General Overview
The installation of the subfloor over the existing floors is only possible if the existing floor is free from the damage. It must be noted that while installing any type of the floor one must go as per the manufacturer's instruction because of the fact that use of certain adhesives are not allowed for the application of flooring types like vinyl or cork. Another major thing to do is proper preparation and planning before installation.
Simple Steps Of Installation Sub Floor Over Existing Floor
In order to install subfloor over the existing floor, the user needs to follow the simple steps below:
- Analyze: Proper analysis of the existing floor is mandatory to check the damages that must be followed by the repairs.
- Ply Installation: Ensure to install ply over the old planks. The layer of the ply planks must range in between ½” to 5/8”. This will hide the floor lumps and bumps.
- Sanding: The sanding of the existing floor is recommended to remove all the marks of dirt and old glue over it.
- Fixing: Ensure not to fix the ply with the joists while laying them on the existing floor to create the "slip" that is required.
- Full Sheets: Try to install full ply sheets over the existing floor to get satisfactory results. Also, ensure to acclimatize the ply sheets to adhere to flooring well.
- Installation: Once the ply sheets are laid perfectly follow up by installation of any types of the wood flooring over it as per the manufacturer's direction.
- Important Factors: Important factors to consider prior to subfloor installation is to go for the acclimation first and follow up by providing expansion and contraction. The dimensions of the expansion gap must be approximately 10-15mm.
Note: It must be noted that different flooring comes with different installation methods so one must choose accordingly. The main installation methods include Glue down, floating, staple or nail.