Fitting Solid Oak Floorboards

[wedgie]

Hi All

I'm about to lay some solid oak flooring to my hall and downstairs dining room on top of the existing boards using the hidden nail method. Some web sites suggest using a felt/paper underlay to resist dampness coming up from below, while others say this can trap dampness in the existing joists and boards.

Any suggestions on the right way?

 

[Alisdair]

If you have damp you need to deal with this first as it will **** your new floor!! If damp is likely you could put down plastic sheeting but I would sort the issue first

 

[WoodYouLike]

If you have damp you need to deal with this first as it will **** your new floor!! If damp is likely you could put down plastic sheeting but I would sort the issue first

NEVER use plastic sheeting over existing floorboards! This will trap any moist, block ventilation and could cause joists to rot.

Voids beneath existing floorboards should have air bricks. As long these function properly you don't have to use any further protection - especially nothing that blocks the normal ventilation.

 

[wedgie]

There is no sign of any damp and the air vents all appear clear - so will take your advice and nail directly to the subfloor.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Alisdair]

Sorry didnt read your post properly - thought you were talking about a concrete floor! My method of detecting damp is useless for your wood floor! Totally agree with WoodYouLike