I need to install 4″ t&g Select Maple flooring over a slab, however my build up is limited to about 2″ because of existing exterior doors. My customer does not want a laminate (wants the real thing) .. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Hopefully this is not below grade.
Regardless, the only way I see it happening is this:
1 - Vapor barrier
2 - 3/4" sleepers (pt) with extruded polystyrene in between
3 - 1/2" ply/osb
4 - Paper
5 - Floor
This should be close to 2" but realize that 1/2" subfloor is far from optimum. Maple is pretty strong, though, you never know, it might work out OK.
DCS Inc.
"Whaddya mean I hurt your feelings, I didn't know you had any feelings." Dave Mustaine
Similar to earl ... two layers of 1/2" ply with staggered joints, then the 3/4" maple nailed in place.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
We do this often.
Start with the vapor barior.
Then install 3/4" underlayment or CDX. The plywood is nailed to the slab using a powder accuated nail gun. Keep about a 1/4" space between each sheet and start nailing from the center working your way to the edges. This helps in flattening the plywood and applying it tight to the slab.
We avoid using sleepers because they create a void below the flooring. This void acts as an echo chamber for the sound of your footsteps. Sounds like your walking on a cheap hollow floor when it cost you $$$!
Applying Red Rosin paper between the plywood and the finish flooring strips is a good idea for avoiding a potential squeeky floor in the future.
1 1/2" flooring nails should work fine.
Hope this helps.
Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Edited 3/29/2006 10:53 am ET by Frankie
I did exactly what Frankie said in my family room except I used 15lb tar paper on top of plywood.
The only problem I had was to find the finish nails for face nailing where I could not swing the mallet for floor nailer. Short finish nails of enough guage don't seem to exist.
15# felt is a vapor barrier and therefore is best installed below all wood products.Finnish nails (1 1/2") Can be used. Nail them in at an angle so they can be counter sunk wihout hitting the concrete. We use nail guns for this to avoid swing a hammer so close to the walls.FThere he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
“[Deleted]”