Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Hardwood/Subfloor installation questions
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jingram105
04-01-05, 03:05 PM
I have a number of questions concerning subfloor and 3/4" hardwood installation. This is my first installation.
1. I installed another 1/2" of plywood over the existing 1/2" layer of plywood (after removing particle board). I used coarse drywall screws but now I have read in a Home Depot publication to not use this type of screw because they will break. Too late, already done. Is this a problem? Do I need to add some nails?
2. I also have been mistified as to what a flooring nail is but I think some of the members have already answered this for me. I plan to use a hardwood trim nail, like a finishing nail but thinner, as recommmended by a Lowe's publication for face nailing. Good idea or not? And should I use finishing nails and or these hardwood trinm nails for blind nailing where neccessary when a power nailer is not possible, or should should I use a special floor nail of some type?
3.Do I need to worry about going through the subfloor when face nailing or blind nailing? If so, what size nails should I use to avoid going through the subfloor? (two layers of 1/2" plywood for a toltal of 1" and 3/4" hardwood).
4. Do I need to worry about nailing into the joists?
5. I'm thinking about buying a floor nailer so that I don't have to worry about getting it back to the rental place. Manual nailers seem to be much more affordable, especially since I don't already have an air compressor. I have been told that Bostiich (spelling?) is the Caddillac of nailers but the Porta-nailer 403 sure sounds good and does face nailing. Also the SENCO sounds good. Any recommendations for nailers? Is this something that I will need to order online or would a local store perhaps carry it.
6. O.K. one final question. I don't want to wear out my welcome. There are places where I can not reach a joist with the screws for the second layer of subfloor. Some people have even recommended to me in the past to use smaller screws and perhaps not screw into the joists. At least one person suggested screws and adhesive which means no extra layer of roofing felt in between layers of plywood. I have found wood screws difficult to use and they don't seem hold as well if I keep them short enough to avoid going throught the subfloor. The heads of larger wood screws are difficult to screw down into the plywood and are to large for the driver.
What I really asking is what would have been the proper technique for screwing two layers of plywood together? This is for future reference. I have additional rooms that I intend to do later.
Sorry so long winded. I appreciate any help you can give me. I have more to ask but I think this is probably more than enough for now. I have already bought the prefinished 3/4" hardwood, natural red oak, and would like to get started nailing it down. Thanks again in advance for your help.
jdi
1. I installed another 1/2" of plywood over the existing 1/2" layer of plywood (after removing particle board). I used coarse drywall screws but now I have read in a Home Depot publication to not use this type of screw because they will break. Too late, already done. Is this a problem? Do I need to add some nails?
2. I also have been mistified as to what a flooring nail is but I think some of the members have already answered this for me. I plan to use a hardwood trim nail, like a finishing nail but thinner, as recommmended by a Lowe's publication for face nailing. Good idea or not? And should I use finishing nails and or these hardwood trinm nails for blind nailing where neccessary when a power nailer is not possible, or should should I use a special floor nail of some type?
3.Do I need to worry about going through the subfloor when face nailing or blind nailing? If so, what size nails should I use to avoid going through the subfloor? (two layers of 1/2" plywood for a toltal of 1" and 3/4" hardwood).
4. Do I need to worry about nailing into the joists?
5. I'm thinking about buying a floor nailer so that I don't have to worry about getting it back to the rental place. Manual nailers seem to be much more affordable, especially since I don't already have an air compressor. I have been told that Bostiich (spelling?) is the Caddillac of nailers but the Porta-nailer 403 sure sounds good and does face nailing. Also the SENCO sounds good. Any recommendations for nailers? Is this something that I will need to order online or would a local store perhaps carry it.
6. O.K. one final question. I don't want to wear out my welcome. There are places where I can not reach a joist with the screws for the second layer of subfloor. Some people have even recommended to me in the past to use smaller screws and perhaps not screw into the joists. At least one person suggested screws and adhesive which means no extra layer of roofing felt in between layers of plywood. I have found wood screws difficult to use and they don't seem hold as well if I keep them short enough to avoid going throught the subfloor. The heads of larger wood screws are difficult to screw down into the plywood and are to large for the driver.
What I really asking is what would have been the proper technique for screwing two layers of plywood together? This is for future reference. I have additional rooms that I intend to do later.
Sorry so long winded. I appreciate any help you can give me. I have more to ask but I think this is probably more than enough for now. I have already bought the prefinished 3/4" hardwood, natural red oak, and would like to get started nailing it down. Thanks again in advance for your help.
jdi