Underlayment for Hardwood
 

Hello,

Please help me cure my ignorance about installing hardwood flooring. I have a few very novice questions.

I have carpeting in my living room that I am going to replace with prefinished bamboo flooring. I am choosing my materials and contractor now, and I want to have a complete understanding of the options and the work involved.

The carpet is tacked and is sitting on top of what appears to be 1/2" plywood. This appears to be the subfloor, but it it possible that it is a second layer of plywood on top of the plywood subfloor.

I have been reading about the various underlayment options, and I am confused about whether the underlayment is supposed to include a second layer of (good) plywood on top of the subfloor. I am planning to put 15lbs builders' felt directly underneath the bamboo.

So, my questions:
Do I need both the plywood and the felt for the underlayment?
Is this any different if my subfloor is 3/4" plywood rather than 1/2"?
Given that I have carpet (in a home constructed in 1980), is it likely that the tacks are attached directly to the subfloor, or to an underlayment layer on top of it?

Thank you for your help!

You shoud not need another layer of plywood. What style is you floor nail down or floating?
I assuming you float it if it is saying you need underlayment.

Thanks very much!

I am planning on nailing the bamboo planks down.

So it sounds like I just need the plywood subfloor, then the felt, and then the bamboo?

If it is plywood that is good no need for extra, Use 15 mil Tarpaper.

Keep in mind:Bamboo is soft, be easy while you are installing it. get prepared for a few scratchs to pop up.
Set your nailgun so it does not dent edges while you are nailing.