Q: One visitor asked, "We are planning on installing solid hardwood in the kitchen and dining room of our 7 year old home (purchased by us 6 months ago), but won't be able to afford it for a year or so. I understand that we have to install solid hardwood over 3/4" plywood. I'd like to go ahead and install the plywood now (before I paint our ugly kitchen cabinets). I'd paint the plywood floor . But can I then put hardwood down over the painted plywood?"

A: You already have at least a 3/4 subfloor installed of some sort. If this subfloor is chip board, then you will need to install some real wood plywood over top, screwed to the joists. 3/8 plywood should be fine for this. Painting the subfloor will have no effect on installing solid hardwood over top. As long as you are using a nail down product, rather than a glue down, it is OK to paint the subfloor.