Raintree Waterproofed Wood Flooring

5 years ago

I’m thinking of installing Raintree Nashville Scene/Hermitage throughout the first floor of our 120 year old home in northern Michigan (we get big temperature extremes). I was originally thinking of LVP, but I can’t find one that looks good with the reddish/brown dark quarter-sawn oak trim throughout the first floor. And I really dislike the big bevel that is all the rage now. I like the idea of a wood floor without the hassle of a wood floor, which is what Raintree seems to promise.

I’m worried about longevity and wear. It only has a 1.5mm sliced wood veneer on top of the rigid composite core. I read through the warranty, which says lifetime but appears to be 10 years. I’m concerned about leaving our home during the winter and the potential of the house getting below 50 degrees. I’m concerned about wear and tear and not being able to refinish it.

Should we stick with LVP? Go with a more traditional engineer hardwood? Go with Raintree? Any advice would be appreciated.

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jestermom

5 years ago

@MJ Meyerson I'm heavily leaning toward Raintree as well in my new build in Houston (actually building 2 homes side by side). Solid wood is out for me, so I have been exclusively researching engineered flooring. There are so many wonderful choices out there, you could seriously spend weeks and months and years researching them all!! But, when I stumbled upon another Raintree thread here on Houzz which had nearly 200 comments and not a single negative review among them, I was motivated to send off for samples. I have since received a number of their samples and like them as much or more than samples from other companies whose product is more expensive. I like that it is real wood, and that it is waterproof (although, I'm w/ Patricia on this, I don't know that I totally believe in the concept of waterproof wood, but I figure it's at least water resistant). And that works for my needs (empty nester, no kids at home, 1 large dog). I also like the price point very much!! :) My only concern, really, is potential resale, or that a buyer might see it & think it is luxury vinyl. I am a local realtor and routinely see homes in the 1-2M+ range now that have engineered wood floors. It didn't use to be that way. All the higher end homes used to have solid wood floors. But more and more I am seeing luxury new construction or resale above 1M with engineered flooring. Our climate here is more conducive to engineered, and I think the trend toward wider planks really sealed the deal on that. So I am ok if a buyer were to think it was engineered flooring, but I'm a little concerned that they might equivocate the waterproof feature w/ it being a vinyl floor. So, I will keep you posted and you please do the same. Good luck!

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Comments (8)

MJ Meyerson
Original Author
5 years ago
The current front runner for LVP is Viking Lakeshore SPC in St. Joseph. Any feedback on that would be appreciated as well.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
IMO there is no such thing as waterproof flooring and if you want hardwood go solid hardwood if refinishing is something you might do. I have old school vinyl plank in my walk out basement 3 huge dogs in and out of a dog run through a doggie door. They are in and out in all kinds of weather the floor sometimes looks pretty bad if we have had a down pour at the end of the day i swiffer or vacuum and if needed damp mop. Those floors are 13 yrs old and when damp mopped look like new. BTW they were the type that was layed with a sticky strip that joined each plank to t he next and in a flood you can actually roll it up clean up the water and roll it back down It is called Allure it was from HD and very afforadble. IMO a good solid hardwood site finished is the way to go if you want wood. As for temp changes wood does expand and contract that is its nature .
MJ Meyerson thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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Mary Wehking
5 years ago
MJ Meyerson, I was wondering if you installed the Raintree Nashville Hermitage? If so, are you happy with it? Do you have pics ? I am also considering it for a new home we are hoping to start on in late fall. I just can't find an LVP that I like & I can't really afford solid HW. I love the warmth that the Hermitage has, yet it doesn't have that orange look that so many of the 'warm' LVP's have. Thanks in advance!
Dina
4 years ago
I'd also appreciate updates from anyone who has installed Raintree. Regarding the waterproofing. The rep explained to me that the warranty states that the wood can be exposed to water for up to 72 hours without damage. In the case of a flood, the planks should be removed to dry out and then reinstalled. She said that's the same for LVP.
K Ng
4 years ago
I also curious how well raintree has worked for you. The other thread now has numerous negative reviews but I want to think it’s just a blip.
smile4me422
4 years ago
Did you ever choose MJ? What did you go with?
MJ Meyerson
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Well, turns out because our house is 120 years old, the floors are too uneven for any kind of locking plank floating floor. We would have to take up ALL of the old flooring, and the original subfloor (beautiful thin maple strips, but sadly glued upon), and start from scratch with a new subfloor. So we would be $20 or 30k in before we even bought the new flooring. Still love the product for new (or at least newer) construction though.