Another Penny Pinching Customer!

ron schenker

Customer insists on nailing new 3 1/4" maple hardwood flooring over original 2" oak hardwood. The floor is very solid but old looking. It's a living room and dining room and the tile floor in the hall butting up to it just happens to be 3/4" higher so the new floor will be the perfect height. I know it's the wrong way...I would remove the old floor and build up the subfloor to get the right height, but the HO wants to save money. Not only that, but he wants the floor running the same way, so I can't install it perpendicular to the old wood. What's the worst that can happen if I do the job?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

Peladu

The worst? You get the reputation of doing shoddy work.
For me that would be the worst.

Big Dave

Probably excessive gapping. Also I don't think it will look very flat either. I would not do it. If there are any problems it will come back on you because you should know better.

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Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

Tom R

I'd at least lay down 1/4" luanne first, - - then make 'em sign off on it, too.

If I was even going to do it, that is.

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http://www.tr-built.com

Glasshousebltr

The new floors not only going to split at almost every joint, but it's going to look like the rolling hills of western Montana.

Bob

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Bob

hatchet

ahem.. western montana has mountains not hills

And I agree with the above posts - would be a good one to pass on.

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

ron schenker

Bob...please explain why this will happen

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

Gordo

Its the contraction and expansion that will create your problems.

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Looks like some pros were here.

erik edlund

Hey Tom,

Do you mean "Lauan" plywood?

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Kind regards,

Erik D. Edlund

Grainywood

You're the expert. Tell him exactly what will happen and the reason why there are these standards.

If you end up doing it, list every possible reason why it shouldn't be done that way and what standards should have been followed, have them sign off on it.

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"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

mdshunk

Of course he does. Erik, dont' be one of 'those guys'. Nobody likes 'those guys'. We're tradesmen, not journalists or spelling bee champions.

MattCoops

ha ha
even worse, I hate shop employees that correct you when you say a manufacturers name wrong

wait, did I spell manufacturers right?

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Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

ron schenker

Almost, you left out the apostrify '
wait, did I spell apostify right?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

Donedat

Simply put, oak and maple are different species and react differently to climates. If it was oak over oak he would have very little problems. Maple over oaks is not a good idea.

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I admit...I don't know everything...but don't tell my kids I told you.

ukfloorlayer

easy put 6 mm ply down nail it every 4 inch with ring shank nails then do the floor or tell customer to do 1 no jobs worth all that agro especially for next to nowt

Tom R

Actually, - - I was talkin' about layin' my old girlfriend, Luanne.

But she broke up with me.

Somethin' about my spellin'.

Or so she said . . .

Tom R

I often think back of her fondle-y . . .

dougchips

If he is that cheap, why not just refinish the old floor? Or stain some of
Tom's Lauan? Maybe offer some sawdust so he can raise chickens,sell them and have the funds to pay you for a proper job.

Rambone

I have known people that have done this. They screwed the oak floor down making sure to hit the floor joice every 4 to 6" then put down tar paper so the floor can expand and contract. Then put down your new floor. I talked to them some time later and it still looks great.


Rambone

J DoubleD FLoor

ummm why not just do it the right way or walk away .... no job is worth that kinda call back

oops sorry "no job is worth that kind of" call+/-back

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