Fitting hardwood flooring to existing, or original floorboards, in most cases, is a relatively straightforward and effective installation option. That said, because existing, or original floorboards are often made of softwood, it is highly likely that they will have bowed, cupped or shrunk, which means that the surface may have become irregular. If your existing or original floorboards are very irregular it may be worth considering a screed or introducing a plywood or chipboard sub floor to improve the stability of your new floor.
In most instances, some irregularity in your existing or original floor shouldn’t pose a major problem if you’re planning to fit a hardwood floor which is at least, and preferably over, 18mm thick. Assuming you have chosen a hardwood flooring option which is 18mm thick ore more, in most instances, it will be a straightforward case of fixing the new boards directly to the old boards.
While there are 3 main methods of installation for hardwood flooring (gluing, floating and nailing), the best method to use when fitting hardwood flooring to existing or original floorboards is the secret nailing method. Secret nailing involves putting nails through the tongue of the wooden boards. Those nails are then covered when the groove is butted up to the secured board. It is important, when planning the installation, to make sure that you lay new boards at 90 degrees to the old, existing boards to ensure stability.
If you are in doubt about the suitability of your existing or original floorboards for the fitting of your new hardwood floor, or you don’t, for any reason want to lay your boards in a perpendicular direction to the existing floor, then it may be worth considering fitting plywood or chipboard base to create a more stable sub floor.
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FAQ
1. Can hardwood flooring be fitted to existing or original floorboards?
Yes, fitting hardwood flooring to existing, or original floorboards, is often a straightforward and effective installation option. However, keep in mind that these floorboards, often made of softwood, might have bowed, cupped or shrunk, potentially creating an irregular surface.
2. What should be done if the existing floorboards are very irregular?
If your existing or original floorboards are very irregular, you might want to consider introducing a screed or adding a plywood or chipboard subfloor to improve the stability of your new floor.
3. What thickness should the new hardwood flooring be when fitting to existing or original floorboards?
If you’re planning to fit a hardwood floor over existing or original floorboards, the new flooring should be at least 18mm thick, and preferably over, to ensure stability even if some irregularity exists in the old floorboards.
4. What is the recommended method for fitting hardwood flooring to existing or original floorboards?
The best method for fitting hardwood flooring to existing or original floorboards is the secret nailing method. This involves putting nails through the tongue of the wooden boards, which are then covered when the groove is butted up to the secured board.
5. How should new hardwood flooring boards be laid in relation to the existing floorboards?
When installing new hardwood flooring over existing or original floorboards, it’s important to lay the new boards at 90 degrees to the old ones. This cross-laying ensures better stability for the new floor.