I have a 35 year old house & want to replace carpeting with 3/4" solid T&G oak hardwood (3-4"). The area involved is about 650 square feet (3 bedrooms & a hallway).
(1) The floor under the carpet appears to be OSB, but may be particle board. Whatever it is, it is on top of plywood & is very solid. Assuming (a) the floor surface is OSB, can the hardwood be installed (nailed or stapled, whichever is proper) directly on the OSB? If not, what has to be done to use the hardwood, or should I consider another wood flooring product? Assuming (b) the floor is particle board...same questions.
(2) Assuming I can install the hardwood directly over the existing floor, one end of the hallway (about 3.5' wide) will butt up against an existing slate floor. The problem here is that the slate is only about 1/4" above the sub-floor, so the 3/4" hardwood will be at least 1/2" higher than the slate. I know there are transition pieces, but are they available, & will they work & look well, for such a height difference?
Thanks for any advice.
(1) The floor under the carpet appears to be OSB, but may be particle board. Whatever it is, it is on top of plywood & is very solid. Assuming (a) the floor surface is OSB, can the hardwood be installed (nailed or stapled, whichever is proper) directly on the OSB? If not, what has to be done to use the hardwood, or should I consider another wood flooring product? Assuming (b) the floor is particle board...same questions.
(2) Assuming I can install the hardwood directly over the existing floor, one end of the hallway (about 3.5' wide) will butt up against an existing slate floor. The problem here is that the slate is only about 1/4" above the sub-floor, so the 3/4" hardwood will be at least 1/2" higher than the slate. I know there are transition pieces, but are they available, & will they work & look well, for such a height difference?
Thanks for any advice.