Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - tarpaper vs. red rosin paper vs. ???

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joe28_bak
04-08-05, 02:15 PM
I'm installing 3/4" maple strip flooring over 3/4"x6" tongue-and-groove pine board subfloor. It seems that a commonly recommended underlayment material is 15 lb. asphalt roofer's felt, which apparently neutralizes minor subfloor irregularities and thus minimizes future squeaks, and also serves as a vapor barrier over the basement. I am, however, concerned about fumes/outgassing from the oily asphaltic material, both for nuisance odor reasons and potential long term health hazards. Red rosin paper is apparently also commonly used, but depending on who you ask, it merely makes installation easier and is functionally useless under the finished floor.
What i'd like to know is, is there an "unscented" alternative to the roofer's felt? I can't gain too much height, so it can't be much thicker than the felt. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
-Joe


duneslider
04-08-05, 04:59 PM
There is a red rosin paper that has a small amount of tar in it. I can't think of the name right now but the HD has it. We always just call it "paper", I know, real creative. Thats what we put under hardwood and seems to be just fine. I have actually never put tar paper down, seems a little too extreme for me. The Depot should have what you need.
Later
Bryan