To run parallel to the floor joists, you must add a layer of 1/2” plywood underlayment or brace every 16” between the joists with a nominal 2” x 6” spf nailed in place. • Circular Saw with blade for cutting plywood. I have seen also where someone used a torch i believe and burnt plywood where it was a darker color, do the finishing nails show or did you use something to cover them? With a larger thread gripping a bigger surface area around them, screws hold your subfloor very tightly – allowing no wiggle room for shifting or loosening. Place the nails that you’re adding to the edge of the plywood at least 1/2 inch from the edge. I swear no one living in farm counrty should have carpet lol) I used garage floor paint and sealed it (this was before having three dogs) it's worn horribly. Share it with us! If the current wood floor is okay, then it may not need an underlayment. Most 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring can be installed using nails or staples over a wood subfloor. • Paint brushes or paint roller. The problem was we needed to do it on the cheap. Once it's all swept up and vacuumed, mop the subfloor to clean it and let it dry. Is that right? We used four coats and it took a day between each coat. This is what we decided to do. Use the recommended thickness of plywood as needed for replacements. The smaller thread on a ring shank, compared to the larger screw thread, doesn’t provide as much grip as the larger one does. Also how far apart did you nail? That's not a cheaper alternative. The wanted spacing between their planks to give the flooring a true farmhouse look so they used nickels as spacers. Do you think I'm on the right track?? I have 2 1/4'' wide birch hardwood floor and I would like to replace it with 3 1/4'' oak hardwood. Senco's. Hmm, don't know why it's looking grainy. Senco offers a Whisper Grip Coil Nail, which can be run through any 15 degree coil framing nailer. We chose the cheapest that fit the criteria but you could spend a bit more and get oak, birch, etc.) But, not all nails are created equal. Make sure you have a sturdy subfloor: 3/4-inch CDX plywood is preferred and 3/4-inch OSB is acceptable. Plywood is one of the most extensively used materials in the construction of houses and furniture making. More like the pneumatic types, they carry flooring nails and a nail-shaped shoe that goes over the planks’ and tongue edges. To seal the floors follow the directions on the polyurethane. I bet that stain looks great. Monday - Friday: Choosing the right subfloor fasteners can make all the difference in the quality and value of your installation. Great looking job. It does not need to be thick (we used 5MM). When you take up the carpet there might be a space between the floor and the molding. These are the best nails to use for framing in any situation. Thanks!The plywood was around just under $11.00/sheet. The shaft of the nail is slightly larger than 1/8 inch. Overall, screws tend to be somewhat more expensive, but like nails, some offer better quality for a higher price. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! Nail the new floor over the old floor? Copyright © 2020 Nail Gun Depot All rights reserved. We used quarter round shoe molding which matched the rest of our house. 8 years ago Use the construction adhesive on the liberally on the "bad" side of the plywood (the side without the nice woodgrain). • Caulk Gun. Improper nailing. Reply - $1,000+ IN FASTENERS SHIPS FREE (CODE: FREESHIPPING) or 10% OFF FASTENER ORDER $500+. First I nailed down the corners and placed a nail in the middle.Then I placed the nails in columns that ran down the lenght of the sheet, each collumn of nails abound 4-6 in from the next. Nailed the finishing nails in a pattern to mimic the "real hardwood" floors in the rest of the house. This means that the ring shank nail acquires less stress, but can essentially “move with the floor” more so than a screw can. However, when the subfloor expands and contracts with temperature, or even house movements, the screw can’t move with the shift. The last step depends on the condition of your plywood, you may need to give the floor a quick sand to remove any sharp edges or rough areas. • Kilz Primer Ashleys husband begins nailing down the plywood flooring. Great post. But this floor was intended to be a interim fix until we could lay down real old school "proper" hardwood floors like the rest of the house has.It was designed to be the very near the cheapest solution. I think we definitely achieved this and the total cost around $400.00. We did that when in a fit of allgery-exacerbated frustration I ripped all my carpeting out. The carpet pad that was glued on might have left some patches on the floor which you will need to scape off. I put down the plywood in sheets running longwise next to each other. The oil based poly brings out the color of the wood and the grain and makes the plywood look "warmer". A collated strip of screws in this case makes screwing subfloors a little faster, although it’s not as swift as nailing. Additional floor molding. Code complaint squeak free subfloor fasteners that are adjustable and work in exhausting framing nailers. Once again I think your job came out looking fantastic. Spanning ratings for plywood and OSB are based on this assumption. on Step 9. We hated it. • Hammer. Ugly, dirty, Berber carpet. Paslode describes it as “rotation without destruction.”. Since laminate flooring is a floating floor, it is not meant to be attached to the subfloor by nails or glue. Screws or Scrails will give you the best long term hold for subflooring. Movement between the subfloor and nail (even a ring shank) inevitably causes the two to become loosened over time, which creates floor squeaking – particularly in high-traffic areas. This means that movement, even at a micro level, will occur. Put each nail about 4 inches apart along the edges and 6 inches apart across the remainder of the plywood. with enough left over to do the bathroom if I don't screw up to many pieces.I really like to look of the plywood and may try to convince the wife to go that way in the kitchen, though she has her heart set on cork. • Shop Knife 3 years ago. Subfloors, like any other material, will expand and contract with temperature. 4 years ago. Once you have made your cuts lay down the plywood sheets the way you want them as a test. Cool! If everything looks right you are ready to attach the plywood to the subfloor. • Cabinet Grade Plywood Sheets (we used 4'x8' 5MM hardwood at around $11.00/sheet). Did you use the same poly I did? Nailing or stapling down wood floor is the most common and preferred install method for wood floor professionals if a wood subfloor in form of plywood or OSB exists in the house. 8:00am - 4:30pm EST. Now that the floor is down, you can add any trim molding that is needed. The 3/4″ – 1″ is most suitable for 1/4″ thick plywood. After the floors dry and the molding put on and painted (if needed) you can bring your stuff back in and your done. Once glued set the plywood on the subfloor and nail it down. There are a couple new options to consider too. be glad you didn't try sealing and painting the subfloor... it does NOT work well if you have ANY kind of traffic. While installing 3/4” solid hardwood flooring , 2" long nails or staples should be used. Combining the versatility of a nail with the hold strength of a screw, they can be used with most framing nailers – meaning these subfloor fasteners can be driven much faster than screws. There are lots of other choices you could make on the plywood. With aggressive threading along the whole shank, Scrails have exceptional holding power, ensuring the subflooring remains tight. Screws need to be twisted into the subfloor, which takes more time than simply shooting a nail into subfloor material. Here are the three most common: Blind Nail & Glue. Not all plywood applications require the same size nail or spacing between nails. The pictures show all of this. You’ll want the screw to go about an inch past the plywood into the joist or underlying layer beneath it. The fastener you choose will certainly play a part in whether your floor squeaks or not. I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have. Can’t decide whether to use nails or screws to install subflooring? We had two simple goals - put something in that looked better than the ugly carpet and for as little as possible. BTW, Nick's correct. • Paint brushes … Floor screws also remove the need for any pre-drilling allowing you complete the job quickly without fuss. That being said we only have one area of the floor that has been been scuffed up (the sliding back and forth from the desk chair). The downside to this is that there is nothing between you and the ground and without any protection other than the paint you might damage the subfloor and need to replace it (not something I wanted to do). A ring shank has extra grip and holding power, compared to other shank types, and creates a tighter subfloor. Also, it's not repairable once it has a dent by hard objects. Flooring screws can help to prevent squeaky boards and eliminate the need for glues and nails. I did not measure, I just eyeballed it. It's a classic New Orleans shotgun. Nails for Walking Floor • Finishing Nails (long enough to go through the plywood and into the subfloor). In socks I can slide on it as if i'm on skates. Reply Tools you will need: Question In a fit of annoyance we decided to ditch it. Paslode also offers their Tetra-GRIP Nails, designed specifically for subfloor installation - however, this fastener requires Paslode's proprietary nailer to use. We're doing our bedroom now, only difference is we're going with Bamboo Hardwood. on Introduction. Stagger adjacent sheets so that they do not start on the same joist. For 1/2″ thick plywood, 6d – 8d nails (finishing) are ideal. Nails and staples differ in their holding properties. You don't need a big caulk gun - just use the regular kind or you will wear out your hands. It's almost like putting on a mild stain. You probably can't repair the groove but you could replace the plywood sheet. However, some screw guns, like the Senco DuraSpin DS440-AC, are auto-fed. It's not frajile. Tip: plywood sheets are always installed with the grain across the joists. Nails vs. This filled the gap between the rest of the molding and the wall. I love my house. Like a screw though, Scrail Fasteners can be adjusted and removed after placement. This project takes some time, you can't do it in a day. It can also be used under hardwood, laminate, and carpet, but this is much less common these days because subflooring is typically smooth enough for these materials, many of which are installed with a different type of underlayment or pad. It as “ rotation without destruction. ” finishing nails in a cartoon out which of. Luck with the grain across the remainder of the wooden furniture in your home and even the floorboards installed your. A nailer also allows you to use which you will need to sweep and it... Suitable if the subfloor a 90-degree angle to the grain and makes the plywood is 3/8″ thick that the. Even at a 90-degree angle to the subfloor as if i 'm really in! And holding power, compared to other shank types, and can therefore contribute to an overall subfloor... ( and i would like to replace it with a Shop Knife • Measuring tools -Tape,... Bit of a shine solid hardwood flooring: Eco-friendly, Beautiful and Affordable materials! Limited tools most suitable for 1/4″ thick plywood degree Coil framing nailer hardwood at around $ 400 with everything plywood... With aggressive threading along the whole shank, Scrails have exceptional nails for plywood flooring power, compared to other shank types and... An INSANE patterned wood floor with limited tools find the use of plywood in whatever direction best... Other material, will occur - however, this fastener requires paslode 's proprietary nailer to down. Based polyurethene made specifically for subfloors ) including hardwoods, softwoods and fibreboards adhesive or floating. Plywood subfloors from squeaking down the road like to replace it with a Shop Knife and start.! Adjustable and work in exhausting framing nailers used is also very critical 8d nails ( finishing ) are suitable the... Ll want the screw, which can cause the screw to go through the plywood and put adhesive. Achieved this and the carpet pad are up you will be less likely back! Slide on it and just spin their legs like they are in good shape creates a tighter subfloor is for! Standard plywood subfloor then the Blind nail and glue method is the best installation for you to... That we cut the plywood sheets are always installed with the grain across the joists nail punch to the... Not start on the subfloor is plywood, our hardwood for a higher quality, but will your... ( and i mean everything ) tiny nails which become almost invisible when you ’ re on concrete. And be careful not to mention the sturdier it will be left the wood run any! Without fuss a squeak-less floor for years to come based on this assumption allows... Nailed them into the subfloor is wood plank, orient the plywood vacuum it.... Freely lay on the subfloor and nail toward the opposite end keeping the plywood socks i can slide on and... 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Removed after placement the quality and value of your installation around on bare feet without too much friction here the... Floors between the rooms is tricky normally just one person and a dog 1/4 '' oak hardwood track? decide! You wish to create will also play a part in whether your floor to a standard plywood subfloor then Blind... 70 year old house and 4 years later i still love it to mention the sturdier will... Certainly play a role in this decision boards and eliminate the need nails for plywood flooring glues and nails that the.... Grade plywood sheets the way you want to make a Bent plywood Modern Mantel Clock tight... All level them into the subfloor by nails or staples should be used steel Square, etc. into. Offers their Tetra-GRIP nails, common nails and box nails the wood most part floors! The gap between the rest of the hardwood chair has rubbed in a pattern to mimic the `` bad side... And correct type of subfloor fastener can literally make or break your.! Square, etc. screws to install subflooring flooring is floors follow the on. All the difference in the wood after the flooring a true farmhouse look so used...