09-30-2013, 11:33 PM
Hey Seekir,
Didn't mean to upset you, just a different point of view. I'd say politely, back off a little on the attack mode. I only wanted to share some info as wood and bamboo floors have the potential for failure that can be very costly. Your information is solid and helpful. I am trying to offer more of the same.
Most, not all, floating floors are engineered, not solid. Bamboo, whether horizontal or vertical solids, are laminated strands. Their engineered floors are much more stable in humidity changes.
Not all "wood" floors require the same acclimation techniques. Some require that the cartons remain unopened, others require that they be opened.
Every manufacturer will recommend and provide installation guidelines for their product, and all will tell you their warranty is void unless their exact guidelines are followed. Doesn't mean they will necessarily fail, just that they have the power to blame you if they do.
You are right on the expansion, I believe, but I do tend to prefer and recommend quartersawn flooring as a much higher quality, and they do see gapping and expansion on the ends more than the sides. That said, in rereading my earlier post, it was a misleading statement and didn't apply to the bamboo anyway. The gap around the edges should be the same everywhere though.
Solely personal preference on undercutting the drywall. And, as I think about it, it is precisely because we tear out and replace flooring daily that we see the messy installs and complications that can occur with different scenarios. We always remove the old baseboard and replace it with new. The replacement options can include a thin low profile (basic) moulding with a shoe mold or quarter round to hide the expansion gap, or upgrade to a thicker higher profile molding, which looks great with wood/bamboo/cork floors. To your point, however, it is a viable option for folks. We have undercut drywall on two different occasions and installed a solid hardwood under the drywall with NO baseboards whatsoever. That, my friend, took time and professional perfection. [
] That's me, beaming with pride!
Peace offering...I respect your posts and appreciate that you, like me, are just trying to help others succeed.
Didn't mean to upset you, just a different point of view. I'd say politely, back off a little on the attack mode. I only wanted to share some info as wood and bamboo floors have the potential for failure that can be very costly. Your information is solid and helpful. I am trying to offer more of the same.
Most, not all, floating floors are engineered, not solid. Bamboo, whether horizontal or vertical solids, are laminated strands. Their engineered floors are much more stable in humidity changes.
Not all "wood" floors require the same acclimation techniques. Some require that the cartons remain unopened, others require that they be opened.
Every manufacturer will recommend and provide installation guidelines for their product, and all will tell you their warranty is void unless their exact guidelines are followed. Doesn't mean they will necessarily fail, just that they have the power to blame you if they do.
You are right on the expansion, I believe, but I do tend to prefer and recommend quartersawn flooring as a much higher quality, and they do see gapping and expansion on the ends more than the sides. That said, in rereading my earlier post, it was a misleading statement and didn't apply to the bamboo anyway. The gap around the edges should be the same everywhere though.
Solely personal preference on undercutting the drywall. And, as I think about it, it is precisely because we tear out and replace flooring daily that we see the messy installs and complications that can occur with different scenarios. We always remove the old baseboard and replace it with new. The replacement options can include a thin low profile (basic) moulding with a shoe mold or quarter round to hide the expansion gap, or upgrade to a thicker higher profile molding, which looks great with wood/bamboo/cork floors. To your point, however, it is a viable option for folks. We have undercut drywall on two different occasions and installed a solid hardwood under the drywall with NO baseboards whatsoever. That, my friend, took time and professional perfection. [
] That's me, beaming with pride! Peace offering...I respect your posts and appreciate that you, like me, are just trying to help others succeed.
a m here