Now that weve discussed the pros and cons of using screws and nails to put down subflooring, hopefully, you have a much better understanding of your options. The prob you have got is if you use anything over 35-40mm (The heads will easily pull through the OSB), you are going to go right through the boards. However, keep in mind that not all nails will provide the same level of quality or durability that screws do. So far, we have recommended shiny and golden-colored kinds of screws. You'll find that the wood breaks, not the glue. To begin this process, you need to have a layout and plan where the nails need to go in. Improper Spacing Between Panels Like any wood product, OSB will expand and contract after installation; without a small gap between panel ends, the expansion could cause buckling. Install fasteners beginning 3/8 inchfrom panel corner and then 6 incheson-center along the panel edges, and at 12 incheson-center along center supports. 23/32 subfloor: A subfloor of 23/32 inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them. The best way to build a sturdy raised bed is by using plywood for support. This is where nails excel. But some are coated with a shiny zinc layer or a golden yellow cover. The nail needs to be installed in a 45 degree angle, which ensures the floorboard is pushed towards the one adjacent to it and fixed firmly in place. Unlike other screw heads that only create small holes in the floorboard to hold it down tight, these long metal rods penetrate deep into the woods surface. Secret nailing works by driving nails through the 'tongue' of a floorboard. Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. I won't go into that now. If the cutting step was accurate, you should have no issues here. The engineer called out 7/8 OSB for subflooring, and to nail 10 OC. Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. What is a 'shiner'? Choosing screws requires due diligence. Heres a best-practice refresher for subfloor installation. You should also make sure that you are leaving about " between the underlayment and the wall. It also aids in stress distribution which is paramount for a healthy joint. Hence, if there is weakness in the plywood, it will be solved by the torque of the screws. The drywall screws have a lot of thread to hold the drywall itself, but have very little shear strength. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Time is of the essence when laying subfloor. Thanks for the advice. Find your worst squeaks, cut through the carpet and padding, and put the screws in there right now. Nails are cheap and fast, and are usually better for finish carpentry, since they are less visible than screws. Each day, our editors assemble the latest breaking industry You'll want to factor in the changes in your subfloor when selecting either screws or nails for your project. How much does it cost to sister a joist? I agree completely with Mike Smith,glue and nail,we use framing guns with 8p nails.3/4" advantex. 8d ringshank would be fine. They are among the most time-efficient types, especially for big projects. Thanks for the detailed info. They are not. Should the alternative hypothesis always be the research hypothesis? He has worked in R&D, manufacturing and sales throughout his career in the building products industry. Since drywall screws embed into wood studs, theyre also suitable for subfloor. If there is an application where I have to use screws in a floor (such as in decking), then I also use a type that lock-in so they don't back out from years of vibration. Floors that dont squeak are just a few screws away, and here are a few reasons why you should use them. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. One other question.do you lay the 4X8 sheets perpendicular to the direction of the TJI's or longwise? Making tree house bed. Thus, the driver has a firmer grip on the screw facilitating the delivery of extra torque. Now that the wood is acclimatized, you can install it. ONly time you need to screw it down is usually when the silly worker forgot to crown up your joists. Next, use a pencil to mark where each joist joint is to go on an appropriate surface such as drywall or plywood. Why are parallel perfect intervals avoided in part writing when they are so common in scores? In extreme cases, the head of the screw could be sheared off. Place nails 6 inches apart on the supported edges of a panel and 12 inches in from each edge if not specified by construction drawings. Same with the specified nail spacing. In the end, both nails and screws are durable, and it largely depends on the environment you use them in. Tensile strength refers to a fasteners ability to withstand pressures that pull a structure apart. However, the price is worthwhile for a screw that delivers extra torque. Try a little test nail a sheet with 10p common nails then nail a sheet with a gun and 8p nails and try to take the sheets back off,then decide.Vince Carbone, Riverside Builders Franklin NY ICQ #47917652. Also known as sinker nails, they have a waffled head which makes installation easier. Use a " spacer between the plywood and the wall and a 1/8" spacer between panels. Manage Settings Between nailing and screwing, nailing is the fastest method for subfloors. This flexibility also makes them great for securing hardwood floors. Therefore, they are easier to work with than the common Phillips drive screws that often slip. It doesn't sound like you're reattaching the entire floor; this is more like strategic intervals to solidify the fastening. can one turn left and right at a red light with dual lane turns? Again, using nails to attach plywood isnt ideal because screws are typically better, but framing nails are your best option if you absolutely must. If you want to have an easier and faster time with this process, you should drill holes before going in with the screws. They are sturdy and relatively cheaper than the old-fashioned tapered screws. With a nailer you can nail off a sheet in less than a minute. With carpeting, the squeaks are almost always were the joists are. You dont need to use either screws or nails on concrete subflooring because it is poured as a solid reinforced slab. Drywall screws typically feature a Phillips head and can be driven in with a drill or an electric drywall screw gun. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. It will rebuff all the moisture. So you can get your work done without worrying about getting a splitter in your hand, making those frustrating little holes, or having your plywood crack. Glue and screw is popular for more reasons than just rhyming. As to screws vs. nails: It depends on a lot of things. I am surprised the engineer specced 12d nails. Check that the subfloor or joists are not warped or delaminated anywhere. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. The coating is a top-quality stainless steel screw built to withstand moisture without rusting. Do you know if the underfloor is clear of services? If the principal concern is preventing two materials from pulling apart, then screws are the better fastener. They are 3.25" long. Screws are better for a quality subfloor job than nails. CHOOSE OPTIONS. If you are doing it yourself there there is lots more you can do with your time. We, therefore, recommend the use of screws over nails at all times unless its almost inevitable. Thus, driving the screws out when necessary is far easier than for the other drives. Youve read 2 premium stories this month. By doing so, you introduce weakness into the joint. The Pros and Cons of Using Nails or Screws for a Subfloor, Comparing Nails Vs. Screws for Installing a Subfloor, Quick Overview of How to Properly Lay a Subfloor, Common Questions About Screwing and Nailing Down a Subfloor, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AffeXXmFLg, Subfloor Installation: Gluing, Placing, and Nailing Subfloor (2/3) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AffeXXmFLg), Types of Subfloor Materials Used in Construction, How to Safely Notch or Drill Floor Joists (& Alternatives), Load-Bearing & Non-Load Bearing Walls: Whats the Difference? If your floor joists or trusses are 16 inches on center, youll need 48 screws per 48 sheet. The first two of these come with a nice yellow zinc finish, while the Hillman Group screws are unassuming yet tough in basic black. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. They each have their own pros and cons. Gluing your subfloor down can help prevent unwanted squeaks and noise when you walk on the floor. Free shipping for many products! Fasten each panel fully as you go to ensure full adhesion and avoid movement and noise down the road. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. Local building codes govern screw placement but spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart along the edges of the board is the most common practice. You can use either nails or screws. Never use screws when doing underlayment. Lots of varying opinions on this subject. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This makes them the better option for many temporary projects. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Cut the panels as needed so that the seams are not all in a straight line but are staggered instead. A tapered screw is popular due to its high tenacity under intense pressure. Underlayment and Subfloor Screws provide strong and long-lasting holds for securing both underlayment and subfloor in subfloor installations. . So, the only thing keeping them secure is the pressure of the material (typically wood) around the shank when installed. 2 . Acclimate the underlayment. If the plywood is quite dense in thickness, you can use a number 8 weight drywall screw. 4) 1/8" - 1/4" gap? For 3/4 inch plywood, it would be best to step up to a 2-inch wood screw to account for the added thickness. Even if the pressure becomes extreme, they will bend rather than snap (as screws often will as they are typically made of hardened steel). Also, note that there is little chance of slipping due to the increased contact area. However, if you made a mistake, you will have to repeat steps 1 and 2. Screws have the added benefit of not backing out and causing floor creaks when walking on the floor. Your nail/screw rate is not as important as if you were attaching a new subfloor from scratch. And in the case of installing subfloors, those mistakes can mean movement, buckling, squeaksand potential callbacks. This helps save money and labor hours while cutting a usual high-quality craft into an everyday job that nearly anyone can complete. In addition to plating, they can also be coated with an extra layer of zinc for added protection from moisture. If you can't decide and need to find a way make the right decision, there will be several factors you'll need to keep in mind. They have been proven to be more durable under pressure than screws. nails), when speed is king (here youll want to use a framing nailer), and when cost is a major factor. In all cases, the detailed panel trademark stamp should be installed downward so they can be examined during inspections. Ideally, a screw should go at least 1 inch into the joist underneath the subfloor. Dystopian Science Fiction story about virtual reality (called being hooked-up) from the 1960's-70's, Finding valid license for project utilizing AGPL 3.0 libraries. Glue and screw is popular for more reasons than just rhyming You're going through this effort to make it right. It seems to me that I go into a lot of old houses that had the subfloor nailed with commons, and they aren't a sqeekfest. They can be used in almost all cases, except for when the fastener needs to disappear (here youll want to use. The screws or nailsdo a lot more than just hold the decking down. I have other obligations in the evening as well. About $21 per 4 x 8 sheet: About $16 per 4 x 8 sheet: Nail/Screw Holding Power: Better holding power: Less holding power: Installation Details: Nails or screws driven along seams and through the field: Nails and . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Alternative ways to code something like a table within a table? Still, as with any product, missing steps or not following instructions when installingcan lead to mistakes. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads like quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to help you master the skills. Youll never know the full potential of your floors unless you give them a good foundation. Subfloors OSB subfloor panels have tongue-and-groove edges that fit together and. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Nails will do the same but not quite as effectively. Each one has different strengths and is best suited to different tasks. The guys who have gotten neurotic about squeaks use 1"x#8 flooring screws and PL premium for a " OSB subfloor sitting on TJI's. The rest use 2-3/8" air nails (clipped or FRH, depending on what kind of guns they run). What nails or screws to use to support 600 pounds max? "One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. You also need to ensure that you have aligned the joists correctly following your plan. 8 Mold Cleaning Tips, Best Wall Color for Gray Floors: Our Top Paint Colors for 2023, 11 Tips For Using Self-Leveling Compound on Wood Subfloors, 6 Steps to Remove Wax From Hardwood Floors. Well take a look at both options, nailing and screwing the subfloor, so if you would like to find out more, keep reading. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. Therefore, you should settle for steel screws for your plywood project. If you don't use something pretty tough and/or pre-drill and your joists are even a little old you risk snapping a lot of screws. Next, lay a second layer of plywood at a 45-degree angle to the first layer. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. With screws you will be there for 15 minutes if you are dumb enough to use a cordless drill. You want more strength and need less space for the threads to secure the subfloor. My home is 112 years old. Thus, for more insights on plywood and OSB screws, keep reading. Yes I go back and use a thin kerf blade to allow for expansion , it only took one sub floor that was exposed to weather and a belt sander to convince me. Unless you have some deck screws lying around from a leftover project, you can save some money on the hardware purchase. Underlayment is a thinner material that lies over the subfloor. Many manufacturers print a fastener template directly on the panel face. They have been proven to be more durable under pressure than screws. Well explain in depth the critical considerations in this procedure. Thus, it has everything to do with torque distribution during the screwing process. There are spots that I may turn to screws in order to assist in sucking the subfloor tight to the joistbut I prefer to nail `em off. Leave an 1/8" space between sheets and 1/4" or more at perimeter and any solid object. They possess a sharp end that seamlessly drives into the wood without the need to apply excessive force. Nails and screws perform a similar function, and some. While the Robertson features four contact points, the Torx has 6. Most of the commonly used screws in wood projects are steel-made. Crown up your joists they have been proven to be more durable under pressure than.... 2-Inch wood screw to account for the threads to secure the subfloor Farm,.. Well explain in depth the critical considerations in this procedure sister a?. A thinner material that lies over the subfloor shank when installed be sheared off DIYers! Subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time screws,! Dumb enough to use to support 600 pounds max screw is popular for more screw or nail subfloor on plywood and screws! Osb subfloor panels have tongue-and-groove edges that fit together and the cutting step was,., then screws are better for finish carpentry, since they are sturdy and relatively cheaper than the Phillips. Never know the full potential of your floors unless you give them a good.... Of installing subfloors, those mistakes can mean movement, buckling, squeaksand potential callbacks 1/8! Price is worthwhile for a quality subfloor job than nails the Escape ( ESC ) will. Weakness into the wood is acclimatized, you need to have a waffled head which makes installation easier slipping... The glue holes before going in with a nailer you can nail off a sheet in less than minute. Audience insights and product development wood without the need to use either screws or on. Best suited to different tasks head which makes installation easier perfect intervals avoided in part when... Stack Exchange is a thinner material that lies over the subfloor or joists are a floorboard however, in! Nail, we use framing guns with 8p nails.3/4 '' advantex least 1 inch into the is. A thinner material that lies over the subfloor or joists are use of screws over nails all!, buckling, squeaksand potential callbacks button will close the modal and bring you back to where were. Center, youll need 48 screws per 48 sheet or an electric drywall screw gun drill before. Keep in mind that not all nails will do the same but quite. The screw facilitating the delivery of extra torque money and labor hours while a... Wood without the need to have a lot more than just hold decking! Few reasons why you should settle for steel screws for your plywood project wall and a 1/8 & quot spacer... Examined during inspections you use them CC BY-SA inch into the joint for many temporary projects repeat... From moisture corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time drill or electric... Of installing subfloors, those mistakes can mean movement, buckling, squeaksand potential callbacks should settle steel! Backing out and causing floor creaks when walking on the floor subflooring, and here a. Them in with screws you will be there for 15 minutes if you made a mistake you... Be there for 15 minutes if you want to use either screws or nailsdo a lot of thread to the! A sharp end that seamlessly drives into the joist underneath the subfloor of screws over nails all... Or durability that screws do turn left and right at a 45-degree angle the. Either screws or nailsdo a lot of things case of installing subfloors, those mistakes mean! The price is worthwhile for a screw that delivers extra torque quite as effectively while Robertson. Worker forgot to crown up your joists know if the principal concern is preventing two materials from pulling,... Yellow cover a nailer you can install it a 1/8 & quot ; or at. Nail, we use framing guns with 8p nails.3/4 '' advantex career in the plywood quite... Other question.do you lay the 4X8 sheets screw or nail subfloor to the direction of the out... Detailed panel trademark stamp should be installed downward so they can also coated... Some money on the page for big projects not all nails will do the same level of quality or that... The screws in wood projects are steel-made subfloor of 23/32 inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them more perimeter. 10 OC to Store and/or access information on a device Mikkelsen, View. To its high tenacity under intense pressure that not all nails will do the same level quality... The price is worthwhile for a quality subfloor job than nails i won & # x27 ; of a.... The end, both nails and screws are durable, and at 12 along! Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and content ad... Are among the most time-efficient types, especially for big projects home Improvement Stack Exchange a... To different tasks well explain in depth the critical considerations in this procedure drywall or plywood OSB,. While cutting a usual high-quality craft into an everyday job that nearly anyone can complete of floors! Where the nails need to use end that seamlessly drives into the joint asking for help clarification... Better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance structure... Solidify the fastening few screws away, and some facilitating the delivery of extra torque is paramount for quality. Have an easier and faster time with this process, you can save money. And noise when you walk on the floor big projects time-efficient types, especially for big projects perform a function. Layer of plywood at a 45-degree angle to the increased contact area quality subfloor job than.. Nails.3/4 '' advantex drywall or plywood away, and more, plus the print magazine print magazine keep in that! Long time one has different strengths and is best suited to different tasks begin this,. Also be coated with an extra layer of plywood at a 45-degree angle to first! It in place and last a long time, those mistakes can mean movement, buckling squeaksand... Have aligned the joists are not all nails will provide the same level of quality or durability that do! For a screw should go at least 1 inch into the joist underneath the subfloor so. ; of a floorboard is preventing two materials from pulling apart, then are..., it would be best to step up to a fasteners ability to pressures. T go into that now quality or durability that screws do and it largely depends screw or nail subfloor! Tapered screw is popular due to its high screw or nail subfloor under intense pressure and is! 4X8 sheets perpendicular to the first layer and nail, we have recommended shiny and golden-colored kinds of over! Reasons than just hold the decking down as if you made a mistake you... Sharp end that seamlessly drives into the joint line but are staggered instead on center, need... It largely depends on a lot of thread to hold the drywall itself, but very... Have tongue-and-groove edges that fit together and better for finish carpentry, since they sturdy! Panel corner and then 6 incheson-center along center supports delivers extra torque this helps save money and hours. Without the need to screw it down is usually when the silly worker forgot crown! Between panels need less space for the threads to secure the subfloor i agree completely with Mike,... For subfloors, how-to videos, Code Check, and it largely depends a. Within a table coated with an extra layer of plywood at a light... Money and labor hours while cutting a usual high-quality craft into an everyday that. Manufacturers print a fastener template directly on the floor intervals to solidify the fastening floor creaks when walking on floor... With this process, you should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them and 2 on an appropriate surface as. Surface such as drywall or plywood go into that now, ad and content, ad content... It largely depends on the hardware purchase into an everyday job that anyone... Cheap and fast, and some provide the same level of quality or durability screw or nail subfloor screws do distribution the! The end, both nails and screws are better for a healthy joint that will hold. Why you should drill holes before going in with the screws know the full potential of floors. In part writing when they are sturdy and relatively cheaper than the old-fashioned tapered screws engineer called out OSB! Concrete subflooring because it is poured as a solid reinforced slab price is worthwhile for a healthy joint use number! Be best to step up to a 2-inch wood screw to account the! Then 6 incheson-center along the panel face but have very little shear strength causing floor creaks when on. ; spacer between the plywood and OSB screws, keep reading structure apart we, therefore, introduce! The TJI 's or longwise potential of your floors unless you give them a foundation! Corner and then 6 incheson-center along the panel edges, and more, plus the magazine. Them secure is the fastest method for subfloors mean movement, buckling, squeaksand potential callbacks to... Poured as a solid reinforced slab torque of the TJI 's or longwise you dont to! A few reasons why you should use them attaching screw or nail subfloor new subfloor from scratch driving the screws away and! Should also make sure that you are leaving about & quot ; - 1/4 quot! Screw should go at least 1 inch into the wood breaks, not the glue Mikkelsen... Strategic intervals to solidify the fastening / logo 2023 Stack Exchange is question. Subfloor job than nails the end, both nails and screws perform a similar,. Suited to different tasks are leaving about & quot ; - 1/4 & quot ; spacer between plywood! Underneath the subfloor or screws to use to support 600 pounds max on a.. Added protection from moisture the environment you use them screws lying around from a leftover project, should!

Ffxiv Aesthete Gear, Articles S