Old Hardwood Floors No Subfloor

8 wood screws flush to the subfloor.

Old hardwood floors no subfloor. Older homes may have solid hardwood flooring nailed directly on the joists no subfloor. However the wood isn t as hard as some other flooring choices. Hardwood flooring is solid wood cut from the tree. Sinking the head into the subfloor could cause the screw point to break through the finished floor surface.

9 16 or thicker floating engineered wood floors can simply be installed directly on plank subfloor the hardwood flooring must be installed crossing the subfloor boards at a 90 degree angle. Have someone stand on the floor above while you drive the screws. You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings. Nail down or floating floors may be installed over existing vinyl as long as it s no more than two layers thick.

Space your screws about every 6 in. Pine offers grain textures and knots that create an interesting look on your floor. Hardwood floors are beautiful last a lifetime and are easy to install. With no special tools you can go from subfloor to breathtaking in as little as a day.

If the subfloor is smooth enough an underlayment may not be needed for laminate. On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor. If there is any deflection in the wood plank subfloor when walked on it would be advisable to add an additional layer of 3 8 or 1 2 thick plywood. Before we get started with how to install hardwood floors let s cover a few basics.

Laying a new subfloor over old pine flooring. A plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves in the existing floor and leveling compound would help too. Thoroughly vacuum the existing floor and use a long floor leveler and tape measure to ensure the subfloor is level within 3 16 inch for every 10 feet. Hardwood flooring may be installed straight onto the subfloor with only a sheet of red rosin paper intervening.