Hardwood Installation Recommendations?

[amorak]

Hey guys,

looking to get some hardwood installed in my condo (laminate actually, I guess, as I have heated/cooled concrete slab flooring).


Any recommendations for a good quality, good price installer/company? Any recommendations for types of hardwood/laminate I should be looking into?


Thanks!

[Ducay]

You should get the guy who used to own my house.....that is if you want your basement floor to be like a trampoline.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Ducay

You should get the guy who used to own my house.....that is if you want your basement floor to be like a trampoline.

I am very interested, however, in your indoor swimming pool where said trampoline used to be.

[Ducay]

The key to laminate is the underlay. Cheap on it, and your floor will feel cheap regardless on what you slap on top.

[amorak]

Indeed, I saw that in some basement-carpet thread also here on CP. Underlay is king!

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by amorak

Indeed, I saw that in some basement-carpet thread also here on CP. Underlay is king!

Don't cheap on the overlay either.

[amorak]

If there's one thing I'm not, it's a cheap lay.


Also, please let someone who actually knows something about hardwood into my thread.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by amorak

If there's one thing I'm not, it's a cheap lay.


Also, please let someone who actually knows something about hardwood into my thread.

I thought you wanted laminate?

Seriously misleading thread title BTW

[Bigtime]

Buy it and install it yourself. Paying someone for laminate installation is weak, the stuff on the market now just goes together nice and simple.

Make sure you check your condo bylaws in regards to underlay, they may require a certain STC or IIC rating for it.

You could also go for engineered flooring, as it is certified for use over radiant heat floors.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Buy it and install it yourself. Paying someone for laminate installation is weak, the stuff on the market now just goes together nice and simple.

Make sure you check your condo bylaws in regards to underlay, they may require a certain STC or IIC rating for it.

You could also go for engineered flooring, as it is certified for use over radiant heat floors.

Awesome - that's some A+ advice right there, thanks!

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by amorak

Awesome - that's some A+ advice right there, thanks!

Oh dear lord don't try to install it yourself.

Theres nothing worse than a shoddy laminate flooring to ruin resale value. Sure, do it yourself in a basement, but not in your entire condo.

Don't scrimp on the underlay and get a pro to do it.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Oh dear lord don't try to install it yourself.

Theres nothing worse than a shoddy laminate flooring to ruin resale value. Sure, do it yourself in a basement, but not in your entire condo.

Don't scrimp on the underlay and get a pro to do it.

I meant the engineered wood and the STC IIC rating stuff.

[Bigtime]

Why not install it yourself? If you are half competent, read the instructions and take your time it really isn't that hard. The key part is ensuring you subfloor is level enough for the flooring manufacturers specs. If it is out you'll get that nice trampoline effect and the floor could eventually start popping out of its locking system.

Although more money I would go with an engineered floor, since it is a real wood product. Definitely better than laminate come resale time.

[skins]

Eff laminate. Cork floors are amazing. Do that.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Why not install it yourself? If you are half competent, read the instructions and take your time it really isn't that hard. The key part is ensuring you subfloor is level enough for the flooring manufacturers specs. If it is out you'll get that nice trampoline effect and the floor could eventually start popping out of its locking system.

Sorry, I should have tailored my reply a bit better. My suggestion to "not do it yourself" was really aimed at the OP himself. The guy has the patience of a Jack Russel on red bull

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by skins

Eff laminate. Cork floors are amazing. Do that.

This too, cork is great. Soft on the feet, interesting patterns and colours available and they come in panels with the glueless click system for installation. Most cork flooring should also have cork on the backside of the board, so you don't need to put down an underlay first.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Sorry, I should have tailored my reply a bit better. My suggestion to "not do it yourself" was really aimed at the OP himself. The guy has the patience of a Jack Russel.

Says the guy who wired his xbox into a lamp socket.

I believe the family has concluded you are now more ADD than me.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Sorry, I should have tailored my reply a bit better. My suggestion to "not do it yourself" was really aimed at the OP himself. The guy has the patience of a Jack Russel on red bull

Well then, that makes sense! I guess my suggestion of just drink a bunch of beer and do it will only make matters worse?

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

This too, cork is great. Soft on the feet, interesting patterns and colours available and they come in panels with the glueless click system for installation. Most cork flooring should also have cork on the backside of the board, so you don't need to put down an underlay first.

My mind is blown - cork flooring?!

Thanks for the suggestions Bigtime and skins, I will look into cork as well!

[Ducay]

All joking aside, I'd listen to Bigtime and go with an engineered flooring. Feeling is much closer to hardwood and as mentioned, would probably bump up resale value.