A builder is installing laminated flooring in high-end homes. The flooring is high quality plywood with a 1/4″ solid glued as the face. The solids are pretty clear and about 4″-5″ wide. These laminates are tongue and groove. My question is:
Will these laminates tear theselves apart due to the ply not expanding and the solid expanding?
Gary
Replies
Gary,
I'm sorry that you haven't gotten an answer already, but I'll tackle your question. I have my suspicions about how they are doing this, but I'm getting in touch with a company that actually makes the flooring to get their explanation, I'll probably have an answer in a few days.
John White
Actually the product is more then likely and engineered product. I make floor inlays for a living and make them the same way and have never had a problem. If anything the wood is more stable. The glues used are FAR more stable and stronger than the wood itself. But in a high end home 3/4" flooring is the way to go(in my humble opinion). No one knows how long the engineered product will last because it has not been around 100 years. I have seen 3/4" solid flooring 150 years old that after a sanding looks awesome.
In a high end home why take the chance? Simple, convenience for the installer and faster for the builder. And the floor will last longer than the warranty period for sure. It goes in quicker and is usually pre-finished. Cost is probably not a factor as I have seen the engineered product that costs the same or even more than solid flooring. Engineered flooring does have its place. Over concrete and in a basement it is a super product.
The finish on a pre-finished floor is also better than an "on site" finish, well at least more durable. On site you just can not get that pre-finished quality. But it has its drawbacks too. I have sanded many of the products and find that the finish usually has some color in it even if it says it is clear. This hides many defects that after a sanding can not be hidden with a new clear finish. I just did a Teak floor that was gorgeous color, but in need of a sanding. After sanding the flooring wood looked green! And after a clear was applied looked totally different then the original floor. It took a lot of fiddling with color and still the floor never looked the same.
Just my two cents, these statements are based MY real world experience.
Nick
Majestic Medallions
Edited 5/3/2007 3:50 pm ET by nicka65
Edited 5/3/2007 3:51 pm ET by nicka65
Edited 5/3/2007 3:52 pm ET by nicka65
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