Cutting top subfloor

shelkol

Hi,

'We' want to put a hardwood floor in the kitchen. Full 3/4 " prefinished oak.

Current floor: subfloor, I assume a second layer of subfloor, linoleum, 1/4" ply, linoleum.

As I see it I have two choices.

1. I can remove the top linoleum and 1/4" ply and put the hardwood over the old linoleum butting it up to the cabinets and walls. This may leave me with too little height for the dishwasher and stove.

2. I can cut through to and leave the bottom subfloor and put the wood floor on it. I would set the circular saw to the proper depth and then cut maybe 2' squares and remove the olld floor. But how do I cut flush with the sides / kick of the cabinet?

I kinda like option 2 if I can figure out how to make the cuts.

I am an accomplished wood worker and have made many peices of furniture etc.

Thanks in advance
Sheldon

jcalvin

might want to make sure what you have for subfloor before you go to cutting anything. most likely you have floor joists then subfloor then linoleum then 1/4 ply then the newest linoleum. if the 3/4 is going to put the dishwasher and make the stove too high for the countertop, you will have to address that. the best way to go about it is to loosen all the cabinets and put the hardwood under it and everything works out fine. in some cases, i have some people that raise the countertops with 3/4 spacers. bad thing about this is it leaves a gap that doesn't look to good and i don't like it. i have torn out kitchens before that have 3/4 ply under the cabinets to save putting the h'wood under them if the wallet isn't thick enough.

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bjbatlanta

A tool such as the Fein MultiMaster (feintools.com) will allow you to make the flush cut. There are others who make a similar tool for less, such as Dremel and Bosch. Check the mfgr's. specs for what you need as far as subfloor before you take too much out. Depending on the age of the house you might want to check the linoleum for asbestos before you tear out. Top layer is likely ok, first layer may be suspect.....

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shelkol

Thanks,

I'm assuming there is 3/4 underlayment as the three adjoining rooms all have 3/4" hardwood and the floors are all flush. I will check that out before currint anything.

The existing cabinets are all built-in-place so would not handle removing and replacing. I made new panel doors and resufaced the existing cabinets 6-7 years ago and am still happy with them. Adding 3/4" to the top would not look good as the face frame is 2-3/4" wide boards already.

The house was built in 1981 and the 1/4" ply wnet down because the installer felt there might be asbestos. If I cut it out I will be using a vacumn on the saw and dust masks just in case. It will be a coarse blade to not raise much fine dust anyway.

bjbatlanta

I can't speak as to flooring, but late '70s asbestos was pretty much not being used any more in drywall products. I don't think it was actually "banned" until right about 1980 (most companies complied voluntarily prior). There was likely some product still being used. You may be safe with the house being built in '81. I'm sure somebody more familiar with flooring will let you know. I'm pretty sure a "multi tool" will get under the toe kick of the cabinet. It won't be a fast process cutting, but should work. Buy some extra blades. When you see them, you'll see that they probably won't stand up to cutting many nails....

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