First of all let me take the time to thank Ken and everyone else that participates in this message board. It is a wealth of knowledge for us newcomers to hardwood florring.

I would like to install 660 sq-ft of hardwood over a terrazzo floor and will probably be staying in my house for 20 years or more. I have narrowed down my choices to BR-111 Engineered Timborana or BR-111 Tringulo Tigerwood. I prefer Timborana but am afraid of the thin wear layer. I don't want to rip up glued down flooring within the next 10 years or so. As a result I might consider floating in lieu of glue down. My questions are as follows:

1. Is it possible to float BR-111 Engineered or Triangulo & totally avoid the hollow sound associated with floated floors? If so please advise recommendations. I want to avoid the hollow sound at all costs.

2. I plan to apply a moisture barrier prior to installation but understand that the BR-111 recommended StrateStuff Substrate Safeguard has been discontinued. What is the recommended moisture barrier for BR-111 engineered products? Are there any other special precautions associated with floating or glue down installations when going over terrazzo?

3. Does anyone know a good installer in the Houston, Texas area? After reading through this web-site I am not satisfied with the answers I get from installation people that I have talked to.

Thank you in advance for the help

Floorguy (Perry) is out of Austin. Don't know if he'll travel to Houston but for the right price, I imagine he may. He is VERY experienced and a regular contributor here and on other boards.
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... ofile&u=15

I'm here.

With fuel prices right now, I'm limiting my service area, or charging a per mile with an hourly for my travels, while keeping my installation rates the same.

Yesterday, my client didn't bat an eye at the $25 fuel sir charge.

If I can be of help, I'll be there.



Answers to your questions...

1.) Maybe not totally eliminate it, but it can be greatly reduced, by floating a cork underlayment and also gluing the planks to the floating cork. This makes the cork and it's sound deadening properties part of the boards, reducing resonates.


2.) Bostik's MVP along with their "BEST" urethane adhesive.
or W.F. Taylor's 2029 lock-down, with their 2071 acrylic high solids Meta-tec adhesive.


3.) Don't personally know anyone in Houston I'd trust, much less anyone right here in Austin, for that matter. Texas has no licensing or accountability to stay within the standards and manufacturers requirements. I'm a failure analyst and a certified installer, and it would look really bad and I'd never hear the end of it if I cut a corner and the job failed. I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror!!!

Really? I've never heard it done. Maybe Perry can elaborate on his experience? Slab would have to be extremely flat or I could imagine a cloppity sound.

Of coarse the substrate must be within the normally required flatness specs for any wood floor installation.


There is a reason behind attached cushion laminates, and it is not to save money and time on installing an under cushion.

It is a known fact, that attached cushion, reduces if not eliminating, resonation of the hollow sound.

You still must glue the T&G along with gluing the wood to the underlayment, if you want a floating installation.