Engineered Hardwood Installation in Marietta, GA

Older houses, and houses that have been remodeled several times, often hide surprises under the floor. For engineered hardwood installation in a Marietta home like that, the condition of what lies beneath matters as much as the planks you pick. Layers of earlier flooring, board subfloors and framing that has shifted over the years all affect how the new floor goes in.

Deciding how far demolition goes

The first decision is where the new floor starts and stops, and what comes out to make room for it. Carpet and pad are simple. Sheet vinyl, old tile or an earlier floating floor may come up, or in some cases the new floor can go over them if the manufacturer allows it. Baseboards may be removed and reset, or left in place with new shoe molding.

If some rooms already have solid hardwood you want to keep, the plan should show how the engineered floor will meet it. Sometimes existing wood is better refinished than replaced; our floor sanding and refinishing page explains that option. Setting these limits in writing keeps the estimate and the work aligned.

Layers of old flooring and what may be under them

It is common to find two or three generations of flooring stacked up: vinyl over vinyl, or tile over a board subfloor patched with thin plywood. Each layer adds height and can hide damage. Removing them down to a sound subfloor usually gives the most predictable result.

One caution applies to older homes. Vinyl tile, sheet vinyl and dark adhesives installed decades ago sometimes contain asbestos. If materials like these are present, they should be tested before anyone sands, scrapes or tears them out, and anything that tests positive is removed by qualified abatement specialists.

Board subfloors and plywood overlays

Many older homes have subfloors made of individual boards, often laid diagonally, instead of plywood sheets. Boards can cup, loosen or leave gaps, and their edges may not line up. Many engineered flooring manufacturers call for a plywood overlay over a board subfloor, particularly for glued or floating installations, so the planks get a flat, continuous base.

The overlay is fastened to the boards on the schedule set by the plywood and flooring instructions. Stapling directly to sound boards may be allowed for some products, but only when the boards are tight and flat and the instructions permit it.

Flat versus level in an older house

Flooring needs a flat surface, not necessarily a level one. A floor that slopes gently across a room can take engineered planks perfectly well, provided there are no humps or dips beyond the manufacturer’s flatness tolerance. Humps are sanded or planed; dips are filled with a leveling compound suited to wood subfloors.

A floor that slopes noticeably, or sags in the middle of a room, is a different matter. Correcting that kind of floor is usually a framing question rather than a flooring one.

Squeaks, bounce and the framing below

Squeaks usually come from subfloor boards or panels rubbing against nails or joists. Before installation, loose areas are screwed down into the framing. Excessive bounce suggests undersized or damaged joists, which may need reinforcing from below by a carpenter before new flooring goes on top.

Plank direction is decided with the framing in mind. On a stapled floor, planks generally run across the joists, while a floating or glued floor over a proper overlay allows more freedom. Moisture readings from the subfloor, and from the crawlspace or basement below, are part of this review, since damp framing affects every method.

Adding height without creating new problems

A plywood overlay plus engineered planks can raise the floor more than the old covering did. That affects door clearance, the step at stairs and the meeting point with rooms that are not being redone. Each is measured before materials are ordered, and a thinner product or overlay may be chosen where height is tight.

Plank dimensions, veneer species and finish, and trim details are chosen next, along with acclimation to the home’s normal conditions. The written estimate lists removal, overlay, repairs, method, transitions, trim and protection of the finished floor, and anything found once demolition opens the floor is described and priced before it is done. If you are considering solid boards, see our solid hardwood installation page.

Permit questions for Marietta homeowners

Marietta is in Cobb County. If your project includes structural repairs such as joist reinforcement, or plumbing or electrical changes, you can check with the City of Marietta Building Division about whether a permit is needed for that part of the work.

Frequently asked questions about older subfloors

Do I need a plywood layer over an old board subfloor?

Often, yes. Many engineered flooring manufacturers require or recommend a plywood overlay over board subfloors, especially for glued and floating installations, because individual boards can move and leave uneven edges. Some products may be stapled directly to tight, flat boards. The instructions for the flooring you choose decide the question, and we check them before quoting.

How can I tell if old vinyl flooring contains asbestos?

You cannot tell by looking at it. The only way to know is to have a sample tested by a qualified lab or inspector. If your home has older vinyl tile, sheet vinyl or dark adhesive and you are unsure how old it is, testing before removal is the safe step. If the result is positive, removal should be handled by abatement specialists.

Can a sloping floor be fixed during flooring installation?

Minor dips and humps can be corrected with sanding, planing and leveling compound as part of floor preparation. A floor that slopes significantly or sags usually reflects movement in the framing or foundation, and correcting it is structural work. We point out what we see and recommend having the framing evaluated before new flooring is installed over it.

Arrange a visit in Marietta

Call 404-409-4448 to describe your house and the floors you want to replace. We can look at the existing layers, the subfloor and the framing where it is accessible, then prepare a written estimate.