These underlayments are used on top of the sheathing to create a firm, even base for sheet vinyl, linoleum, and other surface materials. The subfloor is in good condition, but we are thinking of putting plywood over it before installing the flooring. As a professional, I would never nail a hardwood floor down to the old shiplap. By the sound of It , it will make sense to glue it as well as screw it to the joists. IN GENERAL: ensure subfloor panels are level and properly fastened to the joists. If there is any deflection in the wood plank subfloor when walked on it would be advisable to add an additional layer of 3/8" or 1/2" thick plywood underlayment glued and screwed down over the plank subfloor to add stability to weak subfloors. And should we use rosin paper between the plywood and subfloor? I have a second story floor that was carpet over plywood subfloor. Improper spacing. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions, Install Wood Flooring Series: Laying Out Flooring. Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around walls and joints. The existing planks that make up your floor have strength that runs in one direction only, and it is now recognised that ideally, subfloors should have strength that runs in both directions. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Plywood is the best subfloor choice to lay on top of the pine because it nails in securely and creates a flat, even surface for the new floor to adhere to. DITRA can be installed over these wood subfloor systems: 16” or 19.2” O.C. (on center) joist spacing with single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation; 24” O.C. As any regular reader of this blog will know, if you’re laying a new wood floor over an old plank sub floor, there are several things you need to take into consideration. By working this way, there will be no need to introduce any form of liner between the old planks and the ply. Thank you for the help. If the current subfloor has tongue-and-groove hardwood planks, check to see if it is attached directly to the joists or if it’s on top of another subfloor. A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. Check the current subfloor for flatness, protruding fasteners, and squeaks, and reattach any loose boards. Throughout the living room + bedrooms there are various types of other flooring that I plan on ripping out down to the plank subfloor … The planks are typically 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or a similar softwood. The floor joists run lengthwise to the room, and we want to install a floating laminate floor. Since then, planks have been almost entirely replaced by plywood and other sheet subflooring. Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. Follow the manufacturer installation recommendations, and inspect the subfloor and fix the squeaks before installing the flooring. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Rudy Kelosky, owner of Wood Floor Designs, Inc., responds:Depending on the condition of the subfloor, you may not need the plywood at all. In any case if you have not done it before it might be sensible to call for a professional and ask him/her advise. I understand that I should install a plywood layer over the original lay in order to enable the planks to be installed lengthwise. BUT again, this tutorial is just for wood subfloors. Screwing into the edge gives only passable results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. :\: most all 1x6 subfloors are not like a plywood subfloor but have been the substantial proper base … Hi - This is work differently from on various site and Ply. I do not know if it was poorly constructed or if this naturally happened over time, but the tongues and grooves of the planks across much of … 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions – For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes. Working with full sheets of ply will make your job easier and will improve the end result. Hi – Using Ply wood have various reason including - Leveling, create better surface, Hight issues etc. Re: Replacing Diagonal Plank Sub floor for Tile Job Post by badali » Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:53 pm Just following up and the combination of blocking and then cut plywood … by 51⁄2-in. The floor joists are 2x9, 16" on center. Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. I had to make up a few quick cabinet boxes for a storage area and decided to use some 3/4" prefinished Chinese plywood to try out. Introducing a layer of ply will stop squeaks in your floor if it is done properly (see below). Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. I'm laying plywood over an old plank floor and have been following your steps above - ensuring each plank is secured to joists, etc. Flooring 101 Home HARDWOOD COLLECTION Tips F101 FAQs - Hardwood Install Over Plank Subfloor. The plywood plank flooring thickness we used is 1/2″ thick. The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor. MON-FRI 08:00-18:30 / SAT 10:00-16:30 / SUN 11:00-16:00 / BANK HOLIDAYS 10:00-15:30. Solid-board subflooring should be 3⁄4-in. How Many Different Trim Nailers Do I Really Need? If the subflooring is in good shape, nail it down without the plywood, assuming the engineered wood is of good quality and 1⁄2-in. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. Get an overview of the process of creating a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes from experienced mason Mike Mehaffey. Doing this will also allow you to run your new wood flooring in any direction desired. The sheets are installed over the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. - M.K. Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. Hide screw heads below the surface of your plywood pieces to … I am replacing the wood floors in my 1920 home. The planks are 7" wide and 3/4" thick, tongue and groove with 1/4" gaps. Inner plys appear to be poplar with a fair number of voids and overlaps. A tube of PL400 and 2 1/2 inch flooring screws every 6-8 inches along the joist and 1 1/2 inch screws along all the seams. OSB provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed. It is best to use #15 felt paper as a moisture barrier between the subfloor and hardwood if nailing down, or between the subfloors if gluing. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Add a layer of 1/2-in. thickness or more. group 1 dense softwood such as Douglas fir or larch. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. Save Time With a Prefinished Wood Floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, but they demand a more careful installation. In older homes, it was not uncommon for the subfloor to consist of simple 1 x 6, 1 x 8, or 1 x 10 planks nailed diagonally across the joists. Should I use 1/2" or 5/8" plywood as a subfloor over my car plank. I guess 18mm will be even better… in any case please also ask your fitter on site to check quality of joists and decide accordingly. Right now, I have 3/4 TG hardwood, which is not in the best shape, over a 2.5" wide x 3/4" inch think plank subfloor, which runs perpendicular to the joists (2x10, 16 oc). Again, you can find an article debating the pros and cons of each method here. Install Wood Flooring Series: Laying Out Flooring – Making all calculations, adjustments, and layout marks before you lay the first board will get you professional results on your next flooring project. Plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are typically 3/4 inch thick. Below the kitchen is my basement. House was built in 48', i think. Basically you can install DITRA over. Initially it looks pretty good, nice even finish, but one side is definitely better quality wood, one side has lots of wood putty in it. A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. They were commonly nailed to wood joists with standard box nails, which tend to loosen over … When it comes to laying your new boards over the old, there will be no scope for negotiation when it comes to direction ie. When you fix the ply to the old floor, you should avoid fixing it to the joists. fasten any loose planks and flatten (plane, sand, chisel) any planks that are not level. BC plywood over the old subfloor, using construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in. Underlayments can be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and high humidity. I believe he needs to beef up the sub-floor with 1/2" ply screwed/glued down over … It was laid on a diagonal so the 3/4" oak can e laid either direction. There are many types, sizes and configurations of plywood. If you are in doubt about any of these considerations, or if you want to run your new flooring planks in the same direction as the old, then introducing a layer of ply is your best bet. Kitchens & Baths – Winter 2020, Issue #295, Podcast 303: Advanced Framing, Wood Floors in a Bathroom, Unsafe Pools, Podcast 301: Stick vs. Post Frame, Upside-Down Clapboards, and Caulking Cedar Shingles, Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb, Expert insights on techniques and principles. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring. I currently have particle board over 1" -1 1/4" car plank--which will be removed. These subfloors must meet structural requirements. I think an added benefit to the 1/2″ plywood is that the spaces in between the planks doesn’t hold dirt as easily. Cracking and popping tiles are a sure sign that … The house is 45 years old. Is 1⁄4-in.-thick plywood okay, or do we need something thicker? Should You Lay Plywood Over Plank Sub Floor? That will give you a solid subfloor that won't squeak. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. thinset applied with 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch trowel applied on top of the plywood/osb joist spacing with double-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation Repair any broken planks. Your help is greatly appreciated. The planks run diagonal to the floor joists. On all our jobs where we use Durock for floor tile we install 1-1/8" Advantech with joists 16" OC. Iron-on edge veneer went on fairly well, but care must be taken when trimming and sanding the edging not to sand through the face veneer. The home was built in the 1960s and the subfloor consists of 3/4" thick tongue and groove planks running diagonal to the joists. I am preparing to tile my kitchen floor and have it stripped down to the plank subfloor. Also how far apart should my screws be when installing the plywood. We will be installing engineered wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor. Structural floor on top of joists has to be at least 18mm thick overall. Also the surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations that you can feel if you slide your hand over the surface. Technical and Installation. If at all possible, aim to sand your existing planks if they are showing significant signs of old glue or materials that need to be removed. Repairing a damaged subfloor is serious business, but it doesn't have to be scary. Understanding the Upgrades: Enhanced Plywood and Subfloor Products. Like all wooden flooring products, it’s a good idea to acclimatise your plywood before laying it. There are several types of plywood that are well-suited for subfloors. As for the rosin paper, it may help with squeaks between the subfloors, but you are better off addressing the root cause, which is proper installation of subfloor and hardwood. 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch exterior rated plywood or osb, screwed down to the planks the screws should avoid hitting the joists. Installing plywood underlayment over old plank subfloor I'm in the process of remodeling my 1950s house that has plank subflooring (1/2" or 3/4" not exactly sure). Kitchen is mostly gutted, floor is down to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor. Different plywoods use various materials and methods of manufacture, depending on the application for which they're intended. Thanks for posting this great information! Unfortunately, we cannot help on this one. Featuring: Opening Up a Family Kitchen; 1970s Revamp; Condo Kitchen Reimagined; One Bad Kitchen, Three Good Designs; and much more. Place your plywood pieces so their joints don’t go directly over the joints of your wood subfloor. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Typical underlayment materials in an old house include plywood, cement board, particleboard, or hardboard. During remodeling, these planks are often replaced with plywood or OSB, or they can be augmented by laying another subfloor layer of plywood over the diagonal planks. Two of the most important things to bear in mind, whichever method you use are: to acclimatise your new flooring well and secondly to allow for expansion and contraction of your new flooring by leaving an expansion gap of 10-15mm around your whole room. LEARN MORE. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." screws every 6 in. At the angle, the finish flooring rests on the high spots of the subfloor. Hi Jim, since you are going to use laminate which is I assume 7mm & Up- you should use minimum ply of 12mm. The method of installation you choose will depend on a whole host of factors but will be one of these:  glue down, nail or staple down or floating. With the plywood in place, install the backer board as you normally would. Many homes have that 3/4" oak flooring laid directly to the joists with OUT a diagonal subfloor. If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1⁄4-in.