Questions about replacing timber floor

[Hybrid]

Well after much consideration, the better half and I decided to hang the expense and replace the damaged floor in our kitchen, dining room and two hallways. Have a read of this thread for background information and pics.

We've decided that we both like the look of "Australiana" grade 80mm Australian Beech secret nailed. Before we go ahead with the floor I have a few questions that I need to ask from informed, impartial persons in the know.


Firstly; The flooring mob said the preferred method is to totally remove the old boards so they could lay the new boards on the current joists. They did say they can install ontop of existing floors, though this was not the recommended method. A carpenter I spoke with said he would just lay the new boards straight over the current boards.

Secondly; There are several "higher" spots that are noticable to the eye in the current floor. When I pointed these out to the carpenter he said these high spots can just be planed so the floor is level again, prior to the new floor being layed on top. The height difference would be approx 2-3mm over 400-500mm I guesstimate. Does this sound right way to go about it?

Thirdly; The flooring mob recommended that the boards be laid 90 degrees to the existing boards (if we decide to go straight over the old floor) so as not to follow any imperfections in the floor. The carpenter didn't seem to think it was an issue which way we laid the floor. How important is this factor?

Lastly; We have been quoted $43.00 sq metre for supply only of the "Australiana" grade Aussie Beech in 80mm width OR $105.00 sq metre supply, installed, sanded and polished. Do these prices sound reasonable? Am I being ripped off? Also, should I end up getting my carpenter to install the floor, what is a reasonable rate just for sanding and polishing?

[glock40sw]

G'day.
Answers to your questions in point form.

1. You can do either install method. However the best job would be to remove the existing floor.

2. It is far easier to remove high spots from the joists when the old floor has been removed.

3. This is the correct way to lay another floor over an existing floor.

4. Prices sound reasonable.

Please note.. DO NOT LET THE BUILDER LAY THE FLOOR !!!!!!!!!!!

For christ sake, use a specialist floor installer, sander, finisher.
Who have you got quotes from?
Hardwood Floors at Marrickville?
Sydney Flooring at Chipping Norton?
S.E. Timbers?

It sounds as though you have been quoted Boral Production Aussie Beech.

All the best.
Hooroo.
Regards, Trevor
Grafton

Hardwood Flooring Manufacturer BTW...

[Gaza]

If you remove the existing floor this will elimante any steps from old floor to new floor,

Being in the business of commerical floor laying i know that 90% of flooring co.s are not carpenters, but butchers it will cost you more to have your carpenter do the work.

Which co, quoted you, '

give syd flooring a call they are one of the best in syd. ( i often price against them and are around the same price)

if laying over existing floor make sure that the person installing the floor uses flexible adhesive and lots of it to ensure that the two dont move.

[Hybrid]

give syd flooring a call they are one of the best in syd. ( i often price against them and are around the same price)

For christ sake, use a specialist floor installer, sander, finisher.
Who have you got quotes from?
Hardwood Floors at Marrickville?
Sydney Flooring at Chipping Norton?
S.E. Timbers?

It sounds as though you have been quoted Boral Production Aussie Beech.

You guys must have a crystal ball!!! The quote I received was from Sydney Flooring at Chipping Norton. And I am fairly certain the prices quoted were on Boral Aussie Beech. Is this a good product? Is there a better product I should look for?

[Sir Stinkalot]

Rip up the old floor and then you will have a life time of .....
box making timber, pen making timber, table top material, planter box material .....

[Gaza]

Aussie Beach is a great looking floor it has range of colours from whites to light browns, we are doing a job of about 750mt2 in boral a/b. great value for money floor. Boral is one of the better productions with great after sale service if there is any problems with the product unlike some other producers. Australian grade is equal to standard grade by other producers, boral supplies manly long lenghs which other producers dont always do. I will post some photos tommorrow of the Sanded and polished job.

Beware there is Co. currenlty dumping stock in syd there product is simliar to aussie beach sold under same name but beware, they just sold there mill to boral but boral did not buy the stock, so there is going to be no after sales service just dump and run.

Go ahead get syd flooring to do the job, you may be able to get a better price when you ring to place the order as i have been told they are "slow" at the monment. I would give myself a plug but we are flat out so unless you want to wait till september uses Syd flooring. ( i have no dealings with syd flooring just admire there business and wish one day i can be number one)

[namtrak]

If you rip up the floor, it will be a good opportunity to check your joists and bearers. Level out that hump and restore antcaps etc. If you remove the old floor properly and denail it, you could probably sell it for a couple of dollars a metre (drinking money).

If your not confident about laying the floor yourself then think about getting a professional in. Personally I reckon a little bit of planning and you should be right to do it yourself!!

Get quotes from timber - (delivered) from all over the place. I've even got a quote from bunnings (I need to check the actual quality of the timber first)

[jimc]

I would have to agree. Do it yourself...you will get a far better job anyway.

My Baltic+oregon floorboards became a feast for many families of borers over the years. After a ladder fell through the floor with me near the top holding a paint brush, I decided the floor needed to be replaced. The areas that were to be carpeted had yellow tongue installed, the other had brushbox.

I have installed a brushbox floor in my hallway that included going under an existing stairwell (Read-lift the bloody frame off the existing rotted boards). I had never done floors before and I knocked over the 25 metres2 in two days
I already have blackwood on one room and the other has a dark vic ash so to break the transition from one floor to the other, I installed Kari.

From start to finish it took 2.5 days the hire of a secret nail staple gun, approx 10 tubes of Zero nails and my trusty mitre saw.

Of course you will have to remove all your skirting boards before hand.

All up I reckon I saved approx $2500 in labour by doing it myself.

Oh and another tip....make sure you aclimatise the new baords for as long as you can do it before you install them.