Yes, solid wood.

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at July 6, 2008 7:05 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

I had radiant heat installed and went with solid wood over engineered and have no regrets. At the time it was a dilemna as I didn't know which way to go, and I wasn't comfortable with engineered wood figuring I could only resurface it a limited number of times. I went with a maple wood 2 1/4 wide and haven't had any issues.

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at July 6, 2008 5:03 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

Prior to raising a family I did the same as you are suggesting in my 1br in Brooklyn Heights, and it appealed to many singles at the time of sale. I'd say go for it!

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at July 6, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Small bathroom without tub

I've recommended Transcend Masonry on posts in the past, they are professional, reasonably priced, and a pleasure to work with. They've done masonry and other work for me over the past couple of years. I'd be happy to comment further if any questions (laurenwalsh69@yahoo.com)

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at July 6, 2008 4:46 PM in response to recommendation for someone to fix concrete stoop

I had a very positive experience with Nick from transcend masonry. Professional and reasonably priced.

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at May 9, 2008 3:46 PM in response to Mason?

Conversion took a couple of months and I relied completely on my gut and a general contractor. The effort went quickly since all decisions were made up front (solid plan) and all materials were right off the shelf (lowes, home depot, etc).

If more detail is needed feel free to send me an email

laurenwalsh69@yahoo.com

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at May 6, 2008 8:28 PM in response to Cost of Conversion: General Estimate

Will all depend on who you hire. I did a similar conversion a couple of years back and the cost was under a 100psf.

Posted by: LaurenWalsh at May 6, 2008 6:37 PM in response to Cost of Conversion: General Estimate

10:04,

I think I will go with the engineered...I have seen this stuff in wide planks (6 inches or so), and thisnner planks (3 1/2 inches or so). Is it correct that I am better off with the thinner planks of 3 1/2 inches?

Also, I assume I need to float the floor? But I read that I can also glue it...is that true also?

Posted by: nybk01 at July 7, 2008 10:44 AM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

It's a 1BR apartment so I don't think you would have many offers from parents with kids anyway.

Posted by: Steve at July 7, 2008 2:49 PM in response to Small bathroom without tub

I'm gonna say it as bluntly as I can: avoid engineered flooring. I installed a high-end Mannington engineered oak floor in the hallway and all rooms in my second floor and I'm so freakin' sorry I did so.

Ignore the glowing praise about the 20 year finish warranty. The problem with engineered flooring isn't the finish. It's the underlayment -- the plywood backing under the veneer layer. Like any softwood plywood it compresses so the floor dents and gouges like crazy. It took about a month before my large dogs started making the floors look shabby, especially at the top of the stairs where they do their racing turns. Meanwhile, the six year older solid oak floor at the bottom of the stairs looks fine.

My neighbor installed an engineered floor in his basement just before his daughter's wedding reception. The next day there were divots all over the floor from womens' high heels.

Bottom line, a solid plank floor costs about the same as an engineered floor. The only thing you buy with engineered flooring is an easier installation.

You just reminded me that I need to write an article about this for BrooklynRowHouse.

Posted by: Steve at July 7, 2008 3:07 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

Slow day, Stoner?

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 3:45 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

Steve is wrong there - many parents of infants, and those without children but planning to have a kid, plan to stay in a one-bedroom with a small child for some years until they can afford something bigger.

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 4:20 PM in response to Small bathroom without tub

3:07, As I understand it, plywood is not the only option for the backing. There are also engineered woods with bamboo backing that are supposedly much hardier and just as efficient with radiant floor heating. Does anyone have experience with bamboo-backed engineered woods?

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 4:41 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

Don't do it. Especially if you're moving in 2-3 years, why absorb that extra cost and headache?

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 5:52 PM in response to Small bathroom without tub

Dunno. The only backings I'm aware of for engineered flooring are plywood and high density fiberboard. This is what gives it its selling points for stability, which is why it's recommended for radiant heating, basement and damp room applications.

If I didn't have big dogs my engineered floors would be in a lot better shape. But even hard drops will leave a dent. For instance, I accidentally dropped a hammer on the floor and it left a depression. That might sound unremarkable except it was less than a one foot drop. Unlike a solid hardwood floor where you can occasionally fix a dent with a damp towel and a steam iron, this won't work on an engineered floor.

Another problem I had with the floor (and this may be peculiar to Mannington) was something that happened to the finish. I have a hard plastic mat under my office chair. That's saved the floor from dents but it appears that some liquid got under it -- possibly Diet Pepsi from a poorly cleaned up spill. It attacked the finish leaving it dull and rough.

All in all, if I had it to do over again I'd go with solid hardwood. No question about it.

Posted by: Steve at July 7, 2008 6:03 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor

Sure they do... in affordable rental apartments. But how many parents with a small child would buy a 1BR co-op? That number has to be statistically insignificant.

Posted by: Steve at July 7, 2008 6:56 PM in response to Small bathroom without tub

I have 3.25" red oak hardwood over hydronic radiant in 2 rooms with no problem. As someone pointed out, the target floor temp is not high - 82 degrees I think. The floor gaps are minimal and less from the temperature than the low humidity. They disappear as the humidity rises.

Here's a link to the Radiant Panel Assoc http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1. Lots of good info poorly arranged. If you search enough you'll find a manual with an entire chapter on different floorings.

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 8:47 PM in response to Radiant heat under Bamboo floor