We are installing 3/4-inch oak strip flooring on the second level
(ground floor) of our home. The subfloors are generally two layers of
plywood: 3/4-inch on the joists and 1/2-inch glued and screwed on top
of that. Generally, both layers appear to be screwed into the joists.
In the kitchen, however, the previous owner also installed 1/4-inch
plywood on top of that as a subfloor to a (god-awful) vinyl floor. We
do not yet know how this layer is secured to the lower 2 layers.
We want the new wood floors on this level to be the same height (i.e.,
not use any reducers). To do this, we either need to remove the
1/4-inch plywood in the kitchen (not an easy task because the previous
owner also installed the new kitchen cabinets on top of that 1/4-inch
plywood) or put 1/4-inch plywood down everywhere else (a little extra
cost is preferable to a lot of extra work).
My question: is it acceptable to have a layer of 1/4-inch plywood
directly beneath the strip flooring?
If my math is correct, 2-inch nails nailed at 45 degrees should
penetrate through the 1/4 inch and 1/2-inch plywood layers and into
the 3/4-inch layer a few sixteenths. Is this acceptable? I do not
want the floors loosening or creaking because the nails do not have
enough bite into the plywood subfloor? Should/could we use slightly
longer nails? Do we need to worry about this at all?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and recommendations.
Nat
Washington DC
Replies
i would first find a place to see how the 1/4" plywood is secured, if it is not too difficult to pull up (a good bet if the vinyl is that awful), you can tiger saw or chisel it along the cabinets without too much difficulty. as far as i know, flooring nails are all the same length, and you don't need to worry about that, but installing new 1/4" securely enough while keeping a smooth and flat surface can be frustrating, so i'd opt for removal as a first choice. all the best, D
Nat, I think I would remove the 1/4" also. There are several tools that would make this easier. There is a small jamb saw as a drill accessory that you can get under the toe kick. A Fein multi-tool and a 35 dollar blade will work on the qtr inch and toe kick and would allow you to undercut the casing for the new hw floor. 1/4" underlay you could almost cut with a utility knife and good blade or a lino blade sharpened. Be careful with all those. I would also use an air assist stapler and size the staples to get into that 3/4. You won't have to wail on the air assist around all the cabs. Best of luck
__________________________________________
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
one layer of 3/4 is sufficient , so you've got plenty.. pull up the 1/4".. any way you can..you can take teh kickboards off you cabinets so you can get closer.. and the kickboards reinsatlled will help cover the edge of the oakfloorMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore