I am tearing up 12" ceramic tile in an entry, hall, and kitchen area (approx. 500 sf.). The tile is 1/8" thick, with lots of mortar underneath. I really don't want the dust through the whole house if I were to sand the mortar off the underlayment..... so my question is: Can I remove the underlayment and the tile and install the hardwood floor directly on the subfloor, providing the subfloor is level? What is the rule of thumb for levelness? The underlayment is 5/8" plywood, and the subfloor is 1/2" solid pine. Also, I've heard yes and no on putting down felt - is felt necessary?

1) Yes.

2) 1/4" ( low or high )for 10' radius. See also http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... r-prep.htm

3) I certainly would.

Hope that helps,

Thank you for your reply - I want to make sure we do this this right. Just checking: I will have a 1/2" solid pine sub floor, and 15# felt paper on top of that before beginning to lay the 3/4" hardwood. Is this right? Also, we will be laying the hardwood perpendicular to the joists? I appreciate your help!