Hi All!

I am taking on my first wood floor project and was hoping for some advice.

My house was built in the 20's so I've been pulling up some of the floor to find out whats underneath. The joists are 16" OC, 10" wide planks above the joists (running perpendicular), then old wood floor on top of that (also running perpendicular to joists). This is consistent through the entire first floor. In the dining room/kitchen this is covered by 1 layer of 3/4" ply and an additional layer of 1/4" ply. Finally finished with glued linoleum. In the living room, there is carpet directly over the old wood floor.

My initial thought is that the dining room/kitchen with the two layers of plywood is satisfactory to put a wood floor on top without much extra work. In the living room I plan to match the subfloor of the other room to avoid any height differences.

Does this seem like an appropriate plan? My understanding is I want to avoid screwing the plywood into the joists, correct? Do people generally use screws only long enough to drive into the planks to avoid this or just draw a chalk-line on the joists? I imagine I want to lay the first layer of 3/4" ply perpendicular to the planks and then the second 1/4" ply perpendicular to that. Do I use glue when securing the ply?

Thanks for the help! these forums are a lifesaver although its somehow the first time I've actually posted to one.

 

Welcome to the forums! I do like it when posters read other threads and glean knowledge from them. The only thing questionable is the 1/4" plywood on which the linoleum is attached. It needs to be removed as it is not a good substrate for your hardwood. Too, it will make it the same height once you install 3/4" Advantech or Plywood to the old planks. Do not use glue on the Advantech. Apply 15# felt and staple/cleat your hardwood down. I said that knowing you may not have 3/4" flooring in mind. Have you decided on that, yet?

 

Thanks chandler,

Didn't think the 1/4" ply was an issue as long as I fastened through to the 3/4" ply, so I will consider removing.

I am planning on 3/4" flooring.

Your comments raise some other questions. Currently the two layers of ply that are already down are fastened above the old wood floor (as opposed to removing the wood floor and fastening directly to the planks). Is there any issue with this? I was planning on screwing through the old wood floor to match the other rooms but will consider something different if it may lead to problems.

Thanks again, Paul.

 

How thick is the old wood flooring? Maybe a picture or two of what you have would help us see what you see. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...your-post.html

 

The 1/4" and linoleum need to go. Minimum 5/8" ply for nail down or 3/4" OSB or advantech as previously suggested. Here is a link that will answer most of your questions on hardwood flooring. http://tinytimbers.com/pdf/nwfa-install-guidelines.pdf