Hi, I'm new to this board.

I'm getting ready to redo my spongy and creaky main floor in my 1950ish house. I would like to rip up the old 1/2" x 1 1/2" oak flooring, lay in a new 3/4" plywood subfloor and then reinstall the old Oak. The old wood floors have been under carpet for the last 20 years.

My question is this. Is it worth while trying to re-finish the 1/2" oak or should I just rip it out and install new 3/4"? I previously had removed some hardwood in another room and saved it hoping I'd then have enough extra wood to re-do the main floor.

Oh, I'm not sure if the floors have ever been re-sanded in the past.

What do you think?

Wayne

If the flooring once removed is in good condition and you are beefing up youre floor system with a new subfloor I would find little reason not to reuse the reclaimed flooring.

To reclaim your existing floors, you will need to carefully pry them up without breaking the tongues or grooves. Then all the fasteners (nails and cleats) will need to be removed, not cut off. Then separate the flooring into four piles. Pile one is the wood that has all the t&g intact on all four sides. Pile two is the flooring that the right end has been cut off, has no t&g. Pile three has the left end cut off and no t&g on that end and pile four is the pile of flooring that can't be installed because it is broken or damaged in some way. Once separated into piles, then you can select which wood goes where. Good luck, you'll need it.

Thanks alot for the info. I know it's going to be some work.

I do have another question though.

I'd like to put down 3/4" plywood for the subfloor. What kind should I use?
And should I get tongue and groove or straight edge plywood?

Wayne