Trimming the floorboard that a stud wall is fixed onto.

mark_cycling00

Hi.
We'd like to replace the ugly pine floorboards in a bedroom with nicer oak wooden floorboards that sit on the floor joists. After taking up the carpet and underlay we realised that there is an internal stud wall that runs parallel to the floorboards. Instead of being flush with the edge of the floorboard, the floorboard extends 3cm out from the internal wall.

We know that the stud wall was installed by a decent builder a few years ago. Will it be possible/safe to trim back the excess floorboard? Otherwise we'll have oak flooring and then 3cm of old pine.

(builders are still very busy so we're finding it hard to get someone to check it out prior to agreeing to do the work)

many thanks

scottishblondie

I would just lay the nice finished flooring on top of the pine subfloor. I don’t see any reason to go to the extra hassle of removing them. 

flashg67

I couldn't see why you cant - presume it can't be covered with skirting at all? Is the new floor thicker than the old floor? f so you could take a thin slice off an  oak board and lay it over the pine  - might not be noticeable if its only an inch wide

fenwick458

where are you getting oak floorboards from?
I'd just put an engineered oak floor on top of the pine floor.

Bendy_House

mark_cycling00 said:

Hi.
We'd like to replace the ugly pine floorboards in a bedroom with nicer oak wooden floorboards that sit on the floor joists. After taking up the carpet and underlay we realised that there is an internal stud wall that runs parallel to the floorboards. Instead of being flush with the edge of the floorboard, the floorboard extends 3cm out from the internal wall.

The stud wall runs parallel to the floorboards, so therefore at right-angle to the joists underneath? In which case that stud wall is fully supported by the joists, and you can trim the floorboard flush along the bottom of the stud (avoiding cutting in to the joists!). There will remain a floorboard strip between the joists and the wall's sole plate, and the wall will be happy.

If I understand the situation incorrectly, please post a photo of what's there.

mark_cycling00

thanks all! The new flooring is suitable as floorboards that sit on joists and so about the same thickness. The house is very old and we'd rather not suddenly add a huge amount of new weight to the sandstone walls if possible. 

Sounds like it could work to trim off that section of the existing floorboards by the wall

Bendy_House

IF it's as you described.
Any chance of a photo?

Bendy_House

Totally understand you don't want to add the new boards on top - that would be super-thick!
Consider adding a draughtproof layer over the joists to keep the room more cosy.

Bendy_House

Oh, and if you remove as much of the old (pitch?) pine boards as possible without damage, I think you'll find significant demand for it.