Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Subfloor for Hardwood.

Contemplating putting a hardwood floor in my first floor living and family rooms with a transition through an entry way that connects the rooms and the outside front door. (Of course this is after my laminate I put in upstairs in my other post.)

The subfloor is "particle wood", I have gotten conflicting advice from an installer buddy of mine in Raleigh and the local LL here in Colonial Heights, VA. My buddy says particle wood is ok as long as the floor isn't squeaking in places, the LL guy says the particle board won't hold a nail so I will have to install a whole new subfloor (OSB or Plywood).

On another note, what is the general consensus on installing a hardwood floor diagonal in a room instead of parallel to the long or short wall?

Thanks.

3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR, AND THE WOOD INSTALLED OPPOSITE THE JOISTS FOR STABILITY.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 3/4 HARDWOOD.


sorry bout the caps

Thanks Flocraft, I suspected the worst (replacing all the subfloors on the first floor) but wanted to do a little more research.

I understand the perpendicular to the joists for stability, does that mean the folks that install the diagnol floors use a floating/engineered product?

Your on track with a 3/4 in hardwood as far as what I wanted to put down but hadn't thought about using a floated engineered product, that would save me some expense and time on the subfloor even though it wouldn't be, from what I have read, as durable and long lasting as a solid hardwood product.

Thoughts?

Going diagonal isn't too bad but try and get a better grade wood,1common or select because it has more longer lengths of wood.As for starting i would start from the middle, corner to corner and then go in opposite directions.Just remember your going to have double the cuts(more waste)and you'll need a table saw when you get to the closing!!