New flooring and squeak reductions

[Darren Wright]

New flooring was delivered this week, about 1860 sq ft total. These pics I took to show my wife what it looks like with all of the various trims, panels, and cabinets in the house. I had picked it out using some small stain pieces I too to the store with me, so wanted final sign off from SWMBO. As you can see, lighting does make a difference. The kitchen currently has fluorescent lights, but will be changing those over to LED with a bit warmer tone. Many of the led bulbs in the house are also in the 5000k to 6500k range, and I prefer the 2700k - 3000k range myself, so will update those as we change out fixtures.


She gave the stamp of approval, so install has commenced.


Before installing I walked the hall and ran 2” construction screws into the subfloor to eliminate any squeaks. I was still hearing several as I walked the hallway, but had already gotten most of the subfloor screwed. It then occurred to me that it may be the nails in the bottom plates of the walls making the squeaks.

Since the basement is unfinished. I went down and ran several screws up through the subfloor into the wall plates, sure enough it killed the rest of the squeaks.

 

[glenn bradley]

I was amazed at how involved selecting flooring can be. We picked three patterns only to find them no longer available (three different times) once we had decided. For squeaking floors I've also used white graphite like you use for sticky door/key mechanisms. Talc can also work but tends to "pump" up and mark clothing or pets.