Walls before floors? or vice versa?

[jonothon]

I'm floating floors on these little U shaped neoprene "U-boats." I've always assumed that the floor would be last, but now i wonder if it really makes any difference. I'm waiting on electrical and HVAC people before i hang drywall, so I could actually be making floor progress while I'm waiting, if it made no difference.

Better for the drywall to rest on the new raised deck, or rest on the old one?

 

[frederic]

I'm floating floors on these little U shaped neoprene "U-boats." I've always assumed that the floor would be last, but now i wonder if it really makes any difference. I'm waiting on electrical and HVAC people before i hang drywall, so I could actually be making floor progress while I'm waiting, if it made no difference.

Better for the drywall to rest on the new raised deck, or rest on the old one?

Building the floor first, or last, makes no real difference. I've done it both ways.

Just don't put down the final top surface, whether it be carpeting, tile, or hardwood planks until all of the rest of the work is done. This way the finish won't be damaged by dropped hammers, saws, bent ladders, etc.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

I always thought the BESt way to do it was to float the floor and then build walls onto that floated floor... is that not the case?

Velvet

 

[John Sayers]

for a fully floating room you should go floors first and then the frames then sit on it. That way all the structure is isolated from the floor by the rubber pucks.

cheers
john

 

[Transputer]

jonothon

What spacing are you using with the auralex u boats ? I read over on the Auralex site that they can be used on up to a 32" centre, increasing LF isolation. I'm interested as the U boats are now on sale in the UK. Pity we pay on the pound what you guys pay on the dollar...

Cheers

 

[jonothon]

Transputer, I've got a few boxes of the auralex u-boats, haven't decided on spacing. I've been meaning to check out the Auralex site to find out what they recommend. 32" sounds good to me. I'll report here as i put in the floor, still several weeks away, i guess. I think I'll let the electricians and HVAC guys finish their stuff before I go back on the attack.

BTW, it pays to shop around a bit, I had extremely varying estimates by 3 electricians and 2 HVAC people. and in each case, oddly enough, I liked and respected most the lowest estimate guys!!!

I can handle the walls, as I've done everything else up to this point, but the next question is whether to handle the floors too. I've never put in a hardwood floor.