Can you install hardwood flooring over existing hardwood flooring?

Answer 1

It shouldn't be done. Part of the instalation process is testing for humidity and you won't be able to get an accurate reading. It should be places right on top of the concrete floor under the laminate flooring with a layer of padding and vapor barrier plastic in between. I prefer to get them as one piece, less work. Taking out the laminate is also important to identify any uneven spots in the floor and then to fix them. Taking up the laminate is a quick process with the right tool.

Answer 2

NO. There are a raft of issue if you do. The biggest is the after cost of getting it all redone.

The laminate is sitting (normally) on a material like subfloor that stops it moving. The floors expansion and contraction will be at a vastly disffering rate to the wooden top floor ao cracking and splitting will happen.

The laminate needs to come up. Then get to the subfloor itself. This needs to be clear of ANY debris, small holes and inperfection sorted out and a levelling compound used to ensure the floor is level.

If the floor is a wooden one (assuming its a floor not made of concrete) then its wise to cover it in a ply wood about 5 mm thick at a 90 degree direction to the way the boards benare running. This need to be SCREWED down - many use nails but these WIll work loose over time and the woodne flooring will start to become uneaven. Ensure that any issues with the joists are sorted before this is done also as its not the best time to find an issue 3 weeks after the floor is layed. The wooden flooring can be the secret nails to the ply or some now use nail and adhesive (I prefer the latter ) If the floor is a concreate floor it needs to be sealed and completely clean (no little stones or ridges of loose debris). Most people will then use a resin based adhesive to fit the wooden floor down. BUT check with the floor supplier on the type of compund to use as some people will try a water based compund and the wood drinks this in and weeks later when drying occurs your calling the bulder to rip the floor out that split everywhere.

Answer 3

You can; although you may want to use either tar paper or something else to reduce "Squeaks". Remember also that installing a new floor over the existing one is going to raise the new floor up by up to an inch (depending on the flooring); therefore you may be creating trip hazards or other problems.

Answer 4

NWFA - NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Copyright 2007 National Wood Flooring Association Page 15. REVISED APRIL 2008

CHAPTER 10 INSTALLATION OVER EXISTING FLOORSPart I - Existing Floor Requirements

G. Installing wood flooring over an existing wood floor.

A. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations for installation over existing flooring.

1. Sand off old finish and high spots on existing wood floor and prep to clean, dry,

sound, flat subfloor. Repair, re-nail or replace loose flooring products.

2. Over an existing glue-down floor, glue direct to the existing floor. Or, if the thickness

of the floor will allow it, staple to the existing floor. Check with the flooring

manufacturer for recommendations.

3. When installing new wood flooring parallel to an existing solid nail-down floor, add a

minimum of 3/8" underlayment over the existing floor to increase stability. Check with

the flooring manufacturer for recommendations.

4. When installing new wood flooring at a 45- to 90-degree angle to an existing solid

nail-down floor, additional underlayment is not required.

Answer 5

Yes, but you need to lay the floor the opposite direction of the old one.

Answer 6

Yes, you will have to research what is needed to bond the old finish. A floating floor with a sound barrier might be a better option. It would be equal to re-finishing your existing floor...

Answer 7

Yes