I'm facing a bit of a dilemma with my flooring project. I have an old fir wood floor that's directly nailed to the joists without any subfloor, and there's noticeable bowing and dips toward the wall. I've come across advice suggesting to install floating laminate planks perpendicular to the existing boards, but I'm unsure if this method applies given the lack of subfloor. Additionally, I'm worried about the potential for breaking the tongue of the laminate if I place heavy furniture along the dip. I've got a flooring contractor who wants to install the planks straight from the entry door, which aligns with the joists, but I'm not convinced that's the best approach considering the room's likely lack of squareness—it's an old house, after all. What do you think is the best way to handle this situation?
2 Answers
Before anything else, I'd make sure to fix any foundational issues first. It’s crucial to have a solid base before laying any new flooring. You don’t want to deal with more problems down the road! Also, consider using some rigid underlayment; laminate needs a pretty flat surface to prevent gaps and keep the seams intact. I've seen issues when laminate goes over uneven surfaces; it doesn’t last. Trust me, you want to do this right from the start!
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend laying laminate over that floor until the underlying problems are sorted out. It seems risky, and I can't believe a flooring installer would suggest this as a solution. What’s their warranty like? It almost feels like they’d leave you hanging once the job’s done. Just make sure that whatever you decide, it’s worth it in the long run!