Sand original floorboards or install new wooden floor on top?

[Myanna]

Sand original floorboards or install new on top?

The first floor of our house (bedrooms and landing) is currently carpeted, which we want to take up. Beneath is plywood to flatten it out, then presumably original floorboards.

Would you take up the underlay and plywood and sand down floorboards to achieve a nice look, or take advantage of the existing plywood subfloor to install new solid or engineered wood on top?

Do you think going back to original would be too drafty and noisy, even with rugs?

Ground floor already has engineered oak, top bedroom is a loft conversion and will be carpet.

I’ve had both and would definitely choose engineered over original boards. I liked the idea of the original boards but the reality is sticky out nails and edges and spots of brown filler in holes. (As you probably already know as you have it downstairs) Engineered is so good these days that it’s hard to tell the difference.

If the floor boards are really old they might not withstand sanding so I would keep the ply and put engineered wood on top. If the underside of the floorboards are the ceiling for the room below I wouldn't have sanded boards because it's noisy and all stuff falls through (when you're doing building work).

I'd sand the original boards if they are good enough. Such a shame to cover them up.

Sand the original boards. You can always tell the difference and any sticky out bits can be removed in the process.

The only thing that would change my mind is noise levels. As it's upstairs, have you kids thundering around? A couple of layers can noise insulate.

It's astonishing what sanding can do to floorboards, takes it back to original fresh wood. Just get a proffesional in.

We do have little kids so yes noise is an issue to think about

In that instance it might be worth using engineered wood. You've then got two layers to insulate against noise. It will also be warmer if kids in bare foot or sitting on floor.

So, how much would we be looking for nice engineered wood per m? I want it to look solid with character/patina, not obviously engineered or like laminate.

We could replicate what's on the ground floor but I don't love it, and it would probably look better to match the stairs which will be sanded pine (with a runner).

Recommendations very welcome.

We have sanded floors downstairs. I love them but wouldn't consider upstairs and we also get MASSIVE spiders come up in autumn.

Very stressful!!!

Ha, yes to spiders! Our current house has carpet over original Victorian floorboards. We have thought about exposing them but our old house had wood floors and we used to get so many huge spiders in Aug/Sept.

We had none this year here!

But, spiders eat flies and clothes moths so bring on the spiders I say.

I would always vote for original boards in they're in decent condition. First floor boards shouldn't really be drafty but you can always insulate underneath.