Bamboo flooring over a diagonal plank subfloor question

[bvz]

Hi there,

I have a 1952 house with diagonal plank subfloors (3/4" thick, 9.5" - 10" wide).

Currently there is plywood and tile over these floors in the kitchen. I am taking out the tile and also hope to remove the plywood. In its place I intend to install pre-finished fiber strand bamboo flooring. Aesthetically speaking, I would prefer to have the bamboo run parallel to the underlying joists, though I am not dead set on this. Is this a bad idea or does the subfloor being diagonal make it a moot point? Like I said, I am willing to go perpendicular to the joists if necessary.

Thanks in advance to any who answer.

Ben

[lesakflooring]

You need to find out if unerlayment is installed properly, if it is you might be replacing sub floor too.

[bvz]

whoops. Don't know what the underlayment is. Can you elaborate? And if possible, suggest any books I should read before diving into this process?

Thanks!

Ben

[lesakflooring]

The underlayment is what you called the plywood. If the underlayment was installed properly is will be glued and stapled, screwed or nailed. If that is the case you will destroy the 1bys when you remove underlayment and your project just got expensive. The good news is you will have full access to the joists so you could install additional blocking if needed and start with fresh materials. As far as can I do this or that with your floor, I would HIGHLY recommend cunsulting mfg. for installation specifics to make sure it would be covered by warranty. I dont know of any wood floors solid or engineered that could be installed over dimensional lumber 1bys, to much movement in my opinion.

[bvz]

Aha.

Well, nuts. Ok, at least I have some place to start from. Looks like I have a lot of homework to do. Thanks so much for you help!

Ben

[bvz]

I'm going to ask the mfg. about installing over the existing 1bys (assuming the plywood underlayment is not glued to this layer) but I'm wondering why you think there might be too much movement (not doubting you at all since I have zero experience and you seem to know what you are talking about... just wondering). Specifically, I am wondering because the rest of my house has hardwood (oak) flooring nailed directly to this subfloor. Wouldn't that show gaps if the subfloor was moving too much?

Second question (since you have been so kind so far as to answer all my other questions)... you mentioned that replacing the existing 1bys would be expensive. Is this a project that a reasonably handy homeowner can do themselves? Just a short bit of googling so far (I'll do more in depth research before I continue) seems to indicate that I would have to cut out the old 1bys, inspect the joists to make sure they are sound (which I think they are after having spent WAY too much time looking at them in my crawlspace doing electrical work), and then lay down plywood sheets (special ones designed to be subfloors) and screw or nail them to the existing joists (or to additional material which I sister to the existing joists). Without going into too much detail, do I have the general idea correct here?

Thanks again.

Ben

[steve h]

If the subfloor plywood that you have, under the ceramic tile is in good condition after you remove the ceramic tile. I would recommend that you use that subfloor and if that is not in good condition to install over. I'll do your replace it or put another layer of subfloor on top. The reason why back in 1950, that they start run, one by stock across the floor choices that a diagonal was to make it to where they were able to install the 2 1/4 inch oak in what ever direction that they would like to install the product without worrying about the flooring sagging. I would not recommend installing engineered wood over those slats without at least a half inch CDX plywood subfloor. Like what has been mentioned already contact the flooring manufacturer. You can do that online, and they will give you all their installation suspects. And that if there are any questions, contact them by phone. I think you said you have been in the crawl space and the floor joists appeared to be a good condition you should be fine.

HAVE A GREAT DAY

[bvz]

thanks all for your help!

Once I get the ceramic tile up, I'll know more but it seems like I should start planning to replace my subfloor as well. Oh well, if nothing else I am going to learn a LOT.

ben

[Daris Mulkin]

"Crawl Space"You say? That could bring up another problem. Is there at least 18 inches from the dirt to the joists? Also is the dirt covered with plastic? If not you could also have a moisture issue coming up out of the dirt.

Daris