FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Exterior porch flooring

mick182 | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 11, 2010 01:11am

I have a two part question, seperate issues but along the same line, material wise.

I have to rip out an existing porch floor that has what appears to be oak T&G strps, which look to be 3″. I will be removing the entire framing as it is totally wrong which caused the whole floor to sink about about a foot toward the front.

Once the deck framing is complete and is ready for the wood strip flooring, should the T&G just be faced nailed to the joists or should a layer of ply be laid over the frame and then be installed similar to how you do a interior install (floor nailer with staples)

(Part two)

Inside I have two rooms which have linoleum tile over the floors which are all pretty sound and in decent shape. Can I install new oak strip flooring right over the tile without having to rip them up. None of the existing tiles are loose or popping up. They appear to be glued down to the subfloor and would be a real chore to take up.

Mick

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    AaronRosenthal | May 11, 2010 02:23am | #1

    Exterior porch floor

    Let me answer the first question.

    In my area, T&G exterior flooring is FIr. I don't know where you live, but I think Oak would ber unlikely - unless that was the cause of the issue.

    When I need to do this repair, I normally do all my exterior framing as required; then, protect the joists with a Vycor product (or whatever); then I lay Fir T&G nailing as if it were a regulat floor. I dislike nail holes in my faces, so I blind nail.

    One precaution I use, is of course, coat all 6 sides.

    As redoing the tile floor, others have more experience and better advice.

    1. mick182 | May 11, 2010 02:45am | #2

      I'm in NY.

      So your saying Dug Fir insaead the oak for porch floor? I cant tell what it actually is because existing deck wood is painted many coats. Just assumed it is oak.

      as far as the vycor. I'm not familiar with that. Is that applied over each joist?

      So what you do is blind nail at each joist location/

      1. calvin | May 11, 2010 06:05am | #3

        Porch floor

        You don't lay over ply-sure way for the whole shebang to retain moisture and rot out soon.

        Stainless cleats - blind nailed to the joists.

        Run the boards away from and sloped downward from the house-allowing water to drain.  Since you're reframing you should be able to accomodate this.

        Seal all sides, cuts and edges b/4 you put it down.

        Inside-you can cut the through the underlay and take it all up in smaller pcs.  Set your circ saw to depth and do wear eye protection because you'll surely run through staples / nails .  Cut up so you've got 3x3' pcs.  Pry up, cart off.  Is it reasonable to assume you've got asbestos tile or adhesive under there? 

        You could go over, but depending on the layers of underlay/tile/lino..........might help get your finished height down a bit.

        1. mick182 | May 11, 2010 03:46pm | #4

          Yeah, i didn't think laying ply would be the way to go, but wanted to ask.

          How do you go about sealing all the individual pieces of strip flooring prior to install? Do you lay em' all out on racks or something? I barely have room to set up a work area in this particular location. Very tight packed houses with trees, bushes etc... all over. i would be worried about all the debris from the trees and so forth falling on the coated strips and making a mess. Also it's a lot of strips, probably would cover more space than the small yard itself.

          As far as the interior flooring, yes i agree that would be the way to rip up the floor/tile, but i would rather not if the floor can be layed over the tile. I figured an underlayment and then going rihjt over it with the oak flooring. Do you forsee any problems doing this way. I don't want to compromise the installation, but i also don't want to do alot of "unnecessary" work/cost if possible. BTW,height is not an issue.

          Is there a better choice of T&G to use on this project than oak strips? The porch is totally covered if that makes a difference.

          1. calvin | May 11, 2010 05:23pm | #5

            Mick

            Sealing all sides.  Buy preprimed (tho I think many times it's pretty sparse).  Or figure a way to do enough to lay in one day, spend the remaining couple hours (?) and coat some more ready for tomorrow.  Treat cut ends as they come.  Don't do this and you'll  regret not having done so.  Debris or premature problems.

            Interior.  I wouldn't go over but I'm not you.  If you do, I would still screw all the layers at one time to the joists b/4 proceding.  Customers hate creaks.  Screwing down the subfloor will help minimize them.  I would not install yet another layer of underlay.  Put down felt or rosin paper as a slip sheet and go to town.

            Oak?  Interior fine.  Exterior...............is it white or red?  White oak seems to last (old stuff did, new stuff-jury still out) as window sills, thresholds, trim.............centuries if maintained.  Never gave it a thought outside on a porch floor.  Beats me.

            Red?  I wouldn't.  Doesn't seem to have what it takes.  Quickly and easily turns black when introduced to moisture (put a potted plant on it and water .  Watch in horror as the stain appears in a few days.  Don't know what that has to do with it, but I've never seen red oak (nor white for that matter) as a porch floor.

            Fir, there's also treated southern pine, ipe' , some mahogany's (no experience with them, tho the samples look nice), a few brands of pvc (AKEK) tho not paintable-few colors.  These all look like the traditional porch floor.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Drafting the 2027 IRC

Key proposals for the next edition of the International Residential Code tackle room sizes, stair specs, emergency egress, and deck guards, among other requirements.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 695: Saving Bricks, Cut-and-Cobble Insulation, and Waterproofing Foundations
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Waterproofing Below-Grade Foundation Walls
  • Midcentury Home for a Modern Family
  • The New Old Colonial

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 333 - August/September 2025
    • A Practical Perfect Wall
    • Landscape Lighting Essentials
    • Repairing a Modern Window Sash
  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data