Replies

1. 
   Frank_Rotte | Apr 01, 2000 05:27pm | #2

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   A common practice here is to create a floating floor with 1"x3"x4' treated sleepers layed, not fastened, over a membrane, at 16" oc. Then fasten the flooring to the sleepers. I don't think you'll be happy with the spruce. It's very soft, dents and scratches very easily. I'm still getting grief from my wife for the pine floors I put in. Next time it's Australian Cypress for me.

2. 
   Guest_ | Apr 01, 2000 05:27pm | #3

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   I'm installing a locally cut spruce floor over a heated gypcrete floor. This floor is above a heated basement. The wood is dried to around 7% and we've installed sleepers 16"OC. The question is, do I need a vapor barrier or some other kind of isolation membrane between gypcrete and wood? The house has been heated for several months, and both gypcrete and wood are aclimated and aren't going to get any drier...just the seasonal variation.
   What's the purpose of the membrane, anyway? A vapor barrier? To prevent squeaks? To allow the wood to slide over the substrate as it expands and contracts? Is it necessary?

   Tom Laing

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 30, 2000 06:55pm | #1

   *Tom,How thick is your flooring? 3/4" seems slim to me. I'd consider laying a subfloor as well. I would absolutely lay a vapor barrier down over cement floors unless the slab has a barrier under it. I'd also lay tarpaper under the sleepers. How exactly do you lay sleepers over a heasted floor with out compromising the heating system?David Taylor