Hardwood Floor Denting

[1990C4S]

I have a female friend who is 'sure' that she can't put a marble table in her family room. She is fanatical about her floors, and she is positive that the table will 'dent' the floor.

It doesn't help that the nitwit who sells the marble told her the same thing.

So, as the engineer I have to giver her numbers 'prove' I am right. (And I am right, or will be).

Table weight is about 250 lbs. I can modify the feet to be a 'reasonable' size, and I am pretty sure 75 lbs/square inch will not dent the floor. The table has four legs and I can make some marble or aluminum feet to increase the surface area.

Anyone know a safe load number for not marking the floor? I would think this a common aquarium problem, but Google isn't helping me.

[kanadary]

you are correct if you increase the area of contact. tell her that her fmp's probably produce more force than the slab of marble would.

[Zeke]

You can run the calcs better than I, but I agree with you. 1.5 to 2" round pads with felt, cork or rubber on the bottom and 250 pounds is nothing. I have several heavy pieces of furniture on hardwood including a baby grand that sits in those little plastic cups. (500 lbs.)

Now moving or bumping things around can be a different matter. For this reason, I suggest she get a small area rug. The table will dent the rug most likely permanently. I've had this happen too.

When I move my piano, I place folded towels several layers deep under the casters. It scoots along fine and doesn't tear up the floor. If I was even smarter, I would dish out some plywood and set 12 x 12 squares under the legs and over the towels.

That was just some info for others considering heavy objects on wood floors.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by kanadary

you are correct if you increase the area of contact. tell her that her fmp's probably produce more force than the slab of marble would.

They are banned from that area. She wears them, but not on the hardwood.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I suggest she get a small area rug.

Good idea.

[jyl]

Janka hardness chart.

And another

http://www.coastalwfs.com/resources.html

[gshase]

If she wears any high heals she has put more psi/si than that table will put on the floor. 1/4" high heal x 135 lbs= 2160 lbs/si

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by gshase

If she wears any high heals she has put more psi/si than that table will put on the floor. 1/4" high heal x 135 lbs= 2160 lbs/si

That's what fmp's are in #2 above....and she does wear those, but not on the hardwood.

[oldE]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

They are banned from that area. She wears them, but not on the hardwood.

I really don't understand the rational behind a floor you can't walk on.

Simple 2"x2" pads under each leg will bring the average #/sq" down to ~ 15.

Best
Les

[azasadny]

We have a baby grand piano on our 70-some year old oak hardwood floors with no denting. Why do you think they call it "hardwood" (tell her that)!

[island911]

before you answer the engineering problem you must first answer this:

If a man says something in the woods, and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong...

[rnln]

I doubt that there are much things to dent the hard wood. She can scratch it, yes. Beside, the marble table will be there almost permanently, how can anyone see if it's dent, include her?

If you wear steel heal, you better not sratching my new wood, but you should leave any kind of shoes outside anyway. I never understand the idea of wearing shoes everywhere (probably stepping on dog's poop too), then get home and walk the same pair of shoes everywhere in the house, where you and others will lay and roll on there.

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I have a female friend who is 'sure' that she can't put a marble table in her family room. She is fanatical about her floors, and she is positive that the table will 'dent' the floor.

It doesn't help that the nitwit who sells the marble told her the same thing.

So, as the engineer I have to giver her numbers 'prove' I am right. (And I am right, or will be).

Table weight is about 250 lbs. I can modify the feet to be a 'reasonable' size, and I am pretty sure 75 lbs/square inch will not dent the floor. The table has four legs and I can make some marble or aluminum feet to increase the surface area.

Anyone know a safe load number for not marking the floor? I would think this a common aquarium problem, but Google isn't helping me.

This is a female deal. If I wuz' you, I'd quit while I wuz' ahead. This is a classic example of a "no-win" situation. I'm telling you, somethings gonna' happen. They'll drop the table or drag it or something. You'll never hear the end of it.

[targa911S]

he's right....

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by 944Larry

This is a female deal. If I wuz' you, I'd quit while I wuz' ahead. This is a classic example of a "no-win" situation. I'm telling you, somethings gonna' happen. They'll drop the table or drag it or something. You'll never hear the end of it.

this +100

[A930Rocket]

It's amazing what high heels can do. Everyone of our model home floors looked like a battle field when we converted them back to homes. Instead of just screening and coating, they had to be sanded and coated.

[1990C4S]

Advice taken. Heading to Ikea. But in my head I know I was right!

[afterburn 549]

This is a good example of a bad example
Her the man is trying to deal with logic . It is the test to to see if she is a drama queen and a emotional night mare.
She gets the prize on both accounts.
Just run , because in the end you will be at fault for something to everything

[dennis in se pa]

I never successfully argued logic with a female.

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Advice taken. Heading to Ikea. But in my head I know I was right!

And we ALL know you're right. It's just not worth you taking it on the nose. Do what I do, take the safe way out and let somebody else make the decision. If it then goes amuck, you're safe!