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

Hardwood over plywood.. How level should the edges be??

johndrew | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 25, 2013 09:35am

I have installed the 3/4 plywood for 3/4 solid hardwood. Now looking at the edges, I see some spots where they are not level.1/16 inch.   How level shold they be and how is the best way to level them?. Take off from the top whth a sander, build up  with filler like Durobond or add shims on the lower one?

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

Replies

  1. calvin | Jan 25, 2013 09:44pm | #1

    John

    Stub your toe and trip bad-do something.   (some doubled up felt paper will taper it enough).

    Stub your toe and no big deal, you can feel the difference with your shoe-don't worry about it.

    edit:   You screwed the new and old subfloor down, right?   and you've staggered the end joints in the plywood , right?

    1. johndrew | Jan 26, 2013 06:42am | #2

      Yep. Cut a sheet in half to start off, then offset with a full sheet. Used 2 inch screws to put down thru the 3/4 plywood , thru the 1/2 inch sub-floor into the floor joist about 8" apart. This is perpendicular to the way the flooring will be laid.

      Took out the partical board by sawing on each side of the nails attaching it to the joist, then easily removed the 15" center section, which had no nails and then tapped the 1 1/2 inch section which had the nails and it easily broke out.

      Will sleep good tonight...if I ever get get out of this Ape like position.

      Any suggestions on how to set staples which are not all the way down? Willl start the hardwood  Monday. Also any recommendations on how to pull the boards up tight? Screw driver, wide chisel, Planning on leaving a 3/4 gap on all sides .

      Where do you recommmend we start? We could start in an ajoining bedroom and work toward the living room which may cause the wall plank in the living room not to be full size due to what comes out of the bedroom into the hallway maybe a 1/4 or half plank. next to the living room wall

      1. calvin | Jan 27, 2013 05:07pm | #3

        John

        johndrew wrote:

        Yep. Cut a sheet in half to start off, then offset with a full sheet. Used 2 inch screws to put down thru the 3/4 plywood , thru the 1/2 inch sub-floor into the floor joist about 8" apart. This is perpendicular to the way the flooring will be laid.

        Took out the partical board by sawing on each side of the nails attaching it to the joist, then easily removed the 15" center section, which had no nails and then tapped the 1 1/2 inch section which had the nails and it easily broke out.

        Will sleep good tonight...if I ever get get out of this Ape like position.

        Any suggestions on how to set staples which are not all the way down? Willl start the hardwood  Monday. Also any recommendations on how to pull the boards up tight? Screw driver, wide chisel, Planning on leaving a 3/4 gap on all sides .

        Where do you recommmend we start? We could start in an ajoining bedroom and work toward the living room which may cause the wall plank in the living room not to be full size due to what comes out of the bedroom into the hallway maybe a 1/4 or half plank. next to the living room wall

        Which staples? 

        Not set deep enough-bash the shit outta them.

        If flooring staples-bigger nail set, hit each side till flush with the tongue.

        I would start in the big room.  Not matter how you divide the total distance of coverage-mega computer and using a micrometer..............how you end up will be a mystery in that kind of length.  See if you can figure the run in that room (big one) and MAYBE adjust for centering.  It'll still work out however it does.  Might as well start with a full board and be done with it.

        Parallel is more of a thing to keep checking, makes the rips at the opposite wall look better.

        Harwood shrinks/expands in width way moreso than in length.  With a moisture meter, check the flooring and the subfloor.  You want those two to be as close to the same as you can.

        I'd leave no more than a 1/2" at the start and finish-----baseboard (if 3/4" will cover)  if using base and shoe-no problem whatsoever.  At the ends, a half is more than enough-you could leave less and be fine. 

        To pull the boards together?   The flooring nailer will drive most of the way tight.  If necessary, a block of the same stuff with edge of the groove narrowed so when you use it as a block, it hits the tongue b/4 it hits the finished edge of the hardwood, thus driving it home without boogering up the finished edge.  If a board is so bent that would not work-discard or cut in half to minimize the curve and use it for starter/finisher.

        The flat side of the chisel will if driven in at the tongue and an angle, pull in a problem board.............but don't booger up the tongue.

        Lay your hardwoods out in front of you, staggering the end joints from adjoining rows.  Keep enough room to work (swing the nailer hammer), but lay your runs out so you don't have to fish around as to what board to use next.  Layout 5 or so runs ahead.  Then you can stay bent over like a goofy looking hunchback for long enough to really get to feeling bad. 

        Keep the surfaces clean and don't wear lugsoled shoes-with a gravel driveway.

        Best of luck.

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

How Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” Will Affect the Inflation Reduction Act

The Big Beautiful Bill could do away with much of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the 25C, 25D and 45L tax credits.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • How Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” Will Affect the Inflation Reduction Act
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Podcast Episode 690: Sharpening, Wires Behind Baseboard, and Fixing Shingle Panels
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Hand Tool Sharpening Tips

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 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
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • 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