Engineered Hardwood Installation in Decatur, GA

One of the first decisions in any engineered hardwood project is what to do with the floor that is already there. Some old floors can stay and serve as a base; others have to come out. For Decatur homeowners, we make that call during the estimate visit, because it shapes the cost, the finished height and the installation method.

Tear out the old floor or cover it?

Covering an existing floor saves demolition and disposal, but only if the old surface is firmly attached, flat and approved as a base by the flooring manufacturer. Some engineered products may float over well-adhered sheet vinyl or ceramic tile, while others require the original subfloor.

Removal is usually the better choice when the old floor is loose, cracked, cushioned or soft, when it would raise the new floor too high at doorways, or when we need to see the subfloor because of past leaks. Carpet always comes out. We explain the reasoning for your rooms and put the chosen approach in writing.

Subfloor condition under whatever comes up

When the old floor is removed, the subfloor becomes the foundation for everything else. On a wood subfloor we tighten loose panels, replace damaged sections and sand high seams. On a slab we look for cracks, high ridges and old glue residue that would interfere with new adhesive.

Flatness is checked against the manufacturer’s tolerance, and any correction, whether grinding, sanding or filling, is listed on the estimate.

Door clearance and exterior thresholds

Each layer you add raises the floor. Leaving tile in place and floating wood over it can lift the surface enough that interior doors drag and exterior doors no longer clear their thresholds. We measure every doorway on the first visit so these effects are known before you choose an approach.

Interior doors can be trimmed at the bottom. Exterior thresholds may need adjusting or replacing so the door still seals against weather, and that work is included in the scope when needed.

Underlayment for floating and glued floors

A floating floor needs an approved underlayment pad. Over concrete or tile, the pad either has a vapor retarder built in or goes on top of a separate film. Glue-down floors use adhesive instead of a pad, and some adhesives also block moisture. Staple-down floors over plywood typically get underlayment paper or felt beneath the planks.

The manufacturer’s instructions name which underlayments and adhesives are compatible, and we choose from those.

Method and moisture control

Moisture testing comes before installation, whatever the method. Wood subfloors are checked with a meter, and slabs get whichever test the manufacturer specifies. If readings are too high, we add moisture protection or address the source first.

The method then follows from the base. Plywood allows stapling, gluing or floating. Concrete allows gluing or floating. An existing hard floor generally allows only floating, and only when the manufacturer approves it. Solid boards are a different case, since they are nailed and need a wood subfloor; see solid hardwood floor installation in Decatur.

Protecting finished sections

As each room is completed, it is covered with breathable floor protection. Cutting is done away from finished areas, and nothing is dragged across the surface. If other work follows the floor, such as painting baseboards, that work happens on top of the protection.

Permit questions in Decatur

Decatur is in DeKalb County. If your project expands to include structural, plumbing or electrical changes, the City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division explains how to obtain a permit and can tell you whether one is needed.

Questions about covering an old floor

Can engineered hardwood go over existing ceramic tile?

Sometimes. If the tile is firmly attached, flat, free of cracks and the flooring manufacturer approves installation over tile, a floating engineered floor can go on top with the right underlayment. Deep grout lines may need filling first. The added height must still allow doors and appliances to clear. If any of those conditions fail, removing the tile is the better route.

Is it okay to float engineered planks over old vinyl?

It can be, when the vinyl is a single layer, well glued down and not cushioned, and the manufacturer allows it. Loose seams, bubbles or a soft cushioned backing make a poor base and should be removed. Older vinyl or its adhesive may need testing before it is disturbed, so we talk through that before deciding to remove it.

Do exterior door thresholds need changing?

Not always, but they need checking. If the new floor sits higher than the old one, the door may scrape or stop sealing against its threshold. Sometimes an adjustable threshold can be raised. In other cases it is replaced or a transition piece is added. We measure each exterior door before you choose a product.

Ready to look at your floor?

Not sure whether your current floor can stay? Call 404-409-4448 and tell us what is down now. On a visit we measure, look at the existing floor and doorways, and put the recommended approach in a written estimate.