Can you put plywood on top of subfloor?

Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring.

How do you install engineered hardwood on plywood subfloor?





Glue-Down Installation Over a Concrete Subfloor

  1. Step 1: Set the Expansion Gap. …
  2. Step 2: Apply the Glue to a Small Area. …
  3. Step 3: Spread the Glue. …
  4. Step 4: Place the First Row. …
  5. Step 5: Tap the Second Row Into Place. …
  6. Step 6: Stagger the Joints. …
  7. Step 7: Continue Installing the Floor. …
  8. Step 8: Cut the Final Boards to Fit.

Do you need plywood under engineered wood flooring?

When installing engineered, solid or floating floors that are less than 1/2″ thick we highly recommended you add an additional layer of 3/8″ or 1/2″ thick plywood underlayment. The additional underlayment should be glued and screwed down over 3/4 inch thick OSB subfloor to add stability.

How do you level a 1×6 subfloor?

The 1×6 subfloor isn’t close to level.
He suggested:

  1. Put down #15 paper atop the 1×6.
  2. Screwing a 1/4 sheet of plywood down over the exiting 1×6.
  3. Dam the edges with wood and caulk.
  4. Use lots of leveling compound (can’t recall the name, Pur maybe) to make the floor flat.
  5. Use Seka 2 part primer/glue combo to attach wood.




How do you attach plywood underlayment to subfloor?

To avoid damage to the surface, install underlayment immediately before laying the finish flooring. For maximum stiffness, install underlayment with the face grain perpendicular to floor joists, and offset underlayment panel ends from subfloor panel ends by at least one joist space.

Which way do you lay plywood subfloor?

Ply should always be laid with the grain running across the joists, not along the joist, to maximise the strength. Laying them length ways down a joist will cause them to crack along the grain which could end up in serious injury and or damage. The smaller the gap between joists the stronger the board will be.

Is it better to glue or float an engineered wood floor?

If you are trying to decide between the two, then for engineered wood flooring floating is usually the best option as you can install it quickly and don’t have to worry about which glue to use and how long to wait for it to dry. If you are installing hardwood flooring then using glue may give you a more stable result.

What is the best thickness for engineered hardwood?



About Engineered Hardwood Thicknesses

It is recommended to choose engineered wood flooring with an overall thickness of 3/4 inch to 5/8 inch. Breaking that down, the wear layer should measure 3/16 inch, and the core should have a 9- or 11-plywood (ply) thickness.

Do you need a vapor barrier under engineered hardwood?

Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?” The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.

What underlayment should I use for engineered hardwood?



What Underlayment is Best for Wood? When installing hardwood or engineered wood flooring, the best underlay options are cork and foam. However, foam does have more give than cork so, while it is the more popular option, we recommend cork.

How do you prepare a floor for engineered hardwood?

Prepare the Subfloor

Carefully clean the subfloor until it’s free of dirt, debris, and any damage. Keep an eye out for loose staples or nails left from the last flooring. Your new flooring needs a solid foundation, so make sure there’s no damage or loose boards.

What do you put under engineered wood flooring?

Underlayment. You should always install engineered wood over an underlayment. Moisture barriers and underlayment prevent moisture build-up under your floors, keep your floors warm, reduce noise, and even out subfloor imperfections.

Can you lay engineered wood over floorboards?



Hardwood flooring boards (either solid wood flooring or engineered wood flooring) can be fitted onto existing wooden floor boards. The hardwood flooring should run perpendicular to the existing floor boards to provide maximum strength and stability.

How does engineered hardwood hold up?

A prefinished, engineered hardwood floor has a very durable, long-lasting finish. Finishes applied by the manufacturer can last years longer than those applied by an installer, which in turn increases the durability of your floor. This means that the floor can go years longer without needing to be refinished.

Can you walk on engineered hardwood floors after installation?

Engineered hardwood flooring can resist warping from changes in temperature much better than solid hardwood flooring, so you only need to wait a day before walking on it.

How do you stagger engineered hardwood floors?

  1. Lay your first row of wood planks about 1/2 inch from the wall. Nail it or glue it down. …
  2. Start your second row at the end of the first row. …
  3. Place an end remnant at the beginning of the third row, where the second row ended. …
  4. Alternate the three row patterns across the floor.
  5. Can I stay in my house while floors are refinished?

    If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished, but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project …