Laying floorboards

[foxile5]

Brain trust of FT, 

 

I've an attic room with unrestorable floorboards. I want to keep a wooden floor and have been thinking about relaying them. 

 

Would it be better to take up the old boards and start again or lay over the top? 

 

Is this something a man with little DIY ability would find doable? 

 

Any advice greatly received! 

[Parafox]

No expert but I have done similar and found it easier to rip out the old boards and start afresh as long as the joists are in good condition. Laying over the top will increase the chance of any fungus or dry rot that may be present in the old boards leeching into anything you lay on top as well as increasing wear and squeaking/rubbing between the layers.

To quote an old song you probably don't know, "Rip It Up an Start Again".

It's definitely doable if I can do it. Just remember, when your cutting the boards, or anything else, measure twice, cut once. To quote:

"In the carpentry trade, it literally means 'one should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood: otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material. ' In essence though, it means to plan and prepare thoroughly and carefully before taking action".

Another thing I'd suggest is use screws not nails to fix the boards. Screws hold them down better and won't displace like nails do over time.

IMO DIY should be renamed LIY. Learn It Yourself. 

Edited 24 October 2021 by Parafox

[jgtuk]

If you want the cheapest way and the existing floor is fairly flat and level, then use ply and a flooring of your choice. As Parafox says though, removing the old stuff will give you the opportunity not only to treat the joists and check for nasties but also to add insulation if necessary. It’s a relatively easy diy job normally.

[yorkie1999]

Rip em up and start again, and use screws instead of nails

[drumbeat]

Another vote for screws, nails can lift/pop.

 

I'd spend a bit of time checking for, and evening up, levels too, before laying boards. It can be a pain in the bum and take a while but it is worth doing, and makes laying the boards themselves a tad easier, and the finish is both more secure and more attractive. If screwing, I'd also drill holes first to avoid boards splitting.

 

I've redone a few floors now. One, a group and floor, I removed the old ceramic tiles, dug out the floor, insulated, a new concrete foundation was pourded then I battened and boarded - at each stage, more and more precise levelling was done. You'll not get it 100% spot-on but as close as dam it. Worth it in the end (especially the insulation).

 

An upstairs floor was on old wooden joists. There, I laid a particle board sub floor over the joists and screwed boards to that. The levelling on that took patience as the old joists had developed 'character' over the years!

 

Edit: as I was drilling boards first, I had two cordless drills on the go, to avoid having to continually change bits. Then I'd hand tigthen screws the last bit just for the more accurate/sensitive feel. You can tell I'm no pro but I know it! I took my time and played safe because I'm not experienced, didn't know tricks of the trade.

 

Edited 24 October 2021 by drumbeat

[jgtuk]

Another bonus if removing old floor is that you can get to cables and pipework and fit new, or move, electrical sockets and radiators.

[Parafox]

2 hours ago, yorkie1999 said:

Rip em up and start again, and use screws instead of nails

 

Edited 24 October 2021 by Parafox

[yorkie1999]

4 hours ago, drumbeat said:

Another vote for screws, nails can lift/pop.

 

I'd spend a bit of time checking for, and evening up, levels too, before laying boards. It can be a pain in the bum and take a while but it is worth doing, and makes laying the boards themselves a tad easier, and the finish is both more secure and more attractive. If screwing, I'd also drill holes first to avoid boards splitting.

 

I've redone a few floors now. One, a group and floor, I removed the old ceramic tiles, dug out the floor, insulated, a new concrete foundation was pourded then I battened and boarded - at each stage, more and more precise levelling was done. You'll not get it 100% spot-on but as close as dam it. Worth it in the end (especially the insulation).

 

An upstairs floor was on old wooden joists. There, I laid a particle board sub floor over the joists and screwed boards to that. The levelling on that took patience as the old joists had developed 'character' over the years!

 

Edit: as I was drilling boards first, I had two cordless drills on the go, to avoid having to continually change bits. Then I'd hand tigthen screws the last bit just for the more accurate/sensitive feel. You can tell I'm no pro but I know it! I took my time and played safe because I'm not experienced, didn't know tricks of the trade.

 

I did the whole upstairs and attic with particle board, used pu adhesive which expands so any unevenness in the joists is taken care of and screwed everything down cos I never wanted another creaking floor again, takes some time but it’s well worth it, floor boards are shite.