Floating vs Solid

[ChrisB]

Hi all,
I have just come across this great forum and have found some valuable info. However, I would love some specific advice as we are building a new house and want to go the right way. We have a steel frame with yellow tongue flooring, and plenty of ventilation underneath as it is on steel stumps. We want to lay solid timber floor (kempas) but have been told that we will need to clean and seal the floor, then glue it down. A local flooring place said this will be nothing but trouble because of the different expansion/contraction rates between the two woods. I also read in an early thread that this is not a good idea, as the glue will basically rip from the chipboard. The local bloke said to lay the floating floor, as it will give plenty of room to move. My wife doesn't want the floating floor as she has heard that it can bow/buckle, and also heard that it marks very easily. Just another spanner, I am considering buying through a Sydney wholesaler Ankors Direct (we live in Mildura Vic) because they are nearly half the price of the locals. Is this a wise way to go? I would be most grateful for any advice.
Chris :)

[Gaza]

solid timber flooring is always installed over particle board sub floors day in day out, while its not as good as plywood it is ok.

You will need to use a polyurthane glue. IE sika T55 / ultraset

You will need expasion joints in the timber flooring as it is laid, the basic rule is 10mm every 6mts.

In regards to kepass it may be cheap and a hard timber it is imported and comes in short lengths. (anckors) this may be the look your after but Australain timbers are x100 better plus they are local.

[glock40sw]

G'day.
If your flooring bloke is telling you this, Pizz him off and get another that knows what he is talking about.
As Gaza stated. Solid T&G is layed over Y/tongue everyday by many installers. It is classed as a preffered installation.

The Y/tongue should be level sanded and then the T&G glued and secret nailed. Polyurethane adhesive only...NOt Waterbased and not elcheapo maxbond or generic liquid nails type glue. Bostik Ultraset or Sika T55J.

BTW... Kempas is Craap. You are building a new home. you want to use the best as you will be living in it for a long time. You want a floor that will be the envy of all that visit. Use Australian Hardwood. Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Grey Ironbark, Tallowood, Blue Gum, Rose Gum, Brush Box, Turpentine, Grey Box, White Mahogany, Aussie Beech just to name a few.

If you want the floor to look like elcheapo floating Schit after a few years, go for the floater.

If you want quality, go for the solid.

[ChrisB]

Thanks both for your replies. It is heartening to hear your thoughts, especially when this is the way I would really prefer to go. I am checking to see who the local installers are, but there are only a few. If not, I'll do a bit more research and organise to do it myself with the help of the guy I have doing the majority of the building work. Any thoughts on the best way to go for suppliers? I am keen to go the aussie hardwood way if I can keep it reasonably cheap. Thanks again. ChrisB:)

[Larry McCully]

Simple ..... solid floor lasts 200 years laminates 10 years. Laminates look good but natural timber floors look great, ask gazza.