Garrison Hardwood Floors?
#1
08-09-08, 07:50 AM
Garrison Hardwood Floors?
Hello, I am getting ready to start on a remodel project in the Los Angeles area. One of the contractors who is bidding is suggesting Garrison hardwood floors as "bang for the buck" hardwood floor choice. I am looking at doing a 5" brazilian cherry througout the house.
Has anyone used it? Have any experience with it? Have any other suggestions? Thanks for the input!
Has anyone used it? Have any experience with it? Have any other suggestions? Thanks for the input!
#2
08-12-08, 07:38 AM
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QUESTIONS:
1- How big of an area are you talking about?
2- What type of sub floor do you have? Is it Particle Board, Plywood or Advantech?
3- Do you have a budget that you are working with? I ask this because most of the time an installer is pushing a particular product - it means that it is being discontinued or their distributor is simply running a sale on it. It is always a good idea to purchase flooring that has a reputation of having "been around for awhile" and will BE AROUND for awhile!
3- What particular species is the installer suggesting, if any? Garrison has many Grades and choices... There is one line, called "contractor grade" *I do not recommend this grade, ever! Unless it is going into a commercial rental unit or something like that. Or if you are on a VERY LOW budget. Contractor grade flooring is the flooring that does not necessarily meet certain dimensional specs or finish specs, and you need to order 7%-10% extra for this allowance.
4- Have you looked at any Garrison Floors this particular installer has installed? Or at least called on some references of places where he has installed this flooring?
5-Garrison does make a quality product - but I suggest staying away from the "Contractor Grade"!! They have been doing flooring since the 1950's... so they are doing something right. I have installed quite a few of their "higher end" flooring and had no difficulty installing it, and never had a "call back" years after the install. *Spend a few more dollars and go with a higher grade!! The 5" plank 9/16" laminate Garrison Brazillian Cherry is a great floor - but be aware that the Brazilian Cherry will show sun burn marks more so than other species (like if you had a rug in one area for a few months and then moved it - you would see that the rest of the floor Darkened around the rug... You can avoid this by moving rugs around - if you even plan on putting any down that is. Not sure if you looked at the Garrison Website or not, but here is the link: http://www.thegarrisoncollection.com...tion/main.html
6- Are you talking about distressed or smooth surface flooring? If you are talking about distressed, (great antique looking floor!) you are talking about more money!
Will wait to hear back from you with some answers to better serve you with a useful reply.
Greg -Retired Hardwood Installer/Refinisher
Maine
1- How big of an area are you talking about?
2- What type of sub floor do you have? Is it Particle Board, Plywood or Advantech?
3- Do you have a budget that you are working with? I ask this because most of the time an installer is pushing a particular product - it means that it is being discontinued or their distributor is simply running a sale on it. It is always a good idea to purchase flooring that has a reputation of having "been around for awhile" and will BE AROUND for awhile!
3- What particular species is the installer suggesting, if any? Garrison has many Grades and choices... There is one line, called "contractor grade" *I do not recommend this grade, ever! Unless it is going into a commercial rental unit or something like that. Or if you are on a VERY LOW budget. Contractor grade flooring is the flooring that does not necessarily meet certain dimensional specs or finish specs, and you need to order 7%-10% extra for this allowance.
4- Have you looked at any Garrison Floors this particular installer has installed? Or at least called on some references of places where he has installed this flooring?
5-Garrison does make a quality product - but I suggest staying away from the "Contractor Grade"!! They have been doing flooring since the 1950's... so they are doing something right. I have installed quite a few of their "higher end" flooring and had no difficulty installing it, and never had a "call back" years after the install. *Spend a few more dollars and go with a higher grade!! The 5" plank 9/16" laminate Garrison Brazillian Cherry is a great floor - but be aware that the Brazilian Cherry will show sun burn marks more so than other species (like if you had a rug in one area for a few months and then moved it - you would see that the rest of the floor Darkened around the rug... You can avoid this by moving rugs around - if you even plan on putting any down that is. Not sure if you looked at the Garrison Website or not, but here is the link: http://www.thegarrisoncollection.com...tion/main.html
6- Are you talking about distressed or smooth surface flooring? If you are talking about distressed, (great antique looking floor!) you are talking about more money!
Will wait to hear back from you with some answers to better serve you with a useful reply.
Greg -Retired Hardwood Installer/Refinisher
Maine
#3
08-12-08, 09:58 PM
Hi Greg, it is about 1300-1500 sq. feet of new floor (depends on whether I do the kitchen/mud room), slab on grade. Yes, I have a budget, and its beyond contractor grade wood (e.g. B-111 or Mirage is my upper end). The installer is a general contractor, not a flooring contractor, so he is not trying to "sell stock". He will get me any floor I want at his cost, but he has used this in several homes he has worked on, including remodel flips, and he likes it, and admits that some of their products are better than others, and he would not do the "contractors grade" product. I have seen some photos of some of the distressed wood floors he has done. I personally wouldn't go with distressed wood for this project because: 1) its a 50s ranch style house with traditional elements and 2) I want something that can be refinished. Thanks!
#4
08-21-08, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by mbh65
Hi Greg, it is about 1300-1500 sq. feet of new floor (depends on whether I do the kitchen/mud room), slab on grade. Yes, I have a budget, and its beyond contractor grade wood (e.g. B-111 or Mirage is my upper end). The installer is a general contractor, not a flooring contractor, so he is not trying to "sell stock". He will get me any floor I want at his cost, but he has used this in several homes he has worked on, including remodel flips, and he likes it, and admits that some of their products are better than others, and he would not do the "contractors grade" product. I have seen some photos of some of the distressed wood floors he has done. I personally wouldn't go with distressed wood for this project because: 1) its a 50s ranch style house with traditional elements and 2) I want something that can be refinished. Thanks!
http://www.hoskinghardwood.com/
The Owner's name is Jeff Hosking and he has been in the hardwood flooring installation/sanding/refinishing and now selling business for years. He is part of 2nd generation of hardwood flooring family! Tell Jeff I sent you to him, he will take great care of you.
In answer to what I think about Scandian flooring... Great Company with dedication to upgrading equipment regularly. They offer a top line product.
Greg - Retired Hardwood Installer/refinisher
Maine
Greg
Damariscotta, Maine
