"Joe" wrote in message
...


The Forest Products Laboratory in Madison WI has long been known
as
the best source of info on the behavior of various wood
products.
Contact them for info. Not easy, but worth it.
Meanwhile, if you can force yourself to consider something less
faddish and fashionable, and if your family budget and health
matters,
there are some fine vinyl sheet flooring materials in realistic
wood
patterns that would eliminate all of your problems from the
gitgo.
Locally we have seen this in several commercial locations and
even a
recent remodeling job in a hospital. In a home environment it
eliminates all the tedium of pet disasters and outwears the best
wood
finishes that suffer from doggie toenails and high traffic. At
the
moment it is high on my list for a forthcoming remodel.
Something to think about.

Joe

This is purely anecdotal, but something to check out before going
with an engineered "Pergo"-type floor. Our cabin on Mt.
Charleston was at about 8000' altitude. The flooring on both
levels was a mixture of the Pergo-type flooring and carpet.
During the time we owned it, there was quite a bit of foot traffic
in and out of a lower level doorway, onto a deck that held our hot
tub. Being in a mountainous area, there was lots of snow, rain
and ice. Despite typical precautions, such as throw rugs, and
wiping up, moisture was brought in onto the flooring from wet
feet, fresh from the hot tub, snow and rain.

At first, the flooring held up well, but then we began to notice
swelling at the joints. It was not the type of swelling seen in
real wood flooring, but the particle board backing actually
expanding and coming unglued.

We brought the damage to a halt by purchasing an industrial
walk-off mat from Home Depot. It was 4' X 5', approximately and
had a solid rubber back that was completely water resistant, with
a fleece-like top surface. When there would be a known incident
of water coming in, I'd even move the mat to be sure nothing was
trapped beneath it, but the size essentially prevented that. It
was sure not very pretty, but about the only way I could prevent
the Pergo-like flooring from coming apart.

If I was installing it now, with knowledge of what happened at the
cabin, at least the pieces near the doorway would get a coat of
waterproofing on the tongues, grooves and back, such as Varathane.


--
Nonny

ELOQUIDIOT (n) A highly educated, sophisticated,
and articulate person who has absolutely no clue
concerning what they are talking about.
The person is typically a media commentator or politician.