Hi Chaps - apologies for not being around much recently, a change in job at work and then breaking my leg and being in plaster for 6 weeks means I haven't had much chance for woodwork in quite some time Good news is that I am now hobbling about without crutches albeit with a plate, 9 pins and 2 big screws in my leg!
Starting off on a small job then, I have the summer to re-wire, board out and re-floor our local Scout hall. Not a paying job (I am one of the Scout leaders) and costs are obviously required to be as low as possible. Looking at flooring options, P5 Cabrefloor from Wickes (and other places) seems ideal - green colour will be perfect needing just a floor varnish over the top and expansion gaps are minimal according to the Norboard manufacturers website meaning I can glue the tongues and hide the expansion under new skirting. However:
the flooring has 'this side up' printed on every board Clearly not meant to be used as a final surface then. Does anyone know why this has to be laid with that face up? It is green on both sides and would be perfect without the writing on it. I therefore want to lay it the wrong way up and cannot see a major problem with this - just wondered if anyone else could. Some important info:
Wickes cannot tell me why it is labelled like this
It is described as moisture resistant - I do not need this requirement, buying for colour/price really
It is going onto an existing solid floor of chipboard (not onto rafters)
Area is approx 10m x 6m
Floor will be varnished for protection
If anyone has a cheaper or better flooring option for this size room please let me know. Laminate expands too much and can be slippery, parquet is too expensive, ditto lino, tiles are too hard, carpet tiles are just yuck (and will still require a new subfloor) and plain chipboard eg loft panels while fine, are no cheaper than P5 really and the colour is not ideal. This is a Scout hall remember, so floor needs to be hard wearing, cleanable and layable by me rather than a specialist.
Any help appreciated on this - although I would like to take it slowly, it will need to be finished by end August so time is pressing.
Cheers,
Steve