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Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Suzanne Posted:

Harwood floors.. how do you know?

When we see a house that has wtw carpet, and they say that there is hardwood floors underneath, how do you really know if they are, and what they look like.. do you just have to take their word for it???

Misty Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Breaking in on a newleywed post!

CHECK! Definitely CHECK. Ask them to lift a corner up in a closet.

We looked at one house that was for sale by owner and they insisted there were hardwood floors, but they never looked underneath the carpet that was there when they got there..and sure enough..SUBFLOORING!
Suzanne Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

WOW misty thanks!! that is exactly what i was thinking could happen!

Misty Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

And honestly, don't ever worry what they look like. Flooring is one of the easier (although more messy) jobs to do in a house. As long as there aren't planks coming up that you can feel, and you don't smell anything musty (which could indicate water damage) anything can be done to it!

Claud2001 Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Ditto to what Misty said...!!

Also, keep in mind that houses that are on concrete slabs never have real hardwood floors. You can't put hardwood over a slab, so if there is a wood floor, it's probably laminate or some other synthetic material. Don't be duped!
sparkles Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

concrete slab as in house w/out basement???


Suzanne Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Thanks ladies!!! Claud, what do you mean by concrete slabs? what would that look like?

Sonicstef Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

I have to disagree with Claud and Misty a bit. Good hardwood floors are VERY EXPENSIVE to install - make sure they are what and in what condition they say they are in. We have hardwood floors that were underneath carpeting for 30 years or so...lucky for us the severe damage was minimal so we had to make small repairs before refinishing them...but to install quality hardwood floor in an area without them costs a fortune.

sparkles Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

other thing i just wanted to add is it's not terribly difficult or expensive (considering other house costs) to put down your own new and nice hardwood flooring

i wouldn't pass up a great house just b/c it doesn't have hardwood floors

my house has all hardwood floors (never had carpets so no tack holes which is lucky and nice) and the basement has concrete walls - thus my ? to claude

edited for sonic's post to say - bro-in-law put down own flooring - said it's not diff. or expensive - depends on what wood you buy...

contractor putting down flooring (cedar - no knots) was less thant $5000
Misty Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Agreed Stef...I was just stating that if there wasn't much damage, sanding and poly'ing a hardwood floor isn't that crazy an expense...

Suzanne Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

thanks ladies you have definatly given me something to think about next time we are out looking at a house..

The only reason that i am curious is because my realtor took us to this house and she said its hardwood floors through out and when we went up stairs she opened one of the bedroom closets and the rug lifted back and there were no hardwood floors, just a floor that you would see in a basement, and i assumed maybe they only meant downstairs?
Misty Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

That's very suspicious...mention it to the realtor, and definitely use it if you make an offer!

Diane Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Hubby installed out wood floor in our dining room. It was a slate fool in 2 inces of cement. It was a B@TCH to take up, but well worth it. The materials were NOT that expensive. He boought the wood unfinished, and installed it himself, and then we had someone finish it. So if hubby is handy, or know someone it helps!!!!

alina Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

We had friends who were buying a brand new house (i.e. having it built). They were told that hardwood floors will run about $1,000/room (and we're not talking in mansion terms here)... So just an FIY to keep in mind.

dgtlsunshine Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Hardwoods floors are not really hard to install or as expensive as a contractor or builder will charge you. We are building a house and to get hardwood floors just in the living room and dining room they charge an extra 5k My mom knows a man that did hers for less than that and it looks beautiful. I wish he was down here b/c I would love for our entire house to have hardwood floors but that is not happening right now.
Sonicstef Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

I guess it depends on your definition of expensive. Good wood costs a fortune IMO. I couldnt believe how much just the raw materials cost! When I went to buy some wood, I was thinking - its just trees right? :D

Suzanne Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Thanks ladies!!!! I was hoping to move in with hardwood already down, with the cost of moving to a new home and everything else i am going to need, i didnt want to spend money installing hardwood... and if i had my way of course i would want the expensive kind!! I love a mohagany colored floor..

dgtlsunshine Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Stef you are right. I was just saying it is a little more reasonable priced if you do it yourself and yes I agree the very good wood is expensive. The one we are getting is not even the kind my mother has which is better. Also I saw your floor in one of your pics and that is the more expensive hard wood flooring and also they charge much more to install that kind b/c it does not come pre cut or something like that the builder said.

Claud2001 Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

Stef, you are right...installing hardwood can be very expensive...I didn't see a reference to cost in Misty's original post - I should have read more carefully before stating a 'blanket' agreement. Sorry.

Regarding concrete slab - this is when the home is build directly on a slab of concrete without any basement below. You cannot install hardwood over a concrete slab. However, you can install faux wood floors over concrete and subflooring, so don't pass up a great house just b/c it's on a slab and doesn't have real hardwood!
RichsBride Posted:

Re: Harwood floors.. how do you know?

I know I'm jumping kinda late on this-but hardwood floors range in price quite a bit. The part of installation that is tricky & is best done by a pro is the finish/polyeurathane. Another cost factor is the type of wood and any design or inlay.
Hardwood floors can be installed over a slab & are often ideal when using radiant heating systems in those homes. The installation is difficult & time consuming therefore most installers encourage homeowners to use a manmade material like Pergo.
Manufactured flooring can be an excellent alternative for many reasons.
Although hardwood floors are beatiful & adds lots of charm to a home, often if they've been covered by carpet for 30 years they are not in good condition or were not done to a finish that would be acceptable.

This is a hardwood floor on a slab w/radiant heat


This is a custom pergo floor



And this is a basic hardwood floor

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