I recently bought a house and will be doing a lot of work on it. I pulled all the carpet up and it does have hardwood floors and they are in great condition. The house was built about 40 years ago and the flooring has wide spaces between the pieces. I have thought about using some type of filler to fill the gaps then thought about using wood laminate on top, but after checking the prices it would cost me several thousand to do the whole house.
I am re thinking that, unless I can find it on clearance. So, what I am thinking now is using plywood as the floor and staining it. I am thinking of taking large pieces of plywood and cutting them into strips or using the whole pieces, but I think cutting it would look better. What type of wood is best for floors that won't dent easy, and what thickness of wood is best? Wood laminate is thin so can plywood of the same thickness be used?
I don't like the idea of nails showing so would it work to use a liquid nail or a wood glue? I am looking for any ideas and help that anyone can offer and if anyone has ever done this and can share a picture.
Stacie from Columbia, SC
If you are going to use whole sheets of plywood, you can get a router and make the lines in the plywood to look like real hardwood floors (09/10/2008)
By LEONA LABINE
PICO's idea is good! If you do that, use wood screws drilled down below plywood surface, putty cover those screw hole 'dents' with the closest matching wood putty as possible of the plywood color and be sure to double or triple varnish coat entire floor because every single spill on virgin wood will show otherwise, especially plywood.
It might behoove you to pinch your pennies and go ahead and purchase something like Pergo Flooring instead though and just do each room as you can afford. If I remember correctly it has a lifetime warranty. And it definitely looks like wood, holds up better than wood and holds up well even against scratches and water! BTW, how far apart are the spaces on the current flooring? I am intrigued about that. (09/10/2008)
By Deeli
I think you should find out if the flooring you have, if it is really hardwood, can be refinished. This would make a much better floor, and likely much less expensive than plywood or laminate. Hardwood is a much better material. (09/10/2008)
By Louise B.
The gaps in the floor are about 1" wide. I was told that when this house was built they did that with floors to save on wood. The day after I sent a request with this question I found my answer. It will be Pergo or a brand with the same lifetime warranty and this is the reason why.
The salon I work in has laminate wood floors. It's not pergo but a cheaper look alike. A water pipe busted and it sat for 2 days. The floor is now warped and peeling up like paper. The floor is less than 2 years old and between the scratches all over it and now the warping it looks terrible. The entire salon floor has to be replaced.
So, I have decided to not try and save money on the house flooring. I am not and will not be living in this house so I do have plenty of time to complete this project. I will buy a few boxes along the way while doing all the other projects. I am doing a total face lift on this house and in no hurry. I will check out fast floors, thanks for that info and if anyone has any other ideas please let me know. (09/11/2008)
By Stacie
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