wickes oak hardwood flooring with clamps,anygood?

[prw123]

Hi,
anybody tried this metal clamping method that wickes is selling
1)What do you think about it.
2)Will the metal clips cause any problems, i guess they will stretch when the wood expands and contracts to prevent any gaps appearing. Is this better than glue on a floating floor?

http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/158018

 

[WoodYouLike]

Always wonder what you have to pay for those clips anyway (the product page doesn't mention it, they never do).
Junkers floors are famous for their clip-system and is so far as we know the only one that doesn't cause problems when installing. All other brands (or non-brands) have tried to jump on the bandwagon but are a disaster when you use them: clips fall out the minute you turn the board, when the floor expands the clips just 'expand' with it and refuse to 'shrink' back when the floor settles again: leaving you with gaps that don't disappear.

Simple floating method: glueing the T&G, has proven its worth for decades now, nothing wrong with that. (as long as everyone remembers that wood is wood: works and adepts to its surroundings: low air-humidity = shrinking, higher humidity: gaps disappear again (or if you're unlucky or didn't leave wide enough expansion gaps buckles the boards)

Also remember: you get what you pay for But when you buy such a floor and the manufacturer recommends using clips you'll have to use them otherwise your guarantee goes straight out of the window!

 

[prw123]

Cheers wood you like,
The clips are £14.99 for 100.
I tried it out in store when no-one was looking. Clips not that strong, did'nt really pull both ends togther. I imagine if planks are not dead straight it would not pull in enough, but for £24.74/m2 very good price.
Im thinking of B+Q solid oak 110mm @£35/m2 glued on DPM and 7mm underlay boards on concrete. You can mix the widths of planks together, but in my hall i think there will be alot of 1 type or another left over
I think the single planks with bevelled edges look best. The planks with 2 or more strips look too much like laminate.