I have a house that has regular OSB subfloors that have had engineered hardwood glued to them with an excellent glue, do they have to be removed or can you nail an additional layer of engineered hardwood to the top of what is there. It is a large house and they wood is a light maple now and they want to install something a little darker. The wood is in basically good condition except the finish is scratched, ie no wood coming up or squeaks or anything like that. I have dealt with plenty of glue down on wood and concrete but this will bring up the subfloor if removed. Would it be better to kerf everything and remove it or is it possible to lay over. Current wood is likely 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Interested if anyone has seen or done this before I just try it.

Scott

Over a wood subfloor I would feel comfortable going for it. To me, it's just like an extra layer of plywood. That being said...Over concrete would be another story....wouldn't do it. I would just make sure the fastener length is long enough to penetrate securely into the OSB.

First off, why would anyone glue an engineered over wood? Oh well already done. But I would not glue this one but fasten it with 2". Whats the new woods dimensions?

Funny you should ask, but I think it's a matter of where you are. For instance when I was in Florida doing work I never came across an engineered job that was sold as a staple down over a wood subfloor. It never really occurred to me, but I never saw anyone with an engineered stapler either. One day I pulled one out (it was a gift from Jeff Hosking) for a small 12 x 15 foot room and the store owner comes by and says..."that's different."

Incidentally that small room was a struggle. Considering I had no experience with stapling a thin engineered and body positions were all different from other types of installations I was plum tuckered out. After that the stapler was retired for good.

To the current story. Is there a staple long enough to hit the osb? Those standard ones don't penetrate that far if I recall.

[quote="Ken FisherTo the current story. Is there a staple long enough to hit the osb? Those standard ones don't penetrate that far if I recall.[/quote]


Ken, I guess it would depend on the thickness of the new wood. Both my 18ga Bostitch staplers can run 1 1/2 inch staples.