Heyas,, Got a few reno's to do on the house, including some cornice, plaster and paint and put a new floor down over a concrete slab..

Was thinking of floating floorboards? Has anyone used them? I dont want carpet (dogs and dirt) and they sound like a good option. Any ideas on price and ease of instalation?

OZ Man? Do you sell them??

I have had a bit to do with them Rum. You can install them yourself easily enough. They do swell and contract a bit, so you need to leave a space around all areas, then cover it with quad. (this was 10 years ago, so the product may have improved by now).. Need a jigsaw to cut around doorways etc...

Oz does have the stuff but I'd ask him for proper timber flooring
The floating stuff needs a good flat surface under & if it's not there it'll cost ewe just as much to prep a shity uneven exist surface

Another downside to floating boards is that they're made of MDF with a laminate surface with means keep water/moisture right away from them, ewe can get them in ply but even those dont like water.

Just remember ewe can allways sand back & re coat timber floor boards but not the case with the claytons wuns& they can look quite shitty in when the most walked on area's start to wear down

I have to agree with jumpy on this , they are easy but if not mantained correctly in a very short time they look shit.

If you are going for the floating stay away from the china imports , they are cheap and the reasons is they are E2 to E4 level and usually are only melamine on hdf or mdf.
The best ones are Egger from sweden only available from Harvey Norman ,sorry but I lost the contract on that one , the next is Laminex commerical range forget their other ranges as the commerical is more expensive but higher wear level , you see these in most Big W store laid in the clothing section, and the best is Boral silkwood range.
But my choice if I want something to last and look good for 20 years is Australian Solar timbers Timberlay range.
It is real wood that has been developed to be glued directly to concrete , particleboard and plywood.
With concrete you have to check the moisture level , even if doing the floating as it will effect the way the floor will last .
If the level is good all you have to do is put a membrane down and then glue the timberlay direct to it and then treat it as you would solid timber, sand it and stain it .
http://www.astfloors.com.au/products.htm

Do you sell any of these oz?? if so, how much would I be looking at for a bedroom and do you sell the membrane etc?

yes we sell the Timberlay and the laminex range.
As for the membrane if you are using Timberlay , it is like a rubber paint and you usually buy in a kit with the glue from Liquid nails and Bostick.

http://www.timberlay.info/
http://www.pasco.net.au/pasco/product_deta...amp;item_id=478
http://www.selleystrade.com.au/Liquid-Nail...ks/default.aspx

rumpus

I work as an area sales manager for the australias largest flooring retailer. So i can help you out on that.

I have a dog and I have laminate flooring in my house. With the timber you will find that with the dogs and your avarage daily life timber will be full of scretches. I find laminate floors are much more practical as they dont have that problem. Just keep the water away from them as jumpus said they will last long long time. The new products now aday have excelent water resistancy, as long as you dont wash them with a hose they're allright.

As ozman said stay away from chinese imports, german made ones are the way to go.

Awesome thanks Oz and boris... if i was to take some measurments could you price and possably suppy the gear If I decide to go that way

Rumpus

No problem mate,

Boris

Good thread.
Im in the middle of renovating my unit and im almost up to putting the laminate flooring down.
Had a connection at Doors Plus but he just left and i was unable to get the good discount he was offering me, but he says his mate can still help me out.
They have a good 15 year warranty and are scratch resistant.
I learnt abit about the buggers and im looking forward to putting them in once i get the painting done.
Now that there may be other options available i may have to look into what range you guys stock....

Now you've done it Spud !

Salty has got wind, he's not stupid & knows ewe really want to build a Dance Floor

I'm inspired to write another poem

There was a Spud Farmer called Chad
He drove the Cows in the paddock quite MAD
His dancing was Hot
Tango, Cha Cha & Fox Trot
Even Bees & The Jellybean joined the FAD

The closest store I have to you would be brookvale store salty,
Let me know,

Boris

What do you need from Doors plus, as I deal direct with the owners as they have a door manufacturing plant at wetherill park and Minchinbury that I supply.
That company has come along way from a smaill warehouse in Homebush bay to now being one of the top retailers in supply and fit doors.

Salty just likes going into their stores

He gets to practice his Limbo Dancing under the hung doors on display

I made a mistake fellas.
Not Doors Plus. I meant Carpet Court. Thats where i saw the flooring.
Dont need anything from Doore Plus at the moment, although i have taken the 4 doors down and im thinking of getting some new ones.