Markit
I'm gonna put down a coconut wooden floor and wondered if anyone has experience with wood flooring here? I'm not gonna buy the store made stuff for an idiotic IDR 500k/sq meter but am using actual wood split into thinner (1cm +/-). Not kiln dried or any other thing - just split and sanded. It's supposed to look Balinese so a little "rough" is ok.Amongst other questions, does anyone know how to attach it to the underlying plywood? They don't seem to have headless nails here so have developed a "squish the head" of a normal nail and bang it the feck in technique, which leaves a lot to be desired and when it starts to oxidize it leaves a nasty black mark. How about gluing?
sakumabali
I do. I built some villas in 2007 with 90 % coconut flooring and 10 % teak flooring (on the beach if that matter) - was much cheaper than teak. wanted to sell them quickly but however took me 3 years (location etc) - my constructor warned me that coconut wouldn't be that good for flooring....3 year later I walked in the house and literally broke in as some insects ate it up from inside (teak was ok)
Markit
Sesse (coconut) has to be treated for bugs otherwise they just love it. I use an expensive European anti-termite from 3M so they really shouldn't be a problem. As PSW I've already used Sesse in a number of columns and other areas so have a little experience with same, just not as flooring. As it will be on the second floor I'm also concerned about sound proofing so will be putting down joists ever 50cm then overlaying with Bedeg (bamboo woven matting) and then 2cm of plywood and then last but not least the Sesse floor boards. Anyone know of using polystyrene between ply and flooring? Any other options?All my other wood I tread 4/6/12 monthly depending upon where it is - so far the only termites I've had were in/on bamboo furniture that I bought. Thanks in advance.
Markit
Finished the coconut flooring about 8 months ago and thought I'd advise that it worked out really well as flooring. I've had my local builders source and put it in and I think all in all material costs were around 2 million for a 6 x 9 meter floor. I used 20 x 10 cm on 50cm joists and treated the sesse with 3M termite killer and then several coats of a good lacquer. As an added protection I've glued tire rubber cut-outs on the legs of all furniture in the room and that seems to have protected the surface from scratching too. Thanks for your advise.
sakumabali
sounds great but 8 months is not an eternity ;)
Markit
sounds great but 8 months is not an eternity ;)[/QUOTE]True, it's not even a baby.
Nydave
I would never have imagined coconut wood as being an ideal wood for flooring,most of what I have seen was infested with insects,however the fact you used some preservative on it might just do the job,i have been in the wood business all my life and I love the look of coconut wood ,so will be interesting to know if it lasts,do keep us informed,
Markit
I'll put some pix up tomorrow if I remember. It's a heavy wood but surprisingly not that hard. My guys know their coconut and sometimes even the particular tree. They were able to tell me which ones to chop and how old they were vis a vie strength and it seems to have been ok. I love the patina on the wood and was happy to use something local that isn't a jungle hardwood like teak, bankiri or merbau. We also used it for hand railing.
Steve Rossell
Howdy Markit!I'm interested to find out if a treatment of the coconut wood similar to that of the borax treatment used in some quarters for bamboo might be worth investigating.I know that there are cheaper alternative treatments such as those we talked about last time we met up.Thanx again for that dinner invite. Enjoyed it immensely. I never got out of 3rd gear on the way back to my digs.:D
Markit
Steve I suspect Borax would not do your wood any good and in fact isn't necessary. The only termites I've had here came in with some bamboo furniture that I bought in Bone by Gianyar - no matter what I do I can't kill the little feckers but they seem to stay happily in the couches and chairs. Not surprised with your monster bike - 4th gear you'd be by 200kmh
