[Greenbuilding] flooring conundrum

[Alan Abrams]

<wiggly plywood sub  
floor, with an inch of height variation overall. Variability in the sub
floor is as much as 1/2" in 

  I had intended to install a walnut floor, milled from a yard tree I  
took down years ago, but I'm afraid the out of level condition makes  
hardwood out of the question. >


having worked on older and old houses for 3 decades (and as many wives in
the same time) I've learned the value of forgiveness of minor defects; 1/2"
in 3' is noticeable but not tragic, unless perhaps one is a high stakes
billiard player.  I'd go with the walnut in a heartbeat; I'll wager that a
well milled plank with nice average length will abate the worst of the
topography.

-AA