Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - type of wood floor/subfloor
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jingram105
10-18-02, 01:58 PM
I'm trying to decide what type of floor to install in my den. I am not a very experienced do-it-yourselfer, but I want hardwood floors without great expense.
The space that I plan to begin with is about 250 sq ft. I have already pulled up the old carpet to expose the subfloor. I have a layer of plywood that is labeled 32/16 Exterior grade plywood (or something to that effect). The plywood appears to be about 3/8 to 1/2 in thickness. On top of the plywood is some type of composite material. I don't know the technical name for this type of material but it appears to be some type of pressed wood.
Everyone that I have talked to locally (Birmingham, AL area), tells me that the composite material must come up if I am going to do a nail down installation. One installer told me to pull it up and to nail the wood to the plywood that is underneath. Is the plywood strong enough, or do I need another layer of plywood?
I think I would prefer the nail down type of unfinished floor but am afraid that I am getting in over my head. Should I go with a floating, engineered floor, or a solid prefinished floor. I don't think I want a laminate.
Also, the composite board appears to be slightly damaged along the back door to the deck, from moisture perhaps.
A final problem is one small unlevel spot, about 17" by 49". The den wall ends here and the hallway to the front door begins. The hallway appears to be slightly lower than the den. Because the hallway begins right in front of the steps, that lead to the upper part of the house, the den carpet was extended to the far edge of the steps (past the edge of the den wall). Whoever installed the floor when the house was built, apparently just bent the composite material down to make-up for the drop, and didn't do a very good even job of it. What do I do? Pull this part of the composite floor up and then level and replace it somehow?
I suppose moisture could also be a problem in the house. This part of the house is over a crawl space and probably has at least two feet vertical clearance. Some rooms that I plan to refinish later, at one end of the house, probably have less than two vertical feet under a portion of the rooms. Is this a problem? I do have a problem with the ground absorbing water which is why I have a sump pump under the house.
I realize that I have been rather long winded but I would appreciate any help that you can give me. This is driving me crazy. Maybe I should just hire someone.
Thanks.
jdi
The space that I plan to begin with is about 250 sq ft. I have already pulled up the old carpet to expose the subfloor. I have a layer of plywood that is labeled 32/16 Exterior grade plywood (or something to that effect). The plywood appears to be about 3/8 to 1/2 in thickness. On top of the plywood is some type of composite material. I don't know the technical name for this type of material but it appears to be some type of pressed wood.
Everyone that I have talked to locally (Birmingham, AL area), tells me that the composite material must come up if I am going to do a nail down installation. One installer told me to pull it up and to nail the wood to the plywood that is underneath. Is the plywood strong enough, or do I need another layer of plywood?
I think I would prefer the nail down type of unfinished floor but am afraid that I am getting in over my head. Should I go with a floating, engineered floor, or a solid prefinished floor. I don't think I want a laminate.
Also, the composite board appears to be slightly damaged along the back door to the deck, from moisture perhaps.
A final problem is one small unlevel spot, about 17" by 49". The den wall ends here and the hallway to the front door begins. The hallway appears to be slightly lower than the den. Because the hallway begins right in front of the steps, that lead to the upper part of the house, the den carpet was extended to the far edge of the steps (past the edge of the den wall). Whoever installed the floor when the house was built, apparently just bent the composite material down to make-up for the drop, and didn't do a very good even job of it. What do I do? Pull this part of the composite floor up and then level and replace it somehow?
I suppose moisture could also be a problem in the house. This part of the house is over a crawl space and probably has at least two feet vertical clearance. Some rooms that I plan to refinish later, at one end of the house, probably have less than two vertical feet under a portion of the rooms. Is this a problem? I do have a problem with the ground absorbing water which is why I have a sump pump under the house.
I realize that I have been rather long winded but I would appreciate any help that you can give me. This is driving me crazy. Maybe I should just hire someone.
Thanks.
jdi
Carpets Done Wright
10-18-02, 10:17 PM
Ya, your getting in over your head there. Your budget may not allow you to hire it out. Your looking at a grand or two in labor.