Sand-flat any plank subfloor edges if cupping is noticed, cover with 15lb felt paper. Am I better off replacing the whole subfloor, or could i leave the cabinets alone and cut around if so with what? A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. These were usually placed diagonally for added strength. The subfloor is a diagonal plank that is 1" thick. It was totally warped in a few places and had extensive water damage in others. The right subfloor choice depends on your budget, climate, and top floor material. Run the hardwood perpendicular or across the joist. The joists are 16" OC and the planks are around 1x6. If so, how thick? Unfortunately, that thread derailed and turned into a pissing contest. Drying subfloor after flood damage can seem like a daunting task. Wood planks were the traditional subflooring material used in homes built up to the mid-twentieth century. Replacing the 1 x 8 plank subfloor would be a challenge. There are also areas of wood that splintered from age. The common floors include 3/4 thick solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring, floating wood floors & laminate flooring. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. Flooring Over Plank Subfloor Whether or not you need plywood underlayment under engineered wood flooring depends on the condition of the original subfloor. Improper spacing. Rule And/Or Policy Violation. Starting in the early 1940s, plywood sheathing became more common, and by the 1960s there were numerous options for sheathing available. I plan on 3/4 inch oak solid floor. Nothing in this home is built to any specific 16 OC and the planks are similar but varied widths with space between them ranging from 1/8 to 5/8" spacing. 13.3k 6 6 gold badges 53 53 silver badges 85 85 bronze badges. Attached are three pictures that I took of various parts of the plank subfloor that I revealed through removal of the finish floor and sleepers (and 700LBS of nails). The planks are typically 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or a similar softwood. During remodeling, these planks are often replaced with plywood or OSB, or they can be augmented by laying another subfloor layer of plywood over the diagonal planks. OSB provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed. Some manufactures recommend pushing the first row against spacers that keep the planks away from the wall a small distance. The area at our front door was tiled with ceramic. Also, give me the why/why not if you can. I was going to try to avoid removing cabinets. Use a moisture barrier if you are installing on a cement subfloor. So what is it? We have had it inspected by another installer, the retailer and the distributor. Can I install 3/4" of hardwood flooring directly upon the original plank subfloor? Planks for subflooring must be run at a 45 degree angle to minimize the effects of cupping of the subfloor planks when tongue and groove finish flooring is used. Need Help Finding a Old Town Plank Wood Floors. To replace hardwood floor, start by cutting and prying up the old hardwood planks using a circular saw, pry bar, and mallet. As part of our master bath update, I had to learn how to patch and repair our subfloors. Contractor is trying to talk me into replacing the existing diagonal plank subfloor from when the house was built in 1950. All have said it was installed correctly. 3/4" Hardwood flooring can be installed over diagonally laid planking. You can't fasten the planks to the joists and then fasten the plywood to the planks and expect any of it to move freely, can you? I'm considering tile in my kitchen but have got down to the 1x diagonal plank subfloor and they are ate up with termites. My home was constructed in the 50s with 3/4" diagonal plank sub floor which I was told is not acceptable for tile. An old house built before the late 1930s and early 1940s often had straight-edged or tongue-and-groove boards as sheathing, laid perpendicular or diagonally to the floor joists. Before you begin to think that I have a clue… let me stop you. )-just moved in and checked the subfloor. Nail into the joists or not? Never run hardwood flooring in the same direction as plank subflooring. So one corner is raised and catches anything that goes across it. Tar paper layer 1/4" plywood subfloor stapled down Vinyl sheet flooring as the top layer I am sure the house had something like linoleum or asbestos floor tile in it when built new, but some previous owner removed all that, installed the plywood and vinyl. I could tear out the whole subfloor but I would have the same problem with the walls at the top and bottom of the picture because the bottom plate/walls are on top of the diagonal subfloor. When I removed the tile and cement board, I discovered that the cement board was attached directly to the old 1x8 plank subfloor. Each one of the prior subfloors would be used depending on what type of floor you would like to install. The ends of almost every plank peak and do not lay flush on one side despite a flat plywood subfloor. Next, buy replacement flooring, and let it acclimate in the room for 3 days so it doesn't shrink or expand after you install it. And I would also have to replace the hardwood flooring. … The majority of the subfloor is in good shape and sturdy. Please advise. Fix This Build That 12,450,972 views. Banned. I am going to replace the hardwoods in my 1930 house (current hardwoods are 1/4 inch thick and trashed! 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