Recommendations On Click Flooring?

rickw919

I am refinishing my own basement (600 sq. ft.) and have ripped up all the carpeting and padding. The slab is very dry and needs some grinding and filling. After I have tackled this chore I have decided to go with a prefinished click floor. I just want to put a thermal/vapor barrier pad first and go with the quickest install possible. Door openings are not an issue as I am reframing the entire space. One concern is excessive floor give and/or hollow sound.

Which manufacturers have the best tolerances and ease of installation? Any suggestions for a project like this? I have already looked at Schon and Kahrs both at Lumber Liquidators and ProSource.

Thanks in advance.

Mike Costello

All the tolerances are going to be pretty close to the same. You will want to get that floor as flat as you can.

PrecisionFloors

As far as a floating hardwood goes, Kahrs is the best product on the market imo.

You did state something that throws up a red flag though....
Are you planning to frame after the floor is installed? If so, that is an absolute no-no with a floating floor just fyi.

For pad I would go with a high density product like Hush Step, if you can find it. If you have a Pro Source near you they carry it.

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Floordude

The substrate has to meet strict flatness specs of 1/8" in 6' Some are 1/8" in 8'

You have to real careful with dew point temperatures in a basement!!!

Don't get Kahrs Woodloc, confused with Linnea, or Mega Strip. It is not the same.

Mirage has a fold & lock product

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rickw919

All rough framing (doorway R.O's /walls) will be done prior to flooring. I will also sheetrock/spackle/paint before floor install also.

I've checked out the New Mirage product, and it seems nice. Expensive though at $6 sf. I will also probably put 3/4" rigid insulation over 6m poly to add thermal resistance as well as eliminate the cold condensing surface so there will be no dewpoint or moisture problem.

Just didn't want to go to all this trouble to put a product down that doesn't perform well. I'll certainly make sure the substrate is level within manufacturers tolerances. Just was always heritant about a mechanical "click and lock" system and its long term durability.

I see that Lumber Liquidators is selling SCHON "Quick Clic" for $4 sf with no warranty and no returns. Instantly puts up a red flag for me!

Mike Costello

Your gonna put 3/4 rigid insulation under the wood?

Dont think I would try that one. Sounds cool but that insulation isnt meant to be travelled on or hold a load.If the wood starts settling into it your gonna have tongue breaking issues

Use a good sturdy rubber underlayment with your layer of poly

Floordude

Anything from Lumber Liquidators, throws up a red flag for me!!!!

Pure crap.

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floorinstall

I'm with you floor dude!

rickw919

That's a good point Mike! Although, we put rigid insulation (polyiso, not styrene) under 4 " concrete slabs every day and it more than handles the distributed dead load and live load of what's going on in the basements.

I, on the other hand, don't want to be the guinea pig on a hardwood flooring "experiment". That's why I figured I run the idea by you guys!

Mike Costello

Im sure the concrete is an even load and compesses the foam all at once.


Hey, I think you just solved it, just rip up the slab and put the foam under it

J DoubleD FLoor

The lumber liquidators - no return or warranty deal - is for buy outs that they clearance and don't normally stock ... you have a 60/40 chance of getting quality from them ... except their Bella product (70/30). Since price is an issue ... roll the dice with them and gl

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Floordude

You have better odds in Las Vegas!!

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