Time for a new floor

Dizzy_Grey

My living room floor is pine boards probably about 90years old. The floor has been cut up a few times so isn't really nice anymore and needs renewing.
We moved in 25 years ago and the floor was covered with meter square sheets of board, shiny on one side, textured on the other. Then carpeted. In my zeal I took the square boards up and stained the floorboards. For years there has been a soft area in the centre. It's getting worse now.
One quote I got said they think a joist is missing ad they would put a new joist in and lay new pine floorboards. I intend to paint them white.

I asked another visiting carpenter today.He said we could basically lay again those meter squared sheets down then lay new floorboards on top. That would help with insulation I think beacuse the house is built with a space underneath it then just on sand. That's normal here in The Netherlands.
Or we could take up the existing boards, replace the joist if one is missing and lay new floorboards.
The first option would be cheaper he said.
I'm looking for a reasonable not a fabulous solution.

It's complicated by a damp smell that I noticed in one corner that seems to have totally gone now.

Is it normal to lay one floor on top of an older floor?
Thanks.

john26

By soft I imagine there is some flex/movement which is likely the joist is missing or no longer fixed to the wall possibly the end rotted. That joist will need replacing or you will always have the same problem. Not too expensive since you're already taking the floor up

I'm looking at floor insulation at the moment, hence I came across your post, I would have insulation installed between the joists while the floorboards are out. If like us you will have bare floorboards, there is likely to be a draft.

Might be worth looking into damp smell while you have access to the void also. Speak to specialists in advance, you don't want this job to drag on any longer than need be.

jc808

make sure theres ventilation under there too