Installing Wood In A Guest House

Bob H

I am going to be installing newly milled, old yellow pine, flooring in a small house that will only be heated a few times a year. The boards are 3/4 X 10" tong and groove. The sub floor is solid pine 3/4 X 4"run on the diagonally with a second layer running perpendicular to the joists.
My concern is that the house is going to be used mainly as a guest house. It will only be heated to about 50 degrees most of the winter and then for a few days the temperature will be raised to 70.
What is the best way to keep this floor from bowing?

Donedat

Unless your wood is kiln dried, you really can't prevent it. It's gonna do what it wants to.

If it is kiln dried, then maintaining a constant humidity level will help. Pick and number between 40 and 60 percent and keep it there. This is done by adding moisture or removing moisture in the air. Sometimes all it takes is maintaining the heat somewhere between 65 and 70 degrees. Other times you may need to install a humidifier or a dehumidifier to your home.

Any HVAC people out there?

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Bob H

The wood is dried, but I don't think I can convince the owner to keep the temperature much above 50. Is there any advantage to using a flexible adhesive or will that just end up splitting the boards?

Donedat

Adhesive will not prevent warpage. If I were you I would walk away from the job. The owner is dictating the job to you, it should be the other way around especially when moisture is concerned. Your reputation is on the line.

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Donedat

Carpet and tile is probably the best way to go here. Even then they should still watch the humidity, but not quite as important as it would be with wood flooring.

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Marco

Depends on more than just the temp. 50 degrees may not be too bad if its relatively steady. How much moisture is in the air? Talk to the supplier, they should know the characteristics of that wood the best.

adams,b

Pine is prone to moving around a lot. I would let it acclamate to the relative humidity of the job, but it will move and you need to make this very clear to the hm. owner. That being said, I dont mean "bowing", just expanding and contracting is all I think it will do. It will get some cracks, seasonal.

Tom R

I'm thinking you mean 'cupping', not bowing, - - but anyway, - - as adams,b said, - - it's going to move somewhat anyway (width-wise), especially being 10".

As far as trying to avoid any cupping, - - if it's 'vertical-grained', no problem, - - but if it's 'flat-sawn', - - I'd alternate the 'up-or-down' registration of the 'bark-edges' (to 'widen' any planal variation), - - then if necessary it can still be sanded flatter later, after it eventually neutralizes.

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adams,b

I thought about it some more, You need to face nail it as well, Or screw and peg it. This will eliminate cupping for sure; But no expanding and contracting.

Donedat

I really have to differ with you here. If the floor is going to crown or cup or twist, nothing will stop it. Not screws, not glue. The only reason you might screw and glue is to help limit horizontal movement. That's it.

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Bob H

Why do you think face nailing and glue wouldn't help reduce cupping? I understand we will get some gapping and checking, that is part of the "old" look they want.

adams,b

I dont think you should worry about it if you screw it and peg it. If starts to cup too much after doing all the necessary things there may be more problems than that. Put 6-mil poly under the house and use 30# felt paper under your wood.

Donedat

I don't know the scientific reason, but when wood decides to cup, crown, or twist it just does it. The screws and glue will only help prevent side to side movement. But when you add moisture to the equation, the force of the wood on the screw will cause splits, and if it is glued to the subfloor, you may see some splits but remember the glue is only as strong as the subfloor.

Play it safe, get your moisture under control before installing any wide plank flooring. Where I live I am surrounded by water. Those flooring contractors who ignore moisture issues have a lot of call backs around here.

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