Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Wood Flooring Questions
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yogz0820
12-10-07, 01:01 PM
We currently have only one year old laminate in two rooms. We would like to replace it to install real hardwood floors. Here are my quyestions:
1. Can I reuse any of the laminate flooring?
2. What kind of "padding" do you need below hardwood floor? Can i reuse the underlayment that i bought when we installed the laminate flooring?
I was told paper by the contractor, but at lumber liquidator they said to use actual underlayment for removal of sound, mositure and flaws in the floor. If its paper, whats the difference between red and the black paper?
3. Do i have to install plywood on our cement foundation before installing the wood? I've read that its ok to install wood over concrete.
The Contractor said he would need nail and glue, but initially i told him that i wanted him to install the wood with nails...please suggest. Thank you in advance for your help!
1. Can I reuse any of the laminate flooring?
2. What kind of "padding" do you need below hardwood floor? Can i reuse the underlayment that i bought when we installed the laminate flooring?
I was told paper by the contractor, but at lumber liquidator they said to use actual underlayment for removal of sound, mositure and flaws in the floor. If its paper, whats the difference between red and the black paper?
3. Do i have to install plywood on our cement foundation before installing the wood? I've read that its ok to install wood over concrete.
The Contractor said he would need nail and glue, but initially i told him that i wanted him to install the wood with nails...please suggest. Thank you in advance for your help!
HotinOKC
12-10-07, 01:35 PM
1. Yes, you can reuse most of the laminate if it hasn't been removed and reinstalled more then 2-3 times.
2. Natural hardwood floor do not have a padding. They are glued or nailed to the subfloor. The adhesive they use is water/moisture resistant so no vapor barrier needed. You can only use a padding if it's going to be a floating floor or nailed. Black roofing paper is commonly used, I believe 15lb rating.
3. You can put hardwood on concrete, but you must do a few moisture tests first. If you do choose to do this, glue down is your only choice unless you opt to install a raised wooden subfloor.
2. Natural hardwood floor do not have a padding. They are glued or nailed to the subfloor. The adhesive they use is water/moisture resistant so no vapor barrier needed. You can only use a padding if it's going to be a floating floor or nailed. Black roofing paper is commonly used, I believe 15lb rating.
3. You can put hardwood on concrete, but you must do a few moisture tests first. If you do choose to do this, glue down is your only choice unless you opt to install a raised wooden subfloor.
thezster
12-10-07, 03:27 PM
2. as mentioned above - with today's "tight houses" a vapor barrier under the wood floor is superfluous and unnecessary - however, a layer of wax paper will allow the wood strips to slide a tad easier when nailing them - providing a slightly tighter joint between strips..... Putting a layer of tar paper under the wood, unless you have an "unconditioned basement" is done only for tradition's sake, rather than necessity.