We're often asked; can cork underlayment work to reduce noise from the upstairs floors before we install new solid hardwood? Or... can I use the standard roll stuff that comes in 1/4" thickness?
The answer lies in a few questions asked first. In the case of the example above we're dealing with a standard 3/4" plywood subfloor where the new hardwood will be nailed or stapled. If you're seeking to eliminate squeaks that are now heard under the carpeting cork is not the answer. But once some repairs are made to the squeaky areas cork will definatly muffle or quiet and sometimes eliminate foot traffic sounds. It is not exact as other factors come into play.
For instance. If the subfloor is uneven, boards will have a tendency to rub against one another, or up and down. Cork underlayment will suppress the noise but it will be heard when walking on that upstairs flooring area. For the underlayment to work effectively one needs a flat subfloor substrate to work with.
Okay. But You're Adding 1/4 of an Inch Under The New Hardwood. Will the Fasteners Hold?
This one is up for debate. Considering a standard flooring staple or nail used for plywood over floor joists systems is two inches in length and penetrates 3/4" plywood by approximately 3/8 of an inch, you're not really losing anything. On the other hand, if you're nailing through the plywood into the joist system (which I rarely see being done) you do lose some of the grabbing power of the joist system.
All are welcome for debate!
1 comments:
I had installed 4mm cork sheets under my ash solid hardwood flooring two years ago. My insallers seem to have done a good job until about 3 weeks later when the squeaks begun. At first it was in just a few areas, but it seemed to spread. I fought for almost a year and a half to have them try to fix it. They advised me it was due to the cork and nothing to do with their workmanship. The level of the 3/4" subfloor is good, moisture is good,...Finally today (almost 1 1/2 years later) are being pulled up and repaired. Needless to say the bare subfloor seems to be where the squeeking was coming from. They had used a nail gun to secure it down, before laying the cork and hardwood. Unfortunately the cork was distroyed in the pull up and they are trying to convince me not go with cork again. They are still not convinced that the cork wasn't a factor to the squeaks. They are telling me that the cork lifts the hardwood and thus it can not get properly secured down. I think it's because they would have to rebuy the cork at an additional loss to them. This was something I purchased outside of them and if they do not have to replace, it's better for them....I am lost and confused.
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