Laying Solid Oak Flooring - Need Advice Please!

[thatdarnguy]

Hi folks, really need some advice here! We've had some beatiful solid oak (18mm thick) flooring sitting in our dining room since December, we're going to be laying it in our open plan living + diningroom and hallway.

We've had about 6 joiners out to give us quotes now, every single one of them expressly state a different way of fitting the flooring! The problem is that we have a Concrete floor with vinyl tiles on top of the concrete (they seem sturdy enough and none are loose).

So far we've been told that we need have this fitted 3 different ways!

One insisted that we glue the flooring directly to the tiles with a troweled adhesive. We were quoted £1k for this quite a while back, including fitted new MDF skirtings and facings.

The next guy came along and insisted that the best way to do it is to lay plywood throughout, then nail down the flooring and glue the tongue and groove. Still waiting for the quote for this one (Was just yesterday).

Then the next guy showed up tonight and said the only way to do it is by having it as a floating floor, gluing the tongue and groove with a damp-proof foil membrane underneath to protect the wood from the dampness from concrete. He gave us a quote of £15 per sq. m of flooring laid, which works out as £495, then 1-2 days work @ £156 a day for the skirtings which we choose and purchase, then have him collect them. This doesn't include glue or the foil membrane, which is roughly £30 per 10 sq. m.

All of them sounded very confident in their methods, but which one is right!?? And also importantly, are these reasonable rates? They claim that the whole job will take 2 men around 3 days to complete.

Really don't know how to go forward with this, but very anxious to get it done! Any advice would be very very much welcome! Many Thanks!!

 

[mattysupra]

depending on the moister results of your concrete floor, the method of fitting will be different. Lets say that the relative moister results are fine, which i guess they will be if concrete laid in the last 30-40 years.

Floating method-

If the tiles are well glued down they can stay down. You need to lay combi underlay and then install wood by gluing tongue and groove. Be careful tho as alot of uk suppliers wont give you warrantee on this method unless they say this is a recommended method of there's. But this is a trusted method abroad.

Glue down

The tiles have to be lifted and then a water or acrylic based levelling compound laid. Next flooring adhesive needs to spread across the subfloor and the wood laid into it.

Expect to pay between 15-25 sq m. If you want a recommend fitter in your area then goggle nicf (national institute of carpet and floorlayers) and have a look at there members section.