Installing Hardwood Floors

kje7713

I would like to install Prefinished Natural Hickory across a living room, dining and kitchen area. I have a quarter inch plywood subfloor over 16 on center 9x1.5 joists with ten foot spans.

Do I need to put anything down over the plywood first before installing?

Any concern with prefinished hardwood in a kitchen area?

joecaption

I'm 100% sure you do not have 1/4 subfloor or you would be falling through the floors.
You have 1/4" underlayment.
What's under that?
Tar paper or kraft paper goes down before the flooring goes in.
Is there a crawl space under where this flooring is going?
If so make sure there's a 6 mil. plastic vaper barrier down before installing the flooring.
Leave the flooring in the room it's going to be installed in as long as possible with the boxes open to allow it to acclimate to the humidy and temp. of the room.

JazMan

If you had 1/4" ply as the subfloor, you'd be contacting us from the hospital having a sex change/repair maybe?

Let us know what Joe asked.

Sure many. I swore never to put hardwood in my kitchen, (being a tile guy and all). Well, that will probably change this spring. Complete kitchen redo, etc. But, if we had little ones or a dog, that would not happen. So, if no kids, no pets and no shoes, you may be fine.

Jaz

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zakany

Yay for someone else installing hickory!

Did you mean 3/4-inch, or do you have an underlayment on top of your subfloor?

Depends on what's under it. I'm a fan of Aquabar. It's a paper-tar-paper sandwich that is lighter and cleaner than tar paper. More expensive.

I prefer tile for any wet (or potentially wet) areas. I know that wood looks great, but if the refrigerator water line splits, or the dishwasher leaks, etc. then you'll wish you just had tile. I'm also a fan of running tile under your cabinets. For leaks as well as to provide a solid, level base for your kitchen.

JohninSC

We have had no issues with our hard wood floors, we 2 small dogs but they have not scratched it anywhere. The only thing I have done is drop a knife one time point down, but you would never find it. We have Brazilian koa 3/4" solid hardwood been down for 2 years now.

Seattle2k

We also have brazilian koa in our kitchen (and dining room, and family room). Ours has finally darkened up and looks amazing. After a year, I have no regrets of installing wood in the kitchen.

drtbk4ever

We installed prefinished Brazilian Sucupera hardwood in our living/dining/family/kitchen. We LOVE IT.

We have a medium sized dog and yes, he has scratched the finish on the floors in numerous areas. Especially by the patio doors when he saw a cat.

So far no regrets.

The only concern is if we ever have a dishwasher or fridge leak then I may change my mind.

Some pictures of the wood species (not my house).

Attached Thumbnails

   

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Bill

A DIY Noob that knows just enough to be dangerous.

Awoodfloorguy

Hardwood floors in kitchens is just fine. We do them all the time. You should put an underlay down before the wood floors> As someone else mentioned Aquabar is a good one.

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