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Technically, I am only working with only part of my house, as I will explain.
I used yellow tongue when I found out it could be stained and varnished. Using it to floor a north facing verandah when converting to a sunroom.
However, I was not aware of the waxed coating. At my age and gender I do not relish the idea of wrangling a floorsander for an area of 7m x 2.5m
I believe I gave enough Tassie oak tongue and groove (earmarked for kitchen benches) to cover the sunroom floor.
When I mentioned what I intended to do, I was told that:
(a) battens need to be put down first,
(b) a waterproof membrane needs to be placed between both flooring materials, and
(c) the yellow tongue still needs to be sanded.
Are any of the above eessential?
Should sanding is still be required would a handheld belt sander be able to tackle 17.5sqm?
If I do need to sand could you advise what sealants, stain and varnish to use.
Thank you in advance for your help. Regards Sanni
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Sanni. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing flooring.
Installing Tassie oak flooring over yellow tongue can be done successfully, but there are a few factors to consider to ensure a stable and long-lasting result. The advice you've received about battens, a waterproof membrane, and sanding depends on your specific situation.
Battens are generally used when installing solid timber flooring over concrete or to improve ventilation in subfloor conditions. Since your yellow tongue is already a structural subfloor, battens aren’t strictly necessary. However, they could be beneficial if you want to raise the floor height or improve airflow. If the existing floor is level and in good condition, you can install the Tassie oak directly on top.
A moisture barrier is typically recommended when installing flooring over a subfloor, particularly in areas exposed to dampness. If your sunroom is enclosed and has minimal risk of moisture exposure, a waterproof membrane may not be essential. However, if there is any chance of condensation or moisture rising from below, a breathable underlay, such as builders' paper or an acoustic underlay, can help protect the timber from moisture-related movement. You could add a vapour barrier underneath the structural flooring if it is accessible.
Sanding the yellow tongue is necessary if it has a waxed surface, as this wax can prevent the adhesive from bonding properly. A handheld belt sander should be able to handle 17.5 square metres, though it will take some time. If you plan to nail rather than glue the Tassie oak, sanding is likely not required.
If you are sealing or staining the Tassie oak, it's best to use a high-quality timber sealant, such as a polyurethane or oil-based finish, depending on your desired look and durability needs. For staining, products like Feast Watson Prooftint would be suitable, followed by a clear topcoat such as Cabot’s CFP Floor.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
