a non-wood product? I was leaning towards the Choicedek since you can buy all the acccesories in the same material. The only draw back is that it only comes in one color while the trex has 5-6. JB

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by John B. Cohen

First the flooring... he installed a glue down in my other neighbors and advised me not to use that system. your thoughts.



Is it worth the extra money for a non-wood product?

1. Floating system is FAR superior to glue-down.

2. Either is superior to wood- no splinters or warpage & will last much longer.

 

[paccool]

Watch the joist spacing on the trex or other "non-wood" deck. The fake wood is springy and you will need to close up the spacing some. A friend of mine is replacing his rotted wood deck with trex and the joists are at 24" on the existing. He is adding another joist in between for 12" spacing. His is on a diagonal, if straight 16" will probably be ok.



Stan

 

[CWebster]

Pergo

I just did a whole house in Pergo wood floor laminate and bath tile. The floating snap together pergo is very slick and looks very good. I am very pleased with the results. Don't go anywhere near the glue-type. Extremely more labor intensive with the same finished product. Laminates these days are so well engineered they look great and last a long time with little maintenance. I think the warranty is 20 years (?). I would recommend this to anybody wanting a cheaper alternative to real wood floor. HTH



Chris WebsterOo.

 

[JPope]

Moisture/S.O.G.

Agree with the previous replys on floating. Any moisture issues that need to be addressed, involves more than obvious water? Most of the manufacturers have limitations, but this is something you want to know prior to selecting or installing, much easier to address moisture with slab exposed than later.



Decks, non-wood, do you mean that you want to miss the fun of annual or more often, reapplying a finish????? Factor your time and money on a repeating basis into the equation, and the non-wood wins!!!!

 

[CWebster]

Good point Jpope, if you use Pergo on a slab, there is a different method of putting down the substrate. They also have a test you do that finds out if you have too much moisture "wicking" thru the slab. I believe the other manufacturers approach's are similar.



Chris Webster

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: Pergo

Originally posted by CWebster

I just did a whole house in Pergo wood floor laminate and bath tile. The floating snap together pergo is very slick and looks very good. I am very pleased with the results. Don't go anywhere near the glue-type. Extremely more labor intensive with the same finished product. Laminates these days are so well engineered they look great and last a long time with little maintenance. I think the warranty is 20 years (?). I would recommend this to anybody wanting a cheaper alternative to real wood floor. HTH



Chris WebsterOo.

You bet! When my wife and I bought our rancher in 98', we ripped up the stinky rugs and cheap linoleum in the kitchen. I put Pergo in the kitchen, dining room, living room and hallway. Over 3000 square feet, all glued. My first shot with it and it came out nice. Even with knee pads, I was sore for a month having done it in less than three days (long days). It holds up real well with minimal (shamelessly minimal) cleaning and two big dogs beating on it.



I just read something about a membrane for floating floors on slabs to limit potential moisture problems. Have to look for that article.

 

[JPope]

Moisture in S.O.G.

The simplest test for determining if you have a potential moisture problem, is to tape a 12"/24" square piece of clear plastic to the slab for 24 hours, good duct tape completely around the edge of the plastic works, though I have heard of using a rubber mat layed on the concrete,also, though you will have to lift the mat to see beneath, as the moisture will be on the mat surface. You will see if there is any moisture condensing on the plastic, and then know if you have to deal with this. If you want to get more specific, moisture meters are available, but the plastic will tell you if you have a problem.



Some products to consider for dealing with moisture:

Creteseal - 714-429-9890

Enhance 1 - 888-720-2011

Five-Star Products - 203-336-7900

NordicPrimer Sealer - 800-739-7325

Vaporseal - 800-227-0070

Koester VAP 1 System- 757-425-1206



These may require a liscensed installer and some offer a insured result/warranty ( may only be available for commercial type projects, don't deal with residential), but the products systems are out there. Again much easier/cheaper to deal with moisture before installing.

 

[illflem]

Just a note. I was going to do a kitchen with Pergo and found that Formica makes a totally equivalent product except that it's available in a lot more styles. Price is about the same.

 

[Floor It]

Wilsonart and Pergo are the Mfg's of lamanate flooring. It would be wise to do a moisture test. You also need to make sure the floor is flat enough too. I have seen some concrete floors so bad that it could not be installed over it. Most companys have you put plastic down before you put the pad down, which there are many options here, some are thicker to give it a less of a hollow sound. I am certefied at both companys so if I can be of more help just PM me.



John

 

[dseabaugh]

now someone is asking ?'s where I make a living. We have replaced several composit decks. Go with vinyl. Of all the vinyl decks on the market the 6" width by Westech is by far the best on the market. Next would be their 12" deck and then the deck floor made by Homeland.



As to floor, definately the laminate floating floor on a properly SEALED slab. then your lady should be happy and you'll have no headaches.