replace particle board before install HW

19 years ago

Have had several quotes on installing HW (site-finished)in 3 rooms currently carpeted & kitchen/breakfast room which had vinyl. Particle board was used under carpet; plywood under vinyl in kitchen/breakfast room. Had to have vinyl removed due to asbestos present so now down to plywood subfloor (1/2") in kitchen. I've been told 3 different things by 3 different contractors: 1: HW can be nailed down through particle board into plywood but will void a warranty, 2: that particle board has to come up & be replaced with plywood (cost of ~$9000), and 3: that particle board will be removed and HW flooring nailed to just 1/2" plywood subflooring. (We are on a full basement for what that is worth so is not slab home). Am becoming more confused the more I read/research. Any help??

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Comments (4)

floorguy
19 years ago
#2 has the correct approach, keeping within tried and true industry standards and requirements.

#1 is playing you for a fool!!! He sees easy money and has you convinced already there is no warranty with your investment.

#3 is just a plain and simple, has no hardwood education. He has tools, and that is about it. But he may know your subfloor isn't really 1/2, but maybe 5/8 and maybe the standard 3/4 are you absolutely positive it is 1/2" plywood as a subfloor?? It would not be tongue & groove if it were 1/2" and need and additional overlay of 1/2"
jerry_t
19 years ago
Number 1 and number 3 are quite common where I live and also the reason I get called out to fix something that can't be fixed. Squeaks and gapping are usually the end result.

9000.00 dollars? What's the total square footage? How many rooms, hallways and closets? Residential home or a condo?
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deck61
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for the responses: Jerry t--I have been quoted about
1400 (roughly) total sq feet, and it is our home. The $9000 quote for simply removing particle board then replacing with plywood was only one aspect of a very high
estimate. I think that what we may end up doing is pulling
up the particle board ourselves and either paying the installer or having my husband put down the plywood. I am
just not comfortable having the flooring installed over
just the subfloor. I don't believe the subfloor is 3/4"
anyway and that just makes it worse in my opinion! Floorguy, the plywood simply looks like a 4x4 sheet (or something approximating those dimensions); I see no indication that there is T & G by looking at it.
lizdc
19 years ago
I just went through this myself for 400 sq feet. In teh end I didn't need plywood because under the particle board was the original tongue and grove hardwoods. They were sound but painted and scratched up. Fine to nail into. The removable is not rocket science but hard work. Harder on mine because someone had glued them down. If they are quoting high on taking out the particle board I would hire some handyman to do it.