Hi all,
Am trying to get to the bottom of this question and there seem to be many, many conflicting answers.
I'm putting an 18mm solid wood tongue and groove flooring (Brazilian Walnut/Ipe) down over existing pretty level floorboard. I know that I need to:
- Leave an expansion gap (3-4mm for every metre in width)
- Nail or screw the floor to the sub-floor (which needs to be solidly fixed down)
- Fix in the opposite direction to the floorboards.
- Leave to acclimatise for a week in the room to be fixed into.
The confusing issue is underlay (or not to underlay).
I've had some suggestions that using a 3mm foam type underlay, like Timbermate Excel is a good idea to assist with sound insulation, and prevent moisture from penetrating into the floor from the exposed earth under the sub-floor given it's a Victorian style house where below the subfloor you have a largeish cavity set with the earth below.
The link below shows the sort of suggestion as 'best-practice' that I'm talking about.
http://www.wood4floors.co.uk/guides-and-info/floor-fitting-instructions/
I've also heard this will take away some of the echo and hardness of a solid floor that would exist with no cushioning below.
Elsewhere I've read using a foam type underlay will at best be useless due to the compression as the boards are put down, and at worst will result in a squeak as it could promote movement.
Finally, I've read that under no circumstances if using an underlay over a current wood floor, should one use an underlay with a DPM built in (although the underlays sold for the purpose have these, and there is no explanation as to why a DPM is a bad idea).
So basically, on the question of underlay I'm totally confused as what is best/worthwhile/useless/to be avoided.
If anyone can offer a conclusive or informed opinion on any of the above would really appreciate it!!
Thanks!
Am trying to get to the bottom of this question and there seem to be many, many conflicting answers.
I'm putting an 18mm solid wood tongue and groove flooring (Brazilian Walnut/Ipe) down over existing pretty level floorboard. I know that I need to:
- Leave an expansion gap (3-4mm for every metre in width)
- Nail or screw the floor to the sub-floor (which needs to be solidly fixed down)
- Fix in the opposite direction to the floorboards.
- Leave to acclimatise for a week in the room to be fixed into.
The confusing issue is underlay (or not to underlay).
I've had some suggestions that using a 3mm foam type underlay, like Timbermate Excel is a good idea to assist with sound insulation, and prevent moisture from penetrating into the floor from the exposed earth under the sub-floor given it's a Victorian style house where below the subfloor you have a largeish cavity set with the earth below.
The link below shows the sort of suggestion as 'best-practice' that I'm talking about.
http://www.wood4floors.co.uk/guides-and-info/floor-fitting-instructions/
I've also heard this will take away some of the echo and hardness of a solid floor that would exist with no cushioning below.
Elsewhere I've read using a foam type underlay will at best be useless due to the compression as the boards are put down, and at worst will result in a squeak as it could promote movement.
Finally, I've read that under no circumstances if using an underlay over a current wood floor, should one use an underlay with a DPM built in (although the underlays sold for the purpose have these, and there is no explanation as to why a DPM is a bad idea).
So basically, on the question of underlay I'm totally confused as what is best/worthwhile/useless/to be avoided.
If anyone can offer a conclusive or informed opinion on any of the above would really appreciate it!!
Thanks!
