Lockport , NY · Member since 2014 · 265 posts · 124 votes
I have seen people using Plywood for cheap hardwood floor options on Pintrest. Has anyone done this? seems like a lot of work to rip all the planks, but some are getting gorgeous results for a fraction of the costs.
Don't reinvent the wheel. This sounds like a huge Pinterest fail in my mind. I see issues with the edging and durability. Unless you glue the plywood down you will see all the screw locations.
In order to get a higher grade ply which you would want, a: so it lays relatively flat. B. so it is more stable you are going to spend anywhere from $40 to $ 60 dollars. At $50 that puts you at $1.50 a sq foot. Then you need to purchase the splines or make them and then there is the finish. The labor alone to manufacture your own flooring, who knows, I guess it depends on how good you are and if you have all the equipment and time.
I just installed a oak solid wood prefinished floor for $2.25 a sq foot.
I feel time is better spent looking for a closeout, or looking on craigs list until you find what you want.
Don't reinvent the wheel. This sounds like a huge Pinterest fail in my mind. I see issues with the edging and durability. Unless you glue the plywood down you will see all the screw locations.
Real hardwood floors (and the vinyl snap together stuff) all is tongue and groove so it holds together and the top edges are even. It also gives the installer a place to nail the boards down (inside the mated edges so there's no fasteners showing. How would that ever be accomplished with a table saw? Also, plywood is usually full of knots.
Sounds like an inefficient waste of time for a worse outcome.
Get some real prefinished hardwood for $2/sqft, buy a chopsaw and rent a nailer for $50.