follow the installation, preparation, and subfloor requirements of the wood flooring and adhesives (if gluing down) manufacturer(s) to the letter. If they guaranttee that type installation and the floor is in suitable condition, then yes. if not, then no. Ideally, it is to be removed.

jeannie, We have Bruce Turlington Maple 5" engineered planks. This is in their "better" series, 15-year warranty, as opposed to their "good" series (10 years) and their "best" (25 years). It looked great when it was first installed, but it's very easily dented and scratched. Plus, maple tends to show everything since there's not a lot of grain in it. See if you can find something that's somewhat more durable and has more natural grain to hide scratches better.

I installed engineer hardwood floor on top of existing hardwood floor but forgot to but glue between groove. Is it going to be a problem later on? This is not interlock plank. Thank you!. Here is the product http://www.builddirect.com/Engineered-Hardwood-Floors/Maple---Dark-Chocolate/ProductDisplay_8804_p1_10071539.aspx?bdpdp=new

It sounds like this floor covering will never be able to come up for replacement. I am not able to process that for a surface coating. How about some nice tar paper or other reasonable barrier instead? And why would you want to trap moisture or spills on the bottom side? That is not allowed on a vertical installation of wood, so why here in the horizontal application? Dry wood lasts, and holds its finish. There is a hvac space below so it is not exposed to moist air? That moisture barrier thinking for a second story flooring confuses me. Is the glue in the osb insufficient? I thought it was rated for construction exposure to weather, and that is pretty good by itself. Is there a plan to edge treat the tongue and groove to prevent squeeks from polished lignin over time? At least a wax? That hardwood is dense with lignin is why I ask. And that subfloor is probably not 2 layers glued and screwed, but I read it was glued to the joists so that is a plus. But unless it is thick it will move a lot. If it is thick it will move but very little. The movement will polish the mating surfaces and thus noise. Also, The wider the board, the more the expansion. even quartersawn. What is your expectation of joint expansion across the year? The very building itself can grow and shrink is why I ask. I assume it will be coated in plastic poly sealant instead of oiled?