DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: George Milton
When you fix the ply to the old floor, you should avoid fixing it to the joists. Working this way creates what is called a “slip” between the two flooring materials and is recommended.
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When it comes to installing new wood flooring, the success of your project will depend to a large extent on the preparation. Preparation takes into account making the right decisions when ordering your wood flooring, but also means making sure your sub floor is well prepared for receiving your new floor. If you’ve got a plank sub floor and are looking to install a new wooden floor, then you’re highly to be debating the pros and cons of laying your new floor directly on the old plank sub floor, or introducing a layer of ply. As any regular reader of this blog will know, if you’re laying a new wood floor over an old plank sub floor, there are several things you need to take into consideration. The first is that the sub floor planks are stable, well fixed and in reasonable condition. When it comes to laying your new boards over the old, there will be no scope for negotiation when it comes to direction ie. you must lay the new boards perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the old ones. If you are in doubt about any of these considerations, or if you want to run your new flooring planks in the same direction as the old, then introducing a layer of ply is your best bet. Here’s why: Your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the joists in your home. Unless you want to run your new planks perpendicular to the original boards, you have no option but to introduce a layer of ply. The existing planks that make up your floor have strength that runs in one direction only, and it is now recognised that ideally, subfloors should have strength that runs in both directions. Introducing a layer of ply will stop squeaks in your floor if it is done properly (see below).
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Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring. If at all possible, aim to sand your existing planks if they are showing significant signs of old glue or materials that need to be removed. When you fix the ply to the old floor, you should avoid fixing it to the joists. Working this way creates what is called a “slip” between the two flooring materials and is recommended. By working this way, there will be no need to introduce any form of liner between the old planks and the ply. Working with full sheets of ply will make your job easier and will improve the end result. Once your ply is neatly in place, you’ll have a great surface on which to install your new floor. The method of installation you choose will depend on a whole host of factors but will be one of these: glue down, nail or staple down or floating. Again, you can find an article debating the pros and cons of each method here. Two of the most important things to bear in mind, whichever method you use are: to acclimatise your new flooring well and secondly to allow for expansion and contraction of your new flooring by leaving an expansion gap of 10-15mm around your whole room. If you follow these general guidelines, you shouldn’t go wrong when installing your new wood flooring, but if you’d like specific help for your project, simply get in touch. At Wood and Beyond, we have a great team, all of whom are passionate about wood flooring and we’ll happily share our years of experience with you if you’d like us to.
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