Hello,
I am going to install 3/4″ red oak in our bathroom. Already have a plywood sub in. Guy at Home Depot said rosin paper is not necessary at all (or anything else for that matter). He said putting down paper was a carry-over from the old days when they installed flooring over planks. Does installing anything (rosin, tar paper) under the oak floor buy me anything? Thanks. -Frank
Replies
Whether its absolutely necessary or not I always put down the rosin paper. If for no other reason it keeps the hardwood from rubbing against the plywood.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I always put down rosin paper. Youre getting info from Home Depot....Geezzzzz!
This house alone (see pix on my website below) I put down over 3000 sq ft of oak....sanded stained and used moisture cure finish which I think is a total necessity in water areas especially in a bathroom. I'd do at least three coats. Be careful though cause moisture cure isnt easy to work with if you havent done it before. Read all the info you can on it and follow them explicitly other wise youre in for trouble. It really is a great product in water areas....I did my whole house with it. Rosin paper is the least of it. Just do it. Separate the wood subloor from the oak. Its cheap enough. Stops a lot of squeeks where it may happen on occasion for one reason or another. Also.....I would screw down the subloor to help stop squeeks. I screwed down my entire house subfloor. I bought an auto feed type screwgun but in just a bathroom you can just use a drill with a phillips tip or a screwgun as its a small area.
HAve fun
Be well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Have you considered white oak? It is naturally better in moisture applications. Probably won't find it at HD.
J.
I purchased the red oak a few months back (it was a good deal). I am planning on putting on at least 3 or 4 coats of poly to protect it and obviously will try to keep floor dry as possible. Have a good vent fan in the room. Frank
Use red rosin or #15 felt. Don't use felt over radiant floor heating.
Ask the guy at Home Depot if he's familiar with the installation specifications provided by the hardwood flooring association. If he claims he is, ask him why he's disregarding them.