What is under the linoleum in 1920s arts and crafts Bungalow?

[Anonymous]

We just bought an Arts and crafts bungalow officially built in 1923 (but according to the papers I saw it could be 1910). We are not moving yet and can't go back to check in the coming 2-3 weeks, but I am curious as to what is usually under the lino in the kitchen? I would expect to find the original hardwood floors (if not stupid owner in the past century ripped them out). But maybe I am dreaming and the original bungalow never had hardwood floors in the kitchen? Anybody knows? (couldn't find clear answer via google search)

[Anonymous]

Usually you'll find about six more layers on linoleum. I doubt if there will be hardwoods underneath -- more likely some other type of subfloor.

[Anonymous]

Just be sure it isn't asbestos before pulling it up. But yes probably hardwoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually you'll find about six more layers on linoleum. I doubt if there will be hardwoods underneath -- more likely some other type of subfloor.

Oh damn I had high hopes..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just be sure it isn't asbestos before pulling it up. But yes probably hardwoods.

Did you experience that or just a guess ?

[Anonymous]

If it isn't hardwood, you will likely be able to put hardwoods in pretty easily. A good floor company can match the new wood to the old wood really well. No one would know that they weren't original.

I'm the PP who said it wouldn't likely be hardwood, but I am not an expert in old homes. I just know that with most of the houses I have helped renovate, the kitchen floor tends to be a subfloor made up of wood -- but not the kind of hardwood that you would find in the rest of the house. I have mostly had experience in pretty modest homes, though. So perhaps if the house you are buying was considered more "high end", it may have hardwoods underneath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it isn't hardwood, you will likely be able to put hardwoods in pretty easily. A good floor company can match the new wood to the old wood really well. No one would know that they weren't original.

I'm the PP who said it wouldn't likely be hardwood, but I am not an expert in old homes. I just know that with most of the houses I have helped renovate, the kitchen floor tends to be a subfloor made up of wood -- but not the kind of hardwood that you would find in the rest of the house. I have mostly had experience in pretty modest homes, though. So perhaps if the house you are buying was considered more "high end", it may have hardwoods underneath.

This was our experience with our 1940s house- there WAS wood underneath that essentially flowed into the next room (which was hardwood) but it was definitely more of a subfloor and had been under layers of linoleum and tile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it isn't hardwood, you will likely be able to put hardwoods in pretty easily. A good floor company can match the new wood to the old wood really well. No one would know that they weren't original.

I'm the PP who said it wouldn't likely be hardwood, but I am not an expert in old homes. I just know that with most of the houses I have helped renovate, the kitchen floor tends to be a subfloor made up of wood -- but not the kind of hardwood that you would find in the rest of the house. I have mostly had experience in pretty modest homes, though. So perhaps if the house you are buying was considered more "high end", it may have hardwoods underneath.

Thanks ! Not a particularily high end home but what I understood from the house inspector to be "a good quality arts and crafts from teh 20s" whatever that mean..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it isn't hardwood, you will likely be able to put hardwoods in pretty easily. A good floor company can match the new wood to the old wood really well. No one would know that they weren't original.

I'm the PP who said it wouldn't likely be hardwood, but I am not an expert in old homes. I just know that with most of the houses I have helped renovate, the kitchen floor tends to be a subfloor made up of wood -- but not the kind of hardwood that you would find in the rest of the house. I have mostly had experience in pretty modest homes, though. So perhaps if the house you are buying was considered more "high end", it may have hardwoods underneath.

This was our experience with our 1940s house- there WAS wood underneath that essentially flowed into the next room (which was hardwood) but it was definitely more of a subfloor and had been under layers of linoleum and tile.

Were you able to restore it or did you change it ?

[Anonymous]

Sub floor made of wood. Usually a softer wood so not as desirable in highly trafficked area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it isn't hardwood, you will likely be able to put hardwoods in pretty easily. A good floor company can match the new wood to the old wood really well. No one would know that they weren't original.

I'm the PP who said it wouldn't likely be hardwood, but I am not an expert in old homes. I just know that with most of the houses I have helped renovate, the kitchen floor tends to be a subfloor made up of wood -- but not the kind of hardwood that you would find in the rest of the house. I have mostly had experience in pretty modest homes, though. So perhaps if the house you are buying was considered more "high end", it may have hardwoods underneath.

This was our experience with our 1940s house- there WAS wood underneath that essentially flowed into the next room (which was hardwood) but it was definitely more of a subfloor and had been under layers of linoleum and tile.

We had the same experience.

[Anonymous]

It could be a hart pine subfloor, which is pretty when cleaned up, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

[Anonymous]

Ours was original wood. Heart pine.

[Anonymous]

My parents found original wood under maybe 8 layers of linoleum in their 1920s house kitchen.

[Anonymous]

OP here: after more research apparently there is also some asbestos issues in the paint/glue of the different layers? Sanding the wood ourselves if ever we find it would be very dangerous? Anybody confirms that?