Wood – What should go between a wood plank sub floor and a hardwood strip floor

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I am about to install a hardwood floor into a room in my 1905 farmhouse. The subfloor is 8-12" wide 1" thick planks. The floor I am installing is 2-1/4" prefinished solid hickory tongue and groove.

Reading books and web how-tos on this a few have mentioned that there should be a layer of "Construction Paper" between the subfloor and the floor strips. The accompanying pictures show stuff that is brown, paperlike and comes in 3' or 4' rolls. I have never seen the like for sale in my local home improvement stores.

What is this "Construction paper"? and is it really necessary?

Best Answer

It's also known as rosin paper:

Roll of rosin paper

Its main purpose is to stop air leaking through cracks in the subfloor and floor which is especially important if the space below the floor is unconditioned. (You'll also find claims that it prevents the floor from squeaking or muffles sound transmission through the floor.)

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Wood – Where should I start laying nail down hardwood flooring and how to make it straight

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.

Wood – Alternative to tongue and groove adhesive for hardwood floor

This looks like a simple white wood glue. That should be no problem here. Do NOT use a polyurethane wood glue here like Gorilla glue, as that will expand out and cause a mess, as well as possibly push the boards apart.

If you are unsure if it will work, try some white wood glue on a test piece. It will dry within an hour.

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Wood – Where should I start laying nail down hardwood flooring and how to make it straight

Wood – Alternative to tongue and groove adhesive for hardwood floor

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