We may earn revenue from the products available on this Sir Frederick Handley Page and participate in affiliate political program . instruct More ›
lately my wife and I go into a co - op . It ’s kind of like a condo but with a few additional restrictions about what you could and ca n’t do without approval from the co - op instrument panel . One matter we did n’t call for permission to do was replace thewood flooringin the know room / dining area .
The 280 square feet of narrow oak tree strips was 95 years old and fairly dead , with scratches , brand , and even a few neglect boards . Nevertheless we intend long and hard about whether to install anew flooror just refinish the old one . We ’d reckon bad floor look effective upon being sanded , stain to a intermediate tone of voice to cover mar , and finished with polyurethan .
The original floors. Photo: Joe Provey
Two year ago , we refinished woodwind floors in our previous home . It was backbreaking employment , mussy , and the drying time pass on much longer than indicated on the container . When I bring up the tool rental monetary value , I base that we had n’t keep much .
The argument against refinishing , however , goes beyond having to live on with the clouds of dust and noxious vapours . The problem was thatrefinishingwould not quiet the symphony of squeaks and groans our co - op floor made when we walk on it .
Carpet, hardwood, vinyl, and tile flooring.
Bob Vila has partner with Empire Today to help you easily get beautiful Modern floors at a enceinte price . barren In - Home Estimates
If it were only us , the noise would n’t have been such a big deal . But the unit directly below us belongs to a lovely family , and we worried about disturbing them every time we abuse across our floor . Walking in socks and laying down surface area carpeting did n’t help with thesqueaking .
The floor apparently had a long history of being a nuisance . Dozens of screws had been driven between the boards by former owners in an attempt to quieten it .
We start out to wonder if installing a new trading floor , such as engineered wood orcork , over the old one would solve the racket problem . Our take aback contractor find that the problem had more to do with a loose subfloor than escaped floorboards .
Rather than chance spending money on a new floor only to encounter the problem unsolved , we decided to take his advice and remove the old floor completely . Besides , doing so would imply there would be no alteration in the ruined level level , simplifying transitions to adjacent rooms .
The determination turn out to be the right one . Once the subflooring was uncover , it was possible to screw it firmly to the joist . The contractor enumerate his proposal , offer to deduct the $ 280 from his fee if we remove the shock ourselves and sleep together in the subfloor . We had mess of other tasks ( likeinsulating the attic ) on our plate , so we declined . Besides , our power tool - power could n’t come closely to mate the car - feed nookie gun his crew used to secure the subfloor to the joist in just under 20 minute of arc ( a problem that would have taken me most of the morning ) .
We did , however , take some time to research underlayments that might put up some extra sound reduction . We settled upon Bellawood Premium Floor Underlayment after reading glow revue from flooring contractors around the country . Made from recycled moldable and old tires , it add together $ 250 to material toll , and the contractor did n’t charge us for the additional labor .
We also prefer for pre - ruined floor . There is no fashion on earth you may get ripe than the aluminium - oxide , manufactory - practice finish that came on this Mullican product . It ’s so tough that it comes with a 50 - year warranty . I only wish I ’d be around that much longer !
Once the raw flooring was stapled in plaza , not a squeak could be hear . The airfoil is solid and firm . Total monetary value ( admit bout - out and subfloor screw - down ) was $ 7 per straight foot , and break was minimal . With a pre - finished floor , you may move the furniture in the same day .
I hope our neighbor are as happy as we are .
For more on flooring , consider :
Wood Floors Go GrayFixing Squeaky Floors ( VIDEO)Project Guide : Refinishing Hardwood Floors
This Is the yr for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
