Kirk (KC) Constable
02-10-2005, 6:40 PM
Last Sunday LOML got up and declared she wouldn't sleep another night in the bedroom with carpet in it. :( It was filthy and smelled like dog. She didn't want carpet in there to begin with, but it was quick and easy, and at the time I was tired of house building and just wanted to move in...so I managed to put it off for a bit over seven years...but now she has a wood floor. :rolleyes:
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/floor1.jpg
We (she) decided we'd use Vanguard QuikLoc (Tarkett), Oak Wheat color. I've always been against laminated floor products, because it just seems wrong to me...but she was writing the check, and frankly, the directions made it sound idiot proof...a major consideration for me. I installed it over the OSB deck, with the 1/8" thick green foamy cushiony stuff underneath. Looks like maybe a bit over 1/8" of oak laminated to the plywood, and claims 'up to three refinishings'. Hmmm. This product is 'preglued', which activates when you bang it together. The fit is very, very good. Instructions say you have about 15 minutes before the glue sets up...but I was able to move things around several hours later.
I was pleasantly surpised at the quality of the product. Out of thirteen boxes, I found two pieces that I thought were 'bad' enough that I couldn't use them whole (edges dinged up a bit). Manufacturer had crayon-marked two other pieces for slight damage, but I didn't find those bad enough to not use whole. Due to the cutting that's involved anyway, I'll call the matertial 100% useable. Here's a picture of the worst 'ding' of the whole job. Not sure if it came this way or I did it, but the bed will cover it up anyway. There were several pieces with what looked like a mark from a nail set, but the touch up putty handles them nicely.
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/flaw1.jpg
Of all the pieces, only one was out of square enough to be an issue. Again, this one is under the bed, so I didn't worry about it. The rest of the joints are quite nice.
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/flaw2.jpg
Here's the 'finished' floor, waiting for new paint and baseboard (and built-in thingy we talked about the other day).
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/floor2.jpg
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/floor3.jpg
For anybody else that might be 'scared' of wood flooring, and laminates in particular, I'd highly recommend this stuff. And get some kneepads.
KC
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/floor1.jpg
We (she) decided we'd use Vanguard QuikLoc (Tarkett), Oak Wheat color. I've always been against laminated floor products, because it just seems wrong to me...but she was writing the check, and frankly, the directions made it sound idiot proof...a major consideration for me. I installed it over the OSB deck, with the 1/8" thick green foamy cushiony stuff underneath. Looks like maybe a bit over 1/8" of oak laminated to the plywood, and claims 'up to three refinishings'. Hmmm. This product is 'preglued', which activates when you bang it together. The fit is very, very good. Instructions say you have about 15 minutes before the glue sets up...but I was able to move things around several hours later.
I was pleasantly surpised at the quality of the product. Out of thirteen boxes, I found two pieces that I thought were 'bad' enough that I couldn't use them whole (edges dinged up a bit). Manufacturer had crayon-marked two other pieces for slight damage, but I didn't find those bad enough to not use whole. Due to the cutting that's involved anyway, I'll call the matertial 100% useable. Here's a picture of the worst 'ding' of the whole job. Not sure if it came this way or I did it, but the bed will cover it up anyway. There were several pieces with what looked like a mark from a nail set, but the touch up putty handles them nicely.
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/flaw1.jpg
Of all the pieces, only one was out of square enough to be an issue. Again, this one is under the bed, so I didn't worry about it. The rest of the joints are quite nice.
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/flaw2.jpg
Here's the 'finished' floor, waiting for new paint and baseboard (and built-in thingy we talked about the other day).
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/floor2.jpg
http://www.kcwoodworks.net/floor3.jpg
For anybody else that might be 'scared' of wood flooring, and laminates in particular, I'd highly recommend this stuff. And get some kneepads.
KC