New to the forum...average DIY'er. This summer I want to lay about 1200 sf of engineered hardwood over my concrete subfloor. I am replacing carpet....initially was going to install solid hardwood with wood subfloor, but didn't want to drive all of those nails into my concrete foundation, leaving lots of little channels for moisture, so decided to go with engineered.

From what I've read, the decision to glue or lock is dependent upon the manufacturer of the wood. Is this correct? If this is correct, I would prefer a locking installation, since this will be my first project. I have a few questions...

a) given a proper moisture barrier, any advantage to glueing over locking? second part...does a floating floor really sound as solid as glued down solid hardwood?

b) I am looking for a color along the lines of maple cappucino (handscaped)..with a wear layer between 1/8 to 3/16. Do they make thicker wear layers? I only plan on being in my house another 3 to 5 years, so refinishing only once MAYBE during my ownership.

I do have two small kids and a 60 lb dog, hence the decision for the handscaped.

Any recommendations on manufacturers for both the flooring and barrier? I've heard good things about Kahrs, Anderson and Mirage? Opinions?

c) The rooms are pretty much square with only a brick fireplace hearth as an obstacle. Should be able to get around that with a jam saw/diamond blade.
Is a project of this nature pretty attainable by a DIYer or should I hire a professional.

I am going into unchartered waters, however I am willing to learn and work hard, long hours. Please fire away with your comments, questions, etc. I want to learn from this experience.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

In no particular order, here are some answers for you.
A floating install is much easier for the average DIY'er and dispenses with the cost and labour of the glue. Consider $1.00 a foot as an approximate cost.
A glue down application is slightly more forgiving in its requirement for a FLAT surface to install on.
Using the proper sound-deadening underlayment, will REDUCE the hollow sound characteristic of a floating floor.
There should be no need to re-finish a floor in the limited time you expect to be using it. If it does become necessary, expect to pay a lot to re-finish a hand scraped floor.
Also, again regarding re-finishing, good luck finding a professional willing to take on a staining project that involves maple.
Still on re-finishing, float floors require the highest degree of expertise and equipment to re-sand.


Now, as to actual product, do not look to the inexpensive off-shore product for selection of material. Either American or Canadian product is the way to go. Alternately, Kahr's (Sweden) or a product from Belgium such as Torly's (the importer) will be fine.
Unfortunately, our chinese brethren are not yet up to our quality standards so steer away from them unless you are one of these guys that get a kick out of Russian Roulette.

Mirage has a good selection of both float and glue down products, none are hand-scraped (as yet). Remember that this may be a passing fad (ignore the "may", it will be unfashionable within a few years) and may be problematical when time to sell the house.

Lastly, for now; remember that you are purchasing a floor, not a Picasso, and minor damage caused by your family should generate fond memories, not be a cause for aggravation.

Not if your having nightmares about hollow spots!!

Actually the requirement is exactly the same for subfloor flatness, glue or float.

While the "requirements" are the same, one CAN install glue down floors with a more relaxed degree of flatness with no fear of a product failure, if the irregularities are addressed.
I am not recommending laying a floor on a roller coaster track, just applying some "outside the box" thinking.
As an example of what I mean, if gluing down a floor over a less than perfect substrate, one could weight down the floor over the problem area. This would not work with a float install.
Up here, we live in a less than perfect world; and sometimes have to make do with what we are given, and make the best of it. Rarely to we confine ourselves "to the book"

Dennis, It's the same here. In the past, I have been asked to install wood floors over the most horrendous substrates imaginable. And sometimes, I even did it. But now days, if it isn't pretty decent or I'm not allowed to repair it, it's either a waiver or I walk away. I've turned down real nice money makers due to poor substrates.

Thanks for all of the advice. Dennis, I noticed that you live in Richmond Hill. My mother-in-law lives there and we will be visiting there in a few weeks. My wife and I plan on looking around at flooring while we are there. Any suggestions on where to look (ideally someplace with a U.S. connection (ideally ideally, haha some place that sells in San Antonio, Tx))

I plan on prepping the floor to include getting the surface flat. I am the second owner of this house, and if the sub flooring is anything like some of the other new construction that this house came with, I am in for a real treat. I am imagining (as with most homes around here) that the carpet w/ pad was simply laid over the concrete flooring.

More to come....please keep the advice coming.

Paul

I would be pleased to show you around our showroom when you come to Richmond Hill.
Although I believe advertising on this forum is not permissible, I dont think I would get into trouble for mentioning that I have shipped material to such places as Florida, Connecticut, Oregon, Austria, Barbados, etc. So I could possibly help you out with your purchase.
It may be possible to arrange to ship to a local flooring contractor in your area if not to your home.
I can arrange the paperwork for you and use our export broker, so the sale would be relatively painless.

In the meantime, there is a wealth of information to be had on this site. Some of these guys are amazingly knowledgeable and should be able to help you with any install probs you may encounter.


(ASIDE TO KEN or GARY): am I stepping over any boundaries in this thread?

I believe that Austinfloorguy may be your best resource for local information.

Dennis,

Would be more than happy to visit the store. Not sure how to pass my e-mail over to you...new to this forum, but we can correspond off-line.

Austin Floor Guy - I know that you're in Austin (obviously) but do you know any good installers in the San Antonio area? Would like to talk to you to get some inside information. Ideally, I'd like to help out on the project ('go fer', manual labor, etc) to get some experience, but I don't want to get in the way of progress either.

Thanks!

Paul

Aside to Ken or Gary, can we post email addys here?