Paging RJ and other flooring experts.
 

A few quick flooring questions if you don't mind.

1. How much does it cost to put down about 1,000 square feet of hardwood in an office-type environment? Assume it's the most popular type of wood and ... what else? It's all in one irregularly shaped room. (We're talking rough, rough estimates here - I won't sue you if you're wrong.)

2. In an office-type environment, is one better off to use hardwood or to go with Pergo or some similar material? And if the answer is Pergo, how much would Pergo cost in Question 1? (The office environment is very low-traffic for the most part, and pretty much all people walking.)

3. How much is it to use a slightly above average carpet instead of wood/Pergo?

4. If I wanted to buy a big rug with a company logo on it (like 12'x12', and a comfy indoor rug and not a welcome mat), where's my best deal on that? (And do you want to give me a bid?)

1) A lot depends on labor costs in your market and how it would be installed - nailed, glued or floated. So this is vague but the range might be $5-$10 per s/f.

2) Do you own or lease the space? Wood is usually more expensive than laminate but if it's a space you own you'll be adding value. Laminates might range from about $4-$8. laminates designed for commercial use would be a little more but might not be necessary if the area is light to moderate traffic.

3) A mid to high-mid commercial carpet completely installed would be probably $2.50-$3.00 s/f. Low end stuff could be found for under $2.00. If you want it to last buy a nylon product, if you want it more temporary buy a polypropylene.

4) Sorry, no clue, but I do know people who do such things.


In commercial work, prices often vary depending on who is moving furniture and equipment, whether night and weekend work is required and generally how much of a PITA the job will be. Making the work easier will save you $$.

As always, I advise to Support Your Local Flooring dealer. They'll usually give you better value and better service than the home centers.

Offer not valid in Puerto Rico.

Hope this helps.

Concrete or wood subfloor?


I am thinking a raw distressed wood with Lobasol oil. In a commercial enviroment the dings and scratches will blend with the distessed wood and the Lobasol oil can be blended to touch up worn areas.


9-15/foot for material and install depending on your wood species. Laminate will hold up better then a pre-finished wood floor in a commercial enviroment, but it looks fake in comparison.

I'm thinking he's on concrete/gypcrete.

Do you like to glue down 3/4" solids? Some of the adhesive manufacturers say they will warranty but I can't get past my skepticism.

Engineered all the way.


3/4" Solid moves to much for me to feel safe putting in on concrete over a large area, especially if it is wide planks, hickory, etc. Concrete is almost always bleeding some moisture, and even though Denver is fairly consistant in humidity, it would still keep me up at night.

I agree. I was curious if I was maybe just being stubborn.

Nope, you are being safe and smart.


Most reps rarely use the products they push, so the information is usually skewed (No offense ;)).


I've heard some good ones before.

No offense taken. I'm the type of salesman who informs more than pushes. The solid vs engineered topic is one that I deal with frequently. Here in New Mexico we have a dry climate and usually go over concrete. I know I lose some sales by advising against solid woods but better that than to go back and replace them later.

Hey, I think we've hijacked Rain Man's thread.

Thanks, fellas.

It's a space we're considering leasing, and we'd be in for about five years. The layout of the space is that there's an enormous front room/lobby that's got a kitchen area in it, and we're leaning against carpeting for that reason. We want something nice that will pop when visitors walk in, but I was afraid of the cost of hardwood, which is being suggested.

It's in a downtown high-rise, so I suspect it's a concrete floor.

Are the costs you're estimating counting installation, or is that separate?

Many thanks for the input, too.

And what about bamboo? Is bamboo a viable option?

I think we were both talking installed prices, though I should mention that labor prices vary between markets.

I sell a lot of bamboo. If you use bamboo I would suggest a strand woven product glued to the concrete. But I would also tell you that if you talked to 10 different flooring people you'd probably get 10 different opinions about bamboo.

Would your office decor work well with bamboo?

Kevin, Here's a floor I did at my house last year for $.72 a square foot. No flooring installer would like it but it looks interesting and contemporary to me but maybe you are looking for more traditional.

Are those square holes in the floor?

Yes

I'll bite.

Are those holes for ice fishing? ever changing volleyball standards? cool "see the downstairs" windows?