TVeblen wrote:


wrote in message
ups.com...
Is there any reason why I wouldn't want to use either 1/4-inch lauan
or hardboard as underlayment for 3/4-inch oak flooring strips
(nailed)? The subfloor is 3/4-inch OSB with somewhat rough, uneven
surface and hardened glue in some places, which is why I want to put
down an underlayment to provide a more even surface for the finish
floor. I know I could use 1/4-inch plywood, but that is a little
more expensive than both the lauan and the hardboard. But if
there's a good reason not to use one or both then I will spend the
extra money for the plywood to ensure a solid installation. Also,
what is the recommended way of attaching 1/4-inch underlayment to
the OSB subfloor? I think the 7/8-inch staples I already have would
be the quickest - is that okay? Thanks!


Save your money. 1/4" anything will not add any appreciable strength
to the floor unless you glued and screwed it in place to achieve a
complete bond across the entire surface. Staples would be the worst
fastener to use, followed closely by overdriven gun nails. The
plywood will span lumps worse than 3/4" flooring strips. Your chances
of floor squeaks will increase significantly. And the normal staples
used to install the strip flooring will perform worse through the
1/4" material. Get out a hammer and wide chisel and knock off the
glue and any other glop on the floor. Drive down any proud nail
heads. Chisel down any swelled joints. Use a thick underlayment paper
like heavy felt. And run the flooring perpendicular to the floor
joists regardless of any aesthetic considerations. The hardwood
floor manufacturers association has never recommended installing
hardwood strip floor over OSB plywood due to poor fastener grip. The
engineered products like Adventec are approved, but not true OSB
plywood. But this defect could be overcome by using extra fasteners.

Make sure that the underlayment paper is not bituminuim based , in hot
areas its been known to stick the floors together , the floors need to
have an expansion facility thats independant of each other

--