Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - 1935 House, No Subfloors?
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diydiana
03-29-06, 11:05 PM
My husband and I purchased a two-story house with crawl space a few months ago, knowing that it would be a bit of a fixer-upper, yet quite livable as is. This evening I have pulled up old carpet in the upstairs hallway/top of the staircase to reveal the wood floors beneath.
It was very disappointing... The wood floors are quite likely the original floors. They are quite aged and rough. In addition, someone put a coat of light bluish-gray paint over them. When I pried up the wood slat at the top of the stairs (level with the floor), there appears to be no subfloor. Just a beam running side to side and then nothing. Is that possible? If so, is it likely there is no subfloor on the first floor as well (above the crawl space)?
Thanks for any ideas.
Diana
It was very disappointing... The wood floors are quite likely the original floors. They are quite aged and rough. In addition, someone put a coat of light bluish-gray paint over them. When I pried up the wood slat at the top of the stairs (level with the floor), there appears to be no subfloor. Just a beam running side to side and then nothing. Is that possible? If so, is it likely there is no subfloor on the first floor as well (above the crawl space)?
Thanks for any ideas.
Diana
Carpets Done Wright
03-30-06, 07:02 AM
Very possible.
Many old homes here built at the turn of the century, up til the 40's have no subfloors. It is 2¼ oak T&G flooring, nailed directly to the joists, that are on 12" centers. I have found "shorts" not nailed to anything, because they were not long enough to reach either joist.
Many old homes here built at the turn of the century, up til the 40's have no subfloors. It is 2¼ oak T&G flooring, nailed directly to the joists, that are on 12" centers. I have found "shorts" not nailed to anything, because they were not long enough to reach either joist.
Jas68
03-30-06, 07:52 AM
When I pried up the wood slat at the top of the stairs (level with the floor), there appears to be no subfloor. Just a beam running side to side and then nothing. Is that possible? If so, is it likely there is no subfloor on the first floor as well (above the crawl space)?
Thanks for any ideas.
Diana
My ca 1900 house, like all others in West Philadelphia, has (mostly old heartwood) tongue and groove pine perpendicular to the joists. Most have thin, top-nailed oak strip over that, but some now just use the subfloor as the floor.
You can put lots of types of flooring over those subfloors (like floating floors with an underlayment), just nothing that requires a totally flat and smooth surface. But you will need to deal with making the tops of stairs and other details level with any new flooring. Molding can cover gaps between new flooring and walls.
If you want to put in new flooring and use the T&G as your subfloor, countersunk screws are best to deal with areas of movement and squeaks, and you don't need to worry about what it looks like (since it will be covered).
If you want to refinish the T&G to make it the floor, expect it to look rustic or more than rustic.
Thanks for any ideas.
Diana
My ca 1900 house, like all others in West Philadelphia, has (mostly old heartwood) tongue and groove pine perpendicular to the joists. Most have thin, top-nailed oak strip over that, but some now just use the subfloor as the floor.
You can put lots of types of flooring over those subfloors (like floating floors with an underlayment), just nothing that requires a totally flat and smooth surface. But you will need to deal with making the tops of stairs and other details level with any new flooring. Molding can cover gaps between new flooring and walls.
If you want to put in new flooring and use the T&G as your subfloor, countersunk screws are best to deal with areas of movement and squeaks, and you don't need to worry about what it looks like (since it will be covered).
If you want to refinish the T&G to make it the floor, expect it to look rustic or more than rustic.