Flooring advice

[PuddleJumper]

I'm putting down 3/8 in prefinished engineered hardwood floor over plywood sub floor using 2 in cleats. In all the diy sites I see a felt or roof paper used. Is this for sound or squeak prevention? Is it necessary?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Flooring advice

My son in the hardwood floor business says: You'd be better with the 3/4" over the 3/8" for just a bit more money, 1-1/2" staples will be fine, the felt is good because it's cheap, helps level the floor, helps stop squeaks, good moisture barrier. Hope this is helpful!

 

[bigdee]

Re: Flooring advice

My experience with the engineered hardwood is that is not as durable as laminate and can only be re-sanded one time. If you are determined to use hardwood I would use solid (not veneered)hardwood. The engineered stuff does not hold up well to moisture. Have you considered laminate? It has come a long way from the old fake formica look and is ALOT more durable than engineered hardwood. The stuff is almost indestructible and since it is a floating floor you can replace a piece if it becomes damaged.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Flooring advice

Thanks all. I guess I'll get the felt. I'm locked in with the 3/8 engineereed as I bought the material last year on sale. Just now getting to it on the honey do list.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Flooring advice

What does the manufacturer say about underlayment? I would think asphalt impregnated felt would not be a good choice for indoors. Rosin paper maybe ?

2 in cleats? What do you mean?

 

[perchin]

Re: Flooring advice

Ditto^^^^It needs to be acclimated to the room's temperature first for sure....

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Flooring advice

What does the manufacturer say about underlayment? I would think asphalt impregnated felt would not be a good choice for indoors. Rosin paper maybe ?

+1^. Rosin paper is typically what is recommended. Probably need to go to a flooring house vs the big box stores to get it.

 

[aflackquack]

Re: Flooring advice

I worked for a Hardwood flooring guy a couple years back. We used either a vapor barrier brown paper or roofing tar paper. The primary reason was to act as a vapor barrier. The roofing paper was normally used in older homes that may have a moisture issue, otherwise it was always the vapor barrier paper. The guy I worked for started doing floors by himself for his dad when he was 14 in Cali and I worked for him when he was 55. He was the guy all of the High end developers and flooring stores used so I trust his judgment. If you get to the point you do want to redo a laminate you want to go with someone with his kind of experience, he was able to get 3 sandings out of a higher end laminate floor. Good luck and have fun.