Refinish existing wood floor or lay new one

Napagirl · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:11 pm

We are FTHB and we are wanting to do as much as possible on our own as we are using most of our money to get in. We are purchasing a home buitl in 1941. It has harwood floors throughout. The bedrooms aren't too bad and considering our financial situation, we will probably just get area rugs. Ours is a very small home. less than 800 square ft. Our diningroom and livingroom floors are very worn and stained. We thought about refinishing and we're not sure if we can handle it. We purchased enough bamboo flooring to do the l/r and d/r as well as the hall, approx. 330 sq. ft for $300. We would like to do it the most cost effective way. Suggestions are welcome re: refinishing vs bamboo. Also, can we just lay over the old flooring as long as its level? I read someone its possible, as long as its laid in the opposite direction. Also, do we use underlayment of any time prior to laying over the existing floor? Could really use some advice.......

Gary · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:30 pm

If the existing floor is well secured and sound, you may install another floor over it. Run the new floor at anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees to the existing floor direction. I would use Aquabar "B" flooring paper between the old and the new.
http://www.fortifiber.com/aquabar_b.html
Or Fortifiber Hardwood Floor Underlayment HWD-15.
http://www.fortifiber.com/hwd-15.html

IMHO, the refinished floor (done well) is a better floor because:
1) It is consistent with the original details of the home.
2) It is probably oak, which, IMO, is a better flooring material than bamboo.
3) If you paid less than a buck a ft. for the bamboo flooring, I'd question the quality of it.

But refinishing requires some skill. I've seen some poor jobs out there so I recommend hiring an experienced pro with sterling references. You may not be able to afford a pro. I'd guesstimate 800 ft refinished to be between 2000 and 2400 dollars.

Nick · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:45 am

I would be leary about Bamboo at that price to .. How do you check MC in that stuff Gary ? there is no real calibration on the meter for it , and if it came from China you know it is probably at FSP .. If you are set on installing it , i would let it acclimate at least a couple of weeks in the house .. I should know this ,but i don't . can you sand and finish boo ?

Napagirl · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:23 am

I forgot to mention that I didn't purchase the bamboo from a retailer. It was on CL and it was leftover from some big job in the city. The person from whom I purchased the flooring was an aquaintance that I trust. That being said, how would I check the floorings quality?

Gary · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:02 am

All Bamboo comes from China. Ken here knows which are the better companies and brands. I'd ask your friend the brand name then google it and see how much you can learn about it. BTW, bamboo floors can usually be refinished.

Nick · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:00 am

Thanks , i was curious if the heat from the drum would darken it ..

Napagirl · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:05 am

This is a link to the brand and other info. Please let me know what your opinions on this flooring are. http://floorus.com/BambooPro.aspx?P=BBVNSP

Gary · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:47 pm

Well, it APPEARS to be ok. But, on that site, they said this:

Quote:

Why Bamboo?

Hottest trend in current floor world. Bamboo is 25% Harder Than Red Oak, 12% Harder Than Rock Maple. It is more dimensionally table than commonly used wood flooring including oak and maple.Given its hardness, durability, beauty, and environmental friendliness, bamboo is a simple alternative to traditional hardwood flooring in that:

* Uniquely attractive
* Strong and resilient
* Dimensionally stable
* Moisture and stain resistant
* Environmentally friendly

Besides its beauty, hardness and durability, a substance derives its value from environment friendly characteristic. Fast growing, self regenerating and rapidly renewable also enable bamboo an alternative to the world's extremely rare and preservative treated hardwood.
Why AMERIQUE Bamboo Flooring?

There are many species of Bamboo. Amerique Bamboo flooring uses only Mao Bamboo with 5 years of maturity, selecting the base of the stalk for its superior strength and hardness. It is harvested from the high slopes of mountain. Bamboo grown on slopes and mountains has much greater strength than those grown in valleys.

Amerique bamboo flooring combines the inherent renewable characteristics of bamboo, with low emission glues and surface coatings. This combination has created new and unique environmentally friendly flooring option to the North American market. You can make every room a living room with this beautiful, strong and long-lasting floor.

North America's best bamboo value! We dare you to compare AMERIQUE Bamboo flooring to any brands! Absolutely we dare you to compare prices to any store!

I take issue with many of these remarks and some are just plain false. Like, "harder than oak and maple". This is simply not true. And "extremely rare and preservative treated hardwood"? Another bogus remark. When a manufacturer makes some false claims, it makes me question some of it's other remarks. However, I am biased as I personally do not care for it. It's my opinion you would be better served by refinishing your timeless oak flooring than installing bamboo over it. But it's your home and you're the one that lives there and pays the bills, so it's your choice and decision.

Nick · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:53 pm

Have to agree with you Gary .. It's Panda Food .. Grass .. :roll:

Barquios · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:13 pm

There are many grammatical problems with this add to boot. I'm sure I have many grammatical errors in my postings as well. But I am just a tired flooring contractor enjoying an adult beverage while posting notes to other interested souls on a website late at night after work and the family are asleep... not a successful international flooring manufacturer looking to advertise my competent, reliable, and established company. :roll:

stonewood · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:28 am

Cheers Barquios!

Napagirl · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:59 pm

Well gentlemen, I sincerly thank you for your feedback and opinions. My husband and I have decided to look further into whether or not these floors can be refinished to start with. They are in pretty bad shape but mostly they are just warn and scratch. We will most likely sell the bamboo. If we cannot refinish the floors with cost being an deal breaker then we have decided to look into laminate flooring as an alternative to the bamboo. I've seen and heard alot of good things about it and think it may be worth checking into. I know we cannot afford to put in real hardwood flooring if it can't be refinished.

Any thoughts on Laminate??? Any better than bamboo???

Thanks again, and again , and again.

Napagirl

Gary · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:10 pm

There are some lams that look pretty good. And they are typically more durable than some hardwoods, and bamboo. The thing that's a plus for you is that most lams are floated, which will not destroy the real oak floors you now have. But here's the thing about it cost wise. Any decent looking laminate will cost nearly 3 bucks a foot or more, material only. For that amount, you can have your existing floors refinished. But without seeing them, it's hard to say whether the oak flooring you have now is in good enough condition for refinishing. There maybe some boards that will need replacing if they are very badly stained. Most hardwood refinishers will supply a free estimate. Why not get some estimates and opinions before proceeding? Couldn't hurt.

Nick · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:40 pm

High presure Lams are much better then direct pressure lams .. and cost more .. Wilsonart makes a decent one since they fixed their joinery system ..

Refinish existing wood floor or lay new one

Who is online