noise on new hardwood floor
#1
09-28-04, 09:48 AM
noise on new hardwood floor
We installed hardwood floor 3 weeks ago. The sub-floor is OSB. It is quite level, so we didn’t put a layer of plywood on the OSB. We put wax paper and lay hardwood on top of wax paper. We have not used the room much since the floor was finished, because the baseboard was still outstanding. In the evening (after work), we walk around the room and the HW floor has light cracking noise initially. Then the sound disappear after 1-2 minutes of walking on the floor.
What is that sound?
Can it be an indication of installation problem or is it normal for the floor to settle?
Note:
The room is right above the basement. The basement temperature is certainly a bit lower.
In the morning, the sun goes into the room and may warm-up the HW floor.
What is that sound?
Can it be an indication of installation problem or is it normal for the floor to settle?
Note:
The room is right above the basement. The basement temperature is certainly a bit lower.
In the morning, the sun goes into the room and may warm-up the HW floor.
#2
09-28-04, 09:58 PM
Wax paper?
What do you mean 'wax paper'?
Wax paper is never used beneath hardwood floors in my experience. This could be your problem.
Where do you live?
Wax paper is never used beneath hardwood floors in my experience. This could be your problem.
Where do you live?
#4
10-17-04, 02:58 PM
Member
Hardwood floor noise
If you used solid hardwood, then 15# asphalt felt paper is used as a vapor retarder beneath. Boards are nailed into 3/4" plywood or OSB. There will be no noise with this type of installation except the sounds of your footsteps.
If you installed a floating wood laminate product, you will get noise with movement of flooring. You would have been instructed to use the manufacturer's recommended foam underlayment material so that planks can move freely. Some of the better underlayments offer sound deadening ability. If you installed over concrete a polypropylene (plastic) vapor retarder should have been used beneath foam.
If product was not properly acclimated to temperature and humidity of room before installation and if expansion gap between flooring and wall was not allowed, there could be some buckling taking place. If so, walking on floor would probably cause some 'cracking' noise. Before installing baseboards, check to see if you allowed for the expansion gap. You may have to cut flooring along baseboards to allow for the gap. Spacers should have been used at wall to maintain gap. If subfloor was not perfectly flat for floating floor planks to properly lock together, then you will get likely get popping and cracking noises.
If you installed a floating wood laminate product, you will get noise with movement of flooring. You would have been instructed to use the manufacturer's recommended foam underlayment material so that planks can move freely. Some of the better underlayments offer sound deadening ability. If you installed over concrete a polypropylene (plastic) vapor retarder should have been used beneath foam.
If product was not properly acclimated to temperature and humidity of room before installation and if expansion gap between flooring and wall was not allowed, there could be some buckling taking place. If so, walking on floor would probably cause some 'cracking' noise. Before installing baseboards, check to see if you allowed for the expansion gap. You may have to cut flooring along baseboards to allow for the gap. Spacers should have been used at wall to maintain gap. If subfloor was not perfectly flat for floating floor planks to properly lock together, then you will get likely get popping and cracking noises.
