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Hustlin' Hank Hustlin' Hank is offline
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Default Want to replace wood floors but don't have a subfloor. Do I needone?

On Feb 9, 8:21�pm, Dairy Godmother wrote:
HI group,

I bought a house built in 1925 which has oak floors. �They are not in
the best shape, with cracks and weak spots (funny the home inspection
didnt really call it out as a problem). �Additionally, it has been
refinished as many times as it can take so we are going to replace
it. �There is no subfloor, however. �My question is: �could you have
the new floor installed right on top of the old floor (making it
become the subfloor) or would you just have both installed brand new?
Or just a new floor without a subfloor?

This is for two rooms on the ground floor that is over a basement.
Currently we hear the boiler and see through cracks, so I'd like
something very sound and as sealed as possible. �Not married to any
particular type of wood so if one type is better I'd love to hear
about that too.

Thanks in advance to this very generous group!


You have a miriad of choices if your floor joists are sturdy. if they
aren't, you MUST shore them up to the point they ARE sturdy by either
adding more joists nest to them, or a beam under them.

Assuming your floor joists are sturdy, you can replace the boards that
are weak and mushy if you can get the proper height (thickness). Then
you can decide what floor covering you want.

Once you decide whether it is going to be carpet, laminate, tile or
whatever, then you can decide what is best for a sub-floor. When
deciding, take in consideration of the height of the thresholds and
the transitions you'll need to make.

Hank