I have a manufactured home with OSB subfloor, to install another subfloor for hardwood would cause a lot of problems. I want a continuous floating floor with no transitioning pieces and I want to know what are the common problems. Is it done in long, continuous installations? The length is 28' ft x 22' ft (living & dining) reducing to 13' x 17' (kitchen) and then to 8' x 10' laundry, then to 16'x 3' foyer.
Flooring – What are the consequences to laying continuous floating floor without using transitioning pieces
floorflooringlaminate-floorsubfloor
Related Solutions
First, remember to lay your wood perpendicular to the floor joists. Laying it parallel can cause a waving effect which is unpleasant.
Next, find the longest, longest, straightest wall which is perpendicular to the joists. Measure out two feet from the wall all the way down the wall. Then find the best line down these marks, snap a chalk line, Measure back to the wall about 23 and 5/8 inches. Snap a this line. Line up your first run of floor against this line, tongue side out (nail through the tongue).
As for room to room, if they are really out of square with each other, try building a transition between rooms:
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This allows you to lay each room separately, allowing each room to be square.
If possible, try framing out the edges. I would remove all of the existing sub floor (since it is particle board) and then add addition framing along the edges as needed for the new plywood. In cases where you can't meet a joist, go perpindicular and create a nice foundation for the floor to attach too.
I would make sure the floor has a firm foundation. It might be extra work to do it, but I would take those extra steps if possible.
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Best Answer
The problem is expansion of the floating floor from seasonal moisture changes**. Transitions provide expansion joints. If you have excessively long continuous flooring, without large expansion joints at the ends, then when it gets humid your floor will expand, not be able to push outwards at the ends, so will push upwards in the middle instead.
** My thanks to DA01 for his comment on this. I'd always assumed it was thermal expansion.