Hi,

No experience with hardwood floor installation.

I'm getting bids on installing 75y/o solid oak flooring on a plywood sub-floor (raised foundation) at a home in So. Cal. One contractor likes using a coat of 'Chinese Tung Oil' followed by one coat of 'regular' Waterlox then one coat of satin Waterlox. Another contractor does not use tung oil but instead uses two coats of 'regular' Waterlox followed by two coats of satin Waterlox. Which is 'better'?

Also, these floors are not perfect. Naturally they have some warping and imperfections. The subject of glueing them down (along with staples or nails) has come up as an 'option', at a cost ofcoarse Should I do it? Thanks

I'd stick to the all Waterlox system. Also, a wide plank floor ( 6+ inches wide ) can benefit from gluing as well as blind nailing.

Thanks Gary.

This stuff is only 3"" wide and 'mostly' straight and flat. Would there be a compatability problem with Tung Oil and Waterlox?


Edit: Oops, I see on the label that Waterlox is made from Tung Oil so I wouldn't think there would be a compatability problem. Maybe the Chinese Tung Oil is overkill?

Its unlikely you will have compatibility problems with the two products, provided you allow sufficient drying times.
You mentioned that this is 75 year old flooring. If the tongue and grooves are intact, i wouldn't think gluing will be necessary. If they are broken and/or brittle, then glue might be a good idea.

Thanks