Replies

1. 
   RonRosa | Apr 25, 2002 02:07am | #1

   Chip Board? Is that the OSB? If you have two layers of sheathing , keep it . Most good floor experts recommend both a sub and sheathing under the hardwood.

2. 
   dthodal | Apr 25, 2002 04:49am | #2

   Laying a strip floor on top of OSB and/or chip board is not a good idea. The diagonal blind nailing will not hold in either material. Your end result will be a loose floor.

   If you want strip flooring then I would remove the carpet underlayment and install a minimum of 5/8 cdx plywood over the OSB. Use screws or ring shank nails to secure it to the joists thru the subfloor. Run red rosin paper between the sheets to help eliminate noise squeaks.

   The other option is to use a wide plank floor and face nail or screw and plug. With this detail, you are fastening your flooring into the joists and not the subfloor. Again be sure to use paper between floor and subfloor.

   david

   walk good

1. 
   Floorman | Apr 25, 2002 05:01am | #3

   Hi David,

        I had OSB in my last home upstairs and I stapled/nailed the floor direct to it. It was two years old when I sold and moved. I never had a problem with it. Good to read you response. I haven't seen a Ken Fisher response in awhile either. GW

3. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 25, 2002 05:02pm | #4

   How thick is the underlayment you are considering removing? What type/thickness of "oak flooring" are you thinking of installing? Have you considered how the new floor will transition heightwise to any adjoining floors?

4. 
   Qtrmeg | Apr 26, 2002 12:34am | #5

   Fastening strip floor to chipbrd, (particle board), is a joke. Osb is marginal, but staples work well enough. I would remove the underlayment and make sure the subfloor is well fastened, paper and floor. That seems as perfect as is reasonable.

   The height difference might decide the details, but this is interesting, gab about it for a while.