You have to make accurate measurements since the plywood you cut must fit into each other perfectly. Therefore, they are easier to work with than the common Phillips drive screws that often slip. Certainly, glue or no glue, nails or screws, and OSB or Plywood have different properties and produce different results. My chief concern is longevity of the solution, I don't want the floor squeaking again in 5 years. As Boss mentioned, they actually add to the structural integrity of the joist and decking connection. Below is a quick overview of the significant pros and cons of using nails or screws to fasten down a subfloor. Logic suggests the former.but if donelongwise there will be half as many unsupported T&G joints. For this process, you will need the following tools and materials: The first thing you do is measure the plywood material using the T-Square ruler. Hence, if there is weakness in the plywood, it will be solved by the torque of the screws. If you are considering whether you should use the screw or nail for installing subfloor, you'll want to factor in the level of holding power your project requires. Nails and screws are both great options for building a floor. Driving a nail into a 112 year old joist simply does not have the same holding or clamping power that nails do. 23/32 subfloor: A subfloor of 23/32 inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them. You'll need to do your research to figure out which one will fit your budget better. Youll never know the full potential of your floors unless you give them a good foundation. You can also use screws to remove a squeak in the subfloor caused by the subfloor moving against the nails. By that time the glue may have skinned and you will have squeaks. If you're having a hard time finding them, cut a bigger hole in the carpet and put a few screws in a line until one catches. gavin.. there is no gain.. only loss our floors don't squeak they don't move.. and the glue doesn't fail.. so.. extra cost for the screws, extra cost for the labor of screwing.. and , if the installer isn't careful , the screws will bridge a lot easier than a nail will.. use the time and money to upgrade a different component in your homeMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore. This makes them the better option for many temporary projects. So do it right. Some nails like stainless steel nails are higher quality and are well worth the price in the end to maintain the longevity of your sub flooring. After some time, the plywood will start moving as the binding joint is already loose. Still, you should opt for screws over nails despite these advantages. In general, nails of size 6d ring or screw shank, or 8d common, should be spaced at a distance of 6 inches on center along supported panel edges, while nails of size 12d should be spaced at a distance of 12 inches on center on the interior supports of the panels, or as directed by the construction drawings. One downside to pneumatic nailers is that they make it easy to put in a whole row of shiners and not know it. Jake Sales has been providing screws and nails for construction projects for many years. Additionally, if the screw is over-driven or if the wrong size was inadvertently used, the screw head could potentially break. Subfloor: Screws or Nails? Drywall screws should only be used for drywall, and a temporary coat hanger. Be sure to place all perimeter fasteners 3/8 inchback from the nearest panel edge; this will help reduce the chance of edge swell. When putting down a subfloor for the first time, you likely have a lot of questions. You will have a lot more peace of mind if you nail down your subflooring as opposed to screwing it in place, but there are some downsides to consider as well. I've been framing for 20 years and have never screwed down a subfloor, never been called back for a squeak either. 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. Subfloors OSB subfloor panels have tongue-and-groove edges that fit together and. Subscribe for unlimited access. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. They are 3.25" long. MT Copeland offers video-based online classes that give you a foundation in construction fundamentals with real-world applications. One other question.do you lay the 4X8 sheets perpendicular to the direction of the TJI's or longwise? While underlayment may add a modest amount of stiffness to a floor assembly, it does not strengthen a floor or enhance it structurally. Using nails without an air nailer will also prompt you to hammer them into the plywood. Due to their flexibility under temperatures, nails overall contribute to a more squeaky floor. Some has literally turned to dust. Their flat head means that the screw sinks flat. This flexibility also makes them great for securing hardwood floors. With carpeting, the squeaks are almost always were the joists are. So far, we have recommended shiny and golden-colored kinds of screws. Like this answer. If the plywood is an inch or less, a 2-inch screw should work well enough since it will go about 1 inch past the bottom board and penetrate the joist below instead of just sitting on top and coming loose. Unless you have some deck screws lying around from a leftover project, you can save some money on the hardware purchase. Then you can hit any missed spots and otherwise stay out of the installers way tomorrow. There are many amatuers with little experiance that are freely dispensing advice on this forum. My opinion is that screws are far better. Although these screws are primarily for drywall installation, you can also use them on OSB or plywood. If your floor joists or trusses are 16 inches on center, youll need 48 screws per 48 sheet. I have no idea whether newer adhesives will last longer - I hope so - but my joists are old, bone dry, and some have bowed more than others and some of the nails are squeakingand as it is my home I don't mind a little more time and expense as Ireplacing the sub floor. rev2023.4.17.43393. Typically deck screws are 2 1/2 or 3 inches in length and too long for securing subfloor. 3 Best Screws for Subfloor (as of October, 2022): 1. Next, use a pencil to mark where each joist joint is to go on an appropriate surface such as drywall or plywood. Screws create stronger joints and are also less destructive. In the next few sections, Ill compare nails and screws for putting down a subfloor and cover many common concerns and questions about each option. How to Install a Subfloor: Avoid These Common Mistakes 1. Screws create stronger joints and are also less destructive. Using Nails to Put Down a Subfloor Nails are an essential tool in construction and homebuilding. This can lead to weaker connections, an inability to withstand the burden reliably, warping during periods of expansion and contraction. They should be on the same level as the subfloor and never protrude. Don't lay OSB tight either. Subfloor adhesive can help prevent those annoying floor noises that can be extremely annoying by preventing movement at panel-to-joist connections. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower. Torx drive screws are US-made and improve the square drive kind. Unfortunately, experiencing an occasional creak is always in the offing with nails. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. You want more strength and need less space for the threads to secure the subfloor. The direction of the joists will most likely be the shortest path between two load bearing structures and perpendicular to load bearing walls. According to construction and renovation experts, some of the best screws for subfloor include the Senco 08200Y screws, the Simpson Strong-Tie screws, and the Hillman Group 48248 subfloor screws. You may use three-inch steel screws to attach plywood underlayment in construction projects, but first, you must plan for and consider the thickness of the floor. It will rebuff all the moisture. Check for shiners underneath right away before the glue dries. Rub some candle wax on the screws, greases them nicely and helps them into old dry wood, minimizes shearing :). It only takes a minute to sign up. The model has a dull luster which is due to the xylan coating. If your floor joists or trusses are 24 inches on center, youll need 36 screws per 48 sheet. Also, note that there is little chance of slipping due to the increased contact area. a. Even if the pressure becomes extreme, they will bend rather than snap (as screws often will as they are typically made of hardened steel). You ensure that you mark the cutting points using a pencil. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. 4) 1/8" - 1/4" gap? The material is hard and creates tight joints, thus the immense popularity in plywood subfloor projects. With many projects, youll find yourself using both nails and screws. We glue and staple, with 7/16" x 2" crown staples. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your budget. #2 "Gluing" isn't a long-term thing for a basement. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Start your subscription today and save up to 70%. Check that the subfloor or joists are not warped or delaminated anywhere. Screws would be the more 'sure' solution, but if your nailer can handle ribbed nails like this: We were just advised by a great contractor that screw & glue are definitely the best. With an air nailer, you can drive in multiple nails at one instance. 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. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. The steel "pin" acts to hold the joist in vertical alignment for the full depth of said "pin" whereas glue onlyhas a gripon the thin surface where the materials join. Once the screws or nails are in place for "clamping," why go to the trouble of removing them? Please browse our large stock of The allure of using nails in a plywood or OSB installation is quite strong. 4) I would rather use screws than nails. The builder drives the nails, either using a nail gun or claw hammer and plants them firmly through the subfloor to hold everything in place. Many manufacturers print a fastener template directly on the panel face. By creating an account, you agree to Pro Builder's terms of service and privacy policy. The additional coating further enhances its moisture resistance and increases its durability. Screws are slower and if you did use screws, you would have to ensure that all the heads were countersunk below the surface. 1,000 2,000 1,500. Note that there are different types of threads, but in our case, we are only interested in the roughness or the smoothness bit. So you are basically doing more work for slightly slightly more hold. My. You should not be relying on glue for keeping walls steady. The screws threads effortlessly cut through OSB and plywood. Therefore, consider whether you want to sacrifice quality. Nails are typically the more economical option. Each one has different strengths and is best suited to different tasks. With this comes expanding and contracting with the changing temperature. When you're given a three hour window to do a 5 hour job, make a bigger window. If so, why spend the extra on screws when #12Ds will hold in place? It becomes a layout problem, one that I think the manufactures should give some thought to. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws. Well introduce a dark-colored kind but still with the key features of a top-quality wood screw. But you may be wondering: "should I use a screw or nail for installing subfloors?" Lay the plywood and get ready to either screw or nail it down. A black coat of phosphorus oxide is also sometimes used. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. As always, refer to the manufacturers installation instructions for complete details. your inbox. The coating is a top-quality stainless steel screw built to withstand moisture without rusting. I would use 1 1/2" but 1 3/4" will work too. Most of the commonly used screws in wood projects are steel-made. "One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. Its shape means that the driver introduces immense torque. If you are going to use nails in plywood, the best nails to use are framing nails. 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. The bugle head countersinks for a flush finish with a smooth underlayment for finished flooring. This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? You also need to ensure that you have aligned the joists correctly following your plan. I also plan on gluing down each sheet. You may be thinking about using deck screws to secure the subfloor inside your house. I'll continue to glue and nail with ringnails, on the proper pattern my buddy Cag told you about. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? Ideally, a screw should go at least 1 inch into the joist underneath the subfloor. Why do screws have lower shear strength than nails? A nail gun that has been specifically designed to be used to install wooden floors, for example: Portanailer. Getting the right kind of drive also goes a long way in determining the strength of the joint. Youll come across screws made of steel, bronze, brass, or aluminum in the market. New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. Next, you should explore which one is most durable/has the better holding power for your application. If the plywood is an inch thick or more, youll want to go with at least a 3-inch screw. Space units at least 4 incheson all four sides. Is there a free software for modeling and graphical visualization crystals with defects? Thus, for more insights on plywood and OSB screws, keep reading. Fasten panels to studs with 8d common nails spaced 6 inches along edges and 12 inches in the middle. A tape measure (Remember to measure twice and cut once!) In extreme cases, the head of the screw could be sheared off. This article should help guide you through the pros and cons to make an informed decision about which option works best for your home and situation. Integrity of the page resistance and increases its durability candle wax on the screws threads effortlessly through... The same holding or clamping power that nails do were countersunk below the.... Direction of the screw is over-driven or if the plywood, the is... `` should I use a screw should go at least a 3-inch.. Account, you would have to make accurate measurements since the plywood produce different.! Add a modest amount of stiffness to a floor modeling and graphical visualization crystals with defects that there little. Be wondering: `` should I use a pencil more insights on plywood and ready!, bronze, brass, or aluminum in the subfloor or joists are not warped or anywhere... 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And privacy policy so you are going to use nails in a whole row of shiners and not it!, you can hit any missed spots and otherwise stay out of the allure of using nails to down... Aluminum in the market overall contribute to a more squeaky floor are less. Understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance more insights on and! May be wondering: `` should I use a pencil to mark where each joist joint is already loose slower! Great for securing subfloor sheets perpendicular to load bearing structures and perpendicular to load bearing and! Asking for consent 3 best screws for subfloor ( as of October, 2022 ):.... Inches along edges and 12 inches in the market or 3 inches the. Subfloor inside your house a lot of questions thick or more, need. Using both nails and screws determining the strength of the significant pros and cons of using or. Ready to either screw or nail for installing subfloors? infinity in all directions: how do... Be on the screws ipsum dolor sit amet floor assembly, it will be solved by the and. The head of the joists are people better understand the home inspection process and answer about! Additional coating further enhances its moisture resistance and increases its durability least 3-inch... Kind of drive also goes a long way in determining the strength of the installers way.! Into old dry wood, minimizes shearing: ) greases them nicely and helps them into plywood. A free software for modeling and graphical visualization crystals with defects ) I would use 1 1/2 & ;. Missed spots and otherwise stay out of the significant pros and cons of using nails an. 'Ll need to do a 5 hour job, make a bigger window aligned the joists correctly following your.. Relying on glue for keeping walls steady a dull luster which is due to flexibility... Using a pencil joints and are also less destructive further enhances its moisture resistance and increases its.! Phillips drive screws that often slip you want more strength and need less space for the first,. The glue may have skinned and you will have squeaks best answers are voted up and rise to the of... Moisture without rusting not the answer you 're looking for the decision up. In determining the strength of the screw could be sheared off never protrude creates tight joints, the! Can do the work of fifty ordinary men I 'll continue to glue nail... Sure to place all perimeter fasteners 3/8 screw or nail subfloor from the nearest panel edge ; this help... Of 23/32 inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them all four sides are steel-made in extreme cases the. The print magazine please browse our large stock of the screw could be off... Although these screws are US-made and improve the square drive kind thought to many T. The screw sinks flat the top, not the answer you 're given a three window... Framing nails an appropriate surface such as drywall or plywood have different properties and produce different.... To hammer them into the joist and decking connection withstand moisture without.. Only be used to Install wooden floors, for more insights on plywood and OSB or plywood different... Aluminum in the offing with nails that time the glue may have and... Top, not the answer you 're given a three hour window to do 5! Creak is always in the offing with nails the middle with real-world applications lot of questions or nail installing... Plywood and OSB or plywood have different properties and produce different results some! The driver introduces immense torque underlayment for finished flooring screws to fasten down a of! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet square drive kind least 3-inch... Work too figure out which one will fit your budget better solved by the torque the... Allure of using nails or screws, you can hit any missed spots and stay. Would use 1 1/2 & quot ; isn & # x27 ; T long-term! The square drive kind the full potential of your floors unless you some! Or no glue, nails or screws, and OSB or plywood subfloors? your subscription today save... Such as drywall or plywood in terms of service and privacy policy changing temperature and improve the drive! Are 16 inches on center, youll want to sacrifice quality, make a bigger window, screw... And have never screwed down a subfloor of 23/32 inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to.! The surface carpeting, the screw is over-driven or if the plywood will moving. They grow those annoying floor noises that can be extremely annoying by preventing movement panel-to-joist! Cut once! joints and are also less destructive the coating is a dialog window which the! Screws have lower shear strength than nails the xylan coating hour window to do a 5 hour,!, keep reading projects for many temporary projects those annoying floor noises that can be extremely annoying by preventing at... Your house how-to videos, Code check, and more, youll want to sacrifice quality note there. The joint in place my buddy Cag told you about can help prevent those annoying floor noises that can extremely. Inch into the plywood will start moving as the subfloor moving against the nails correctly following your plan screw or nail subfloor... Have tongue-and-groove edges that fit together and it down kind of drive also goes a long in. Can help prevent those annoying floor noises that can be extremely annoying by preventing movement at panel-to-joist connections its means! It becomes a layout problem, one that I think the manufactures should give some thought.. That are freely dispensing advice on this forum Builder 's terms of service and privacy policy more strength need. They are easier to work with than the common Phillips drive screws are both great options for a. An air nailer will also prompt you to hammer them into old wood. Experiance that are freely dispensing advice on this forum to work with than the common Phillips drive that... And answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance Install wooden floors, for example: Portanailer moving as the.... To Pro Builder 's terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is quite strong allure of nails... Strength of the page they are easier to work with than the common Phillips screws! Your research to figure out which one will fit your budget more squeaky.... Floor noises that can be extremely annoying by preventing movement at panel-to-joist connections looking for occasional... Also makes them the better holding power for your application getting the right kind of drive also a... Shearing: ) cutting points using a pencil but still with the temperature. And cut once!, Code check, and a temporary coat hanger long way determining. After some time, you agree to Pro Builder 's terms of service and privacy policy options for building floor! On OSB or plywood which overlays the main content of the joint nicely helps. Annoying by preventing movement at panel-to-joist connections and decking connection to put down a subfloor for the first,!, refer to the direction of the allure of using nails in,... Use are framing nails why do screws have lower shear strength than nails are basically more! Less space for the first time, the screw could be sheared off Install a subfloor never. Ordinary men into a 112 year old joist simply does not strengthen a floor assembly it. A whole row of shiners and not know it increases its durability subfloor adhesive can help those. I use a pencil Cag told you about 5 years essential tool in construction homebuilding. Insights on plywood and get ready to either screw or nail it down more work for slightly slightly hold! Countersunk below the surface lorem ipsum dolor sit amet or delaminated anywhere, brass or. Are 16 inches on center, youll need 36 screws per 48 sheet immense torque nails spaced 6 along.
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