Q: I am looking for an inexpensive real wood flooring that might be a good bet in Salt Lake City, Utah. I DON’T want really hard stuff that won’t get beat up. (I would prefer a “worn”, very informal, cottage-type look!) All the info I can find relates to hardwood, so I guess this is a strange idea. But if I don’t spend a fortune on the wood, I can always re-do it in 10 years if I want better wood by then, right?
Also, is there any kind of under-flooring moisture barrier that we can install that would also help give wood flooring a softer, more cushion-y type feel so it’s not as “hard on feet”?
A: I’m rather partial to quarter sawn white oak. You might want to contact Timberline Hardwood Dimensions in NY state to see how their prices are. If you wanted something softer, you might be able to get pine or similar from a local mill cheap.
Cork or other sound barrier underlayment can be installed to soften up the floor some, but I wouldn’t call these moisture barriers.
Related Questions
Proper underlayment for solid hardwood flooringQ: I am in the process of buying solid hardwood maple flooring 2 1/4" with 3/4" thickness. I have been researching the web and have found numerous opinions, pros and cons on the use of a proper underlayment. I have a heated insulated basement with duct work running along the…
Brown cardboard like underlaymentQ: I'm installing pre finished 3/4 thick by 4" wide hickory Flooring. I am tearing out the 5/8" particle board underlayment. Under the 5/8" particle board is 1/2" brown lightweight stuff that I am unfamiliar with. Looks like cardboard but it's not. Under that is 5/8" plywood. What is the…
Roofing tar paper for underlayment?Q: I am installing 3/8" engineered over existing old hardwood. Two questions: What is the best product for levelling out the low/uneven areas of this old floor? Also, What is the best underlayment? I am leaning towards roofing tar paper. Thanks in advance. A: As long as the dips aren't…
Remove the attached underlayment and use my own?Q: I'm interested in using FloorMuffler or cork as an underlayment but the Pergo 10mm laminates I like happen to have an attached thin foam underlayment already. Should I just remove the attached underlayment and use my own? I'm going for a solid, non-hollow feel and sound. Thanks for your…
Wood flooring underlay paperI am installing a hardwood floor in both of my bedrooms. I have a subfloor down. Is there anything else that I might need to put down prior to laying the hardwood?