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Elliott
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2011
Posts: 148
Location: Santa Monica
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 Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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Here are some pics from my install in hopes that they can help some other folks going through this process.
Note, we removed the rear bench, but not the kitchen cabinetry. In order to get the existing floor out from under the kitchen cabinetry, first we sawed it in half, but eventually found we were able to tug it out when we pulled the vinyl layer off the wood. It gave us more wiggle room to work with as the existing subfloor goes about half an inch under the cabinets but there are nails holding it in place that need to be worked loose.
After removing the existing flooring we laid down reflectix insulation, cutting strips to put in the grooves, then a Silicon Vaper Shield on top of that, then a thin subfloor. I believe it was 1/16".
Through some very meticulous and careful measuring, we were able to locate the holes where the original floor was screwed in, and drilled the subfloor into these same holes.
Then we glue the hardwood to the subfloor.
Including a few shots of the brackets we had to remove to get the bench seat out. This step wasn't as painful as I feared it might be just took some time, and took lots of photos to make sure we were able to match every screw and bracket back up to where it came from.
We also only installed the new flooring about an inch or two past the edge of the bench seat which is where the original flooring was.
And I'd purchased 2 boxes of wood 20sq ft per box, but only ended up needing one. Though might be best to get two in case you want to mix and match pieces. This is the wood we used.
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12998
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Elliott
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2011
Posts: 148
Location: Santa Monica
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| Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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After years of watching this thread, finally joined the club this weekend!
I took a bunch of photos throughout and will post with notes to help answer some of the questions I had before going through this for others when I have a moment. |
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Elliott
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2011
Posts: 148
Location: Santa Monica
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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That's helpful...thanks for that.
As for alternatives to plywood subfloor, anyone have any pointers on pros and cons of cork vs rubber (the other two alternatives I seem to have seen browsing the forums). |
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dougass
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2016
Posts: 278
Location: NJ
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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| elliottlemberger wrote: |
Been watching this thread literally for years, and excited to finally be putting a wood floor in my 87 Westie next weekend with the help of a handy friend 
Some things still aren't clear though...
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I think there is quite the range... from little prep/planning to a deliberate plan with sound deadening, insulation, specific geometry, etc.
If you want to keep it simple, prep the floor and put down a few plants to see how strong it is by itself. If there is too much flex, you need to build up the sub floor. If not, maybe consider insulation and you’re done. My planks were a bit thinner so I was more concerned with sub floor.
My experience is that I could have done less, or rather, differently with the same results. Anyway, here are some pointers that address most of your comments:
-Strips of insulation or sound deadening will also reduce flex in sub floor. I used an insulated underlayment across the entire metal floor.
-sub floor of plywood is popular, i wonder how it holds up in 5 years with moisture, so would consider alternates here. I used the thinnest backer board I could find and I am embarrassed to think of the unnecessary weight... the idea was to avoid plywood with a mold-resistant material. Don’t know the best solution, it all sounds heavy and I am probably overthinking it.
-for me, all 4 layers are floating (insulation, sub floor, underlayment, planks)
-floating cont...I have room for expansion lengthwise under the rear bench, and trim on the other 3 edges to clean up the ends.
-Strongly suggest removing the rear bench, not sure about the Westy kitchen (I have a ton too, so no direct experience)
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CptRon
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2015
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got wood? |
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| montanasurfer wrote: |
| avernon82 wrote: |
I got wood!
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Hey!
How did you do the headliner? What thickness of plywood did you use and did you need to do any steam bending to get it to work?
Thanks, |
I'm also interested.
I might try to do this next |
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bobblebeauty
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 6
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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Cedar fence boards finished with beeswax
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1983.5 WBX 1.9 Pop Top Westy |
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Elliott
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2011
Posts: 148
Location: Santa Monica
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| Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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Been watching this thread literally for years, and excited to finally be putting a wood floor in my 87 Westie next weekend with the help of a handy friend
Some things still aren't clear though...
First, it seems like a lot of folks put insulation strips in the grooves in the body under the floor. Is that standard practice, and recommended?
Do folks typically add a subfloor on top of this? Looks like valvecovergasket used plywood. Does that work out ok in hot climates? (I'm in Southern California). Are there other recommendations? And if subfloor, how thick? I'm guessing it would have to be pretty thin, around 1/4". We're installing an engineered hardwood that is 3/8". Are there other subfloors folks use besides plywood that work well? ezmass looks like some kind of corkboard.
If you use a subfloor, do you attach the subfloor and then just float the flooring on top? And what do you use to attach it? I'm thinking glue might not be best due to varying weather conditions in a bus. So do you repurpose the holes from the original flooring and screw in the subfloor? Do you glue the flooring to the subfloor?
Thanks in advance for any advice! |
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tjet
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 2724
Location: CT-CA-NM
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:32 am Post subject: |
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| dobryan wrote: |
I was asked by a sambanite to post how I did the pergo on top of the seat tracks. These pics explain what I did. Basically I made it so I could remove the center section and expose the seat tracks for when I install the single or double seat. The pergo is laid directly on the stock grey floor. The outer two sections are held in place by one flush screw each.
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I like how you did the hidden removable panel to expose the seat tracks.
Great idea
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rusty lifted '87 locker syncro tintop |
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tjet
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 2724
Location: CT-CA-NM
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 4:17 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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valvecovergasket - that's really nice. It looks bright in there. Is it from the camera flash, or do you have led lights on the ceiling?
I want to do something similar, but put a heater where you have your cooler.
Thanks
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rusty lifted '87 locker syncro tintop |
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valvecovergasket
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018
Posts: 714
Location: pnw
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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ooh i really like the darker tint of that!
ill throw ours in for posterity
i wanted to float it, but it needed a little bit of screw assistance to really fit perfect, and ended up mounting the fridge slide in through it anyway.
it was a single box of cheap pergo.
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'83 tdi westy - swap thread |
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ezmass
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2019
Posts: 10
Location: Huntington Beach
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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Installed my wood floor last weekend. I needed 2 x 24sqft boxes (well, 1 box + about 1 plank) for weekender/multivan passenger area. Product is TrafficMaster Teak Luxury Vinyl Plank from HD. Replaced my rear heater core & valve and installed sound dampening while I had the bench out. Turned out nice, kid loves the new "dance floor"
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1990 Multivan 2.1L Auto |
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tjet
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 2724
Location: CT-CA-NM
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 4:42 am Post subject: |
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| Van-go108 wrote: |
I really should take some new shots. |
I want to do something like this above and below, but I have a couple of questions...
I plan on doing a wood sidewall on the left hand side, along with a panel just aft of the seats like the bay above.
1. Do I do the floor first, then the left side wall? Or should I do the sidewall first?
2. I'd like to use a nice plywood for it. What type and thickness would you recommend?
Thx
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rusty lifted '87 locker syncro tintop |
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SurfaceRust
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2016
Posts: 132
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2018 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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Installed this today
Cost $35 for the wood and calk from HD
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WestfaliaMike
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2017
Posts: 257
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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| joetiger wrote: |
| MichaelCampingInVA wrote: |
Did mine...
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Now that is cool. I dig the log cabin/sauna vibe. I wish Westfalia would have continued longer with the wood veneer finish, or at least made it an option for later vans. |
Thanks joe, I'm pretty happy with it..
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1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 4224
Location: denver
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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| MichaelCampingInVA wrote: |
Did mine...
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Now that is cool. I dig the log cabin/sauna vibe. I wish Westfalia would have continued longer with the wood veneer finish, or at least made it an option for later vans.
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Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0
'85 928S
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"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 2867
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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| photogdave wrote: |
| Disappointed with the title change. Clearly this thread is about more than floors. |
Yeah I agree. I thought original thread name was pretty funny 
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - 1983.5 Ivory Westfalia 1.9L 2wd |
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WestfaliaMike
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2017
Posts: 257
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Who's got a wood floor? |
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Did mine...
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI |
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photogdave
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Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 2863
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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montanasurfer
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2014
Posts: 72
Location: United States
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Who's got wood? |
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| avernon82 wrote: |
I got wood!
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Hey!
How did you do the headliner? What thickness of plywood did you use and did you need to do any steam bending to get it to work?
Thanks, |
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