I plan on installing hardwood flooring in the dining room, living room, and a hallway. It will be a total of 500 sf. I have three doorways and by using 3/4" planks, 2 of the doorways will be 1/4" lower than a ceramic tile floor and 1 will be flush. If I install 1/4" plywood, then 2 will be flush and 1 will be 1/4" higher than a ceramic tile floor. Is it worth the effort to install the plywood. The existing sub-floor is 5/8" plywood that had a carpet on it for 30 years, the floor is in fair condition and not perfectly level. Do hardwood floors have some built in forgiveness for sub-floors not pefectly level? Also, I'm looking at some exoctic woods like Brazilian Cherry some have suggested Brazilian Teak. The manufacturers I,m considering are WFI, BR111, and Forest Accents. Any thoughts on these companies.][/list]

Joe:


Instead of adding the plywood you could shim some areas near the doorways if I'm reading this right. Check this page for ideas....

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... r-prep.htm