Brick and wood flooring - DIY Chatroom

jhughesfam · 08-18-2007, 04:24 PM

I have seen some pictures of brick flooring with wood trim. The wood forms rectangular fields that are filled in with brick. It appears that the wood used in the photos I've seen is 6" wide oak.

Doing the brick portion doesn't concern me; I'll just use "thin bricks" and adhere with thinset. But I don't know how to incorporate the wood. I will be installing it on concrete slab. How do I attach the wood to the slab? I was also cautioned to allow room for expansion of the wood, but I assumed that I would grout between the bricks. How do I leave for the expansion if I'm grouting between the bricks and wood?

I'm assuming that I will leave the wood unprotected while grouting and then sand it down and apply a sealer to both the wood and bricks upon completion. Or is that an incorrect assumption?

Any thoughts or suggestions as to how to proceed? Thanks.

JazMan · 08-18-2007, 05:29 PM

I've seen two such floors, and I was there to repair both. I don't think much of this look or type of installation. You've got one item that could last 50 years, and the other will need refinishing in 8-10 years. Then what?

Your choice for the wood is engineered pre-finished hardwood, glued to the concrete. As you said you'd thinset the bricks, and yes you'll need to leave a gap between the two and use a caulk at the wood/brick joint.

Instead of using wood, why not use porcelain tile planks that look like wood and even a porcelain that looks like brick or stone instead of the hard to maintain thin bricks?