Question on wood floors
 

I am going to replace the carpet in the living room and dining room and also replace the laminate flooring in the halls, kitchen and breakfast area with wood floors. I am having a hard time deciding whether to go with the wood floors that they put in already stained, etc or the ones where they put the wood down, sand it and then put 2-3 coats of something on them. If I go with the later I have to be out of the house for 4 days with the dogs. That will be a major problem. If anyone has any thoughts or experience with this I would so appreciate your opinions. Ken would have known which way to go but I can't seem to decide. Thanks

Patti, I would reccomend the unstained wood that they come in and finish. We installed beautiful oak floors in one of our homes a couple of years ago and I don't think the finish held up very well...not from the dogs...just from general wear and it is only me and my husband. I noticed several places where the clear wore off and we had to refinish those areas ourselves.

I know it's a pain to be 'put out' for a few days but we've had floors done both ways and I do believe starting from unfinished wood is the way to go.

I agree.. also the prefinished flooring is not truly sealed... liquid will get thru the joins, where the unfinished, once finished is definitely sealed all around.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the information. I'm not use to making such big decisions without Ken but I am leaning towards the unfinished too.

No problem Patti...I'm glad to help.

Here's something else to consider...I don't know when you are planning to do this but winter is coming and, if you have gas heat or a pilot light on a water heater or gas stove etc...you may not be able to have the floors finished with the house closed up.

Just something to check on before you get started...

Yup unfinished and do it in warmer weather or now :).. Camp in the yard. You should still be able to go into the house??? Just when they finish depending on what type stay off it for the recommended time. Stay out of the house for the 4 days of construction?/ But you can still sneak in when they leave. Won't hurt just keep the dogs out

Thanks. The problem is the whole front of the house will be getting new flooring, kitchen, hall living room and dining room. So I will have no access to the bedrooms. I may try climbing in the window with the dogs to sleep until they do the staining and coating. That will be interesting lol. I am hoping to get it done towards the end of September. My dd is having knee surgery around mid september and will need to stay with me a few days. I am waiting for them to get back to me with a start date. Our weather is usually ok into October. It will be very interesting to stay with my dd in her apt with the 3 dogs. They have never been anywhere but here. A new adventure!

Patti, what's under the carpet and laminate? Do you have wood floors that can be refinished or is it subfloor material?

My personal preference is unfinished wood flooring.

I just don't like the look of the pre-finished flooring I've seen installed, as it doesn't seem to lay as flat, as the edges have somewhat of a slight bevel.

As for one being more durable or sealed better than the other, that all comes down to quality of installation & the type of sealer used on the unfinished wood. It's my understanding based on the sales literature provided with prefinished floors, that the sealer on the prefinished floor is very durable. Comparing the marks left on my flooring vs. my friends that have prefinished flooring, I tend to agree, although you can choose to finish your floor in commerical grade sealers such as those used on roller skating rink floors if you want to invest a little more money.

As to liquids seaping between seams of both types of flooring, again that comes down to quality of installation, & sealer used...AND the ability to maintain a constant moisture level in your home. Wood will expand & contract, and even with the best sealers you will likely develop splits at the seams with temperature & moisture changes in your home throughout the seasons. If you experience a very cold dry winter as we do here in Michigan, I'd highly recommend a furnace humidifer. I had one installed in my last new built home and after ten years my wood floors looked as good and my seams were as tight as when they were layed. My neighbors that didn't have a humidifer didn't fare so well.

When I bought a wee house the other year with ugly tile in the kitchen & dining area, I decided to crack it up & continue oak flooring throughout. This was one of my first DIY projects in the wee house.

It is subflooring under the carpet.
You did a great job. I do have a furnace humidifier. I will try and keep it pretty even temperature and moisture wise.
Thanks

Oh...I was hoping you had older wood floors that you could have sanded and refinished.

You probably know that the wood needs to be delivered and "live" in your house awhile before install. I have prefinished Teregran bamboo floors and even they had to be acclimatized. Good luck and don't forget to post before and after pics!

Thanks yes the installer said the wood would have to sit inside the house for awhile. I just want it over and done but I have to wait until after my DD surgery. In fact she is staying with me tonight as she was not feeling well when she came for dinner.

Very impressive work! I am pretty handy, but I don't think I would have the courage to attempt installing a wood floor.

Patti, looking forward to your pictures of your new floors. I agree with everyone else that you can't beat the real thing -- installed and then finished. If it were up to me, I would have wood floors throughout the house.

You'd be surprised. If you have basic "construction" skills. Like use power tools ect..If you research and start small you can save ~ 50% the cost. And alot of the installer do it wrong anyways. Plumbing ,Electrical depending on your area and how big the project you will need a license. But wood ,tile ect easy