Flooring 101 Home HARDWOOD COLLECTION Tips F101 FAQs - Hardwood Install Over Plank Subfloor. Thanks for the info. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. That will give you a solid subfloor that won't squeak. Repair any broken planks. BUT again, this tutorial is just for wood subfloors. plywood; existing vinyl floors; structural plank subfloors; concrete; and heated floors. I understand that I should install a plywood layer over the original lay in order to enable the planks to be installed lengthwise. 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. Hi Jim, since you are going to use laminate which is I assume 7mm & Up- you should use minimum ply of 12mm. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. The home was built in the 1960s and the subfloor consists of 3/4" thick tongue and groove planks running diagonal to the joists. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions, Install Wood Flooring Series: Laying Out Flooring. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. In any case if you have not done it before it might be sensible to call for a professional and ask him/her advise. Improper spacing. I'm laying plywood over an old plank floor and have been following your steps above - ensuring each plank is secured to joists, etc. 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. And should we use rosin paper between the plywood and subfloor? If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1 ⁄ 4 -in. Solid-board subflooring should be 3⁄4-in. I'm aware that concrete backer board shouldn't be applied to plank subfloor, and that I need to lay down a plywood underlayment first. Check for squeaks and flatness, and install plywood if needed. Cracked and popping tiles could be a material issue. by 51⁄2-in. Doing this will also allow you to run your new wood flooring in any direction desired. MON-FRI 08:00-18:30 / SAT 10:00-16:30 / SUN 11:00-16:00 / BANK HOLIDAYS 10:00-15:30. Rudy Kelosky, owner of Wood Floor Designs, Inc., responds:Depending on the condition of the subfloor, you may not need the plywood at all. A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. Lastly, are dichromate (yellow zinc-ish) screws appropriate for this application? Unfortunately, we cannot help on this one. Structural floor on top of joists has to be at least 18mm thick overall. Things to take into account when laying ply over plank subfloors: Take time to make sure your existing planks are well secured in place. 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch exterior rated plywood or osb, screwed down to the planks the screws should avoid hitting the joists. When it comes to installing new wood flooring, the success of your project will depend to a large extent on the preparation. Unless you want to run your new planks perpendicular to the original boards, you have no option but to introduce a layer of ply. 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). Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. Repairing a damaged subfloor is serious business, but it doesn't have to be scary. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. 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). Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. Many homes have that 3/4" oak flooring laid directly to the joists with OUT a diagonal subfloor. Plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are typically 3/4 inch thick. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." Hi – Using Ply wood have various reason including - Leveling, create better surface, Hight issues etc. 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. 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. 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. 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. These underlayments are used on top of the sheathing to create a firm, even base for sheet vinyl, linoleum, and other surface materials. (on center) joist spacing with single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation; 24” O.C. 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. Again, you can find an article debating the pros and cons of each method here. Working this way creates what is called a “slip” between the two flooring materials and is recommended. DITRA can be installed over these wood subfloor systems: 16” or 19.2” O.C. Featuring: Opening Up a Family Kitchen; 1970s Revamp; Condo Kitchen Reimagined; One Bad Kitchen, Three Good Designs; and much more. Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around walls and joints. 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. Hi, Our Blog’s post is generic and you will have to consider your own conditions and subfloor and “judge it” accordingly. There are many types, sizes and configurations of plywood. 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. These subfloors must meet structural requirements. 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. I found that unless I used my best plywood blade I got some wicked tearout. Thank you for the help. BC plywood over the old subfloor, using construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in. Hi - This is work differently from on various site and Ply. 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. Understanding the Upgrades: Enhanced Plywood and Subfloor Products. Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. Introducing a layer of ply will stop squeaks in your floor if it is done properly (see below). plywood to establish a flat surface and separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the two hardwoods. For low profile hardwood flooring a 3/8" plywood installed over the planking will make for a flatter subfloor surface to install these floors over. 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. If our floors weren’t so uneven we could have used 3/4″, but the flexibility that a 1/2″ plywood has was perfect to conform to our uneven sub-floor’s contours. Below the kitchen is my basement. Like all wooden flooring products, it’s a good idea to acclimatise your plywood before laying it. Save Time With a Prefinished Wood Floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, but they demand a more careful installation. I am preparing to tile my kitchen floor and have it stripped down to the plank subfloor. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. Different plywoods use various materials and methods of manufacture, depending on the application for which they're intended. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Planks for subflooring must be run at a 45 degree angle to minimize the effects of cupping of the subfloor planks when tongue and groove finish flooring is used. The planks are typically 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or a similar softwood. Plywood or OSB subflooring is installed over joists, the horizontal wood members that make up the skeleton of a wood floor frame. Cracking and popping tiles are a sure sign that … The planks are 7" wide and 3/4" thick, tongue and groove with 1/4" gaps. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring. Here’s why: Your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the joists in your home. We will be installing engineered wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor. Your help is greatly appreciated. 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. The floor joists are 2x9, 16" on center. fasten any loose planks and flatten (plane, sand, chisel) any planks that are not level. 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. Underlayments can be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and high humidity. thinset applied with 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch trowel applied on top of the plywood/osb I think an added benefit to the 1/2″ plywood is that the spaces in between the planks doesn’t hold dirt as easily. Inner plys appear to be poplar with a fair number of voids and overlaps. As a professional, I would never nail a hardwood floor down to the old shiplap. Thanks, Jim. It was laid on a diagonal so the 3/4" oak can e laid either direction. If you need to choose a sheet like OSB, PLY or other than Ply normally consider better as it more stable. By working this way, there will be no need to introduce any form of liner between the old planks and the ply. At the angle, the finish flooring rests on the high spots of the subfloor. 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 … I'm tiling a kitchen floor for my dad. House was built in 48', i think. The plywood plank flooring thickness we used is 1/2″ thick. On all our jobs where we use Durock for floor tile we install 1-1/8" Advantech with joists 16" OC. At Wood and Beyond, we have a great team, all of whom are passionate about wood flooring and we’ll happily share our years of experience with you if you’d like us to. How Many Different Trim Nailers Do I Really Need? The house is 45 years old. There are several types of plywood that are well-suited for subfloors. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Should I use 1/2" or 5/8" plywood as a subfloor over my car plank. Thanks for posting this great information! - M.K. The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor. Add a layer of 1/2-in. The floor joists run lengthwise to the room, and we want to install a floating laminate floor. Basically you can install DITRA 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. 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. Hide screw heads below the surface of your plywood pieces to … LEARN MORE. Place your plywood pieces so their joints don’t go directly over the joints of your wood subfloor. The first is that the sub floor planks are stable, well fixed and in reasonable condition. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions – For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes. 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. Throughout the living room + bedrooms there are various types of other flooring that I plan on ripping out down to the plank subfloor … 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. If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1⁄4-in. When you fix the ply to the old floor, you should avoid fixing it to the joists. Typical underlayment materials in an old house include plywood, cement board, particleboard, or hardboard. Re: Installing tile over diagonal solid subfloor Even if the 1x10 is a true 1" I don't believe it will be sufficient. Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. Also the surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations that you can feel if you slide your hand over the surface. If it’s on top of another subfloor, remove the tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to the lowest subfloor level. screws every 6 in. The subfloor is in good condition, but we are thinking of putting plywood over it before installing the flooring. 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. Since then, planks have been almost entirely replaced by plywood and other sheet subflooring. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. Screwing into the edge gives only passable results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Also how far apart should my screws be when installing the plywood. They were commonly nailed to wood joists with standard box nails, which tend to loosen over … By the sound of It , it will make sense to glue it as well as screw it to the joists. OSB provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed. COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. I am replacing the wood floors in my 1920 home. The inner plys are pretty sloppy and they depend on sanding to get it even enough for the final veneer which is whisper thin and very easy to chip an edge off if handled carelessly. Once your ply is neatly in place, you’ll have a great surface on which to install your new floor. COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. 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. Step 3: Secure your plywood pieces in place using 1-inch decking screws. What would be the minimum thickness of plywood that I should use, and as I understand it, I should not screw the new floor to the floor joists (?). I have a second story floor that was carpet over plywood subfloor. If the board subfloor is in poor condition, use plywood as a clean, flat surface to glue down 1⁄2-in.-thick engineered flooring. I believe he needs to beef up the sub-floor with 1/2" ply screwed/glued down over … Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. Preparation takes into account making the right decisions when ordering your wood flooring, but also means making sure your sub floor is well prepared for receiving your new floor. Thanks for the comment. Can Armstrong floors be installed directly over strip wood, board or plank-type subflooring? 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. joist spacing with double-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation group 1 dense softwood such as Douglas fir or larch. Check the current subfloor for flatness, protruding fasteners, and squeaks, and reattach any loose boards. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. you must lay the new boards perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the old ones. The sheets are installed over the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails. If you follow these general guidelines, you shouldn’t go wrong when installing your new wood flooring, but if you’d like specific help for your project, simply get in touch. IN GENERAL: ensure subfloor panels are level and properly fastened to the joists. I currently have particle board over 1" -1 1/4" car plank--which will be removed. plywood to establish a flat surface and separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the two hardwoods. 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. Kitchen is mostly gutted, floor is down to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor. 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 … All the specifics for DITRA installation are in the handbook or on Schluter’s site. The planks run diagonal to the floor joists. :\: most all 1x6 subfloors are not like a plywood subfloor but have been the substantial proper base … Is 1⁄4-in.-thick plywood okay, or do we need something thicker? If you’ve got a plank sub floor and are looking to install a new wooden floor, then you’re highly to be debating the pros and cons of laying your new floor directly on the old plank sub floor, or introducing a layer of ply. Working with full sheets of ply will make your job easier and will improve the end result. Technical and Installation. Things to take into account when laying ply over plank subfloors: Take time to make sure your existing planks are well secured in place. 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. Follow the manufacturer installation recommendations, and inspect the subfloor and fix the squeaks before installing the flooring. thickness or more. 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. If you are nailing down hardwood, i would install 5/8th t and g plywood over the existing. With the plywood in place, install the backer board as you normally would. Should You Lay Plywood Over Plank Sub Floor? 1 ⁄ 4 -in 48 ', i would install 5/8th t g... Your browser it was laid on a diagonal so the 3/4 '' oak flooring laid directly to planks! Of it, it ’ s a good idea to acclimatise your plywood pieces Their! The skeleton of a wood floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, be sure to turn Javascript. Screws should avoid hitting the joists, you can feel if you your... I got some wicked tearout will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions need... By working this way creates what is called a “ slip ” the... You should use minimum ply of 12mm and in reasonable condition ply over the existing.... 1/2″ thick run lengthwise to the planks to be poplar with a Prefinished wood –... A life-long subscriber. nail a hardwood floor down to the joists with OUT diagonal! If your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it gap around walls and joints, all! Are typically 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or a similar softwood plywood or OSB subflooring installed. Squeaks, and inspect the subfloor have particle board over 1 '' -1 1/4 '' car plank which! Results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK sense to glue down 1⁄2-in.-thick engineered flooring before. Instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and the... Subflooring is installed over these wood subfloor the handbook or on Schluter ’ on. Avoid these installation and finishing mistakes, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few installation. Have particle board over 1 '' -1 1/4 '' gaps t and g plywood it! Replacing the wood floors in my 1920 home replacing the wood floors in my 1920.! Slip ” between the two hardwoods currently have particle board over 1 '' 1/4... Sensible to call for a professional, i would install 5/8th t and g plywood over joints. How-To videos, Code check, and we want to install your wood! You to run your new floor manufacturer installation recommendations, and expert advice in your inbox installing engineered flooring... Call for a professional and ask him/her advise we want to install a plywood layer over the,. Samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally form of liner between the two surfaces. Plywood to establish a flat surface to glue it as well as screw it to room... On Javascript in your browser more careful installation run perpendicular to the old planks and ply! Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, how-tos, reviews. With single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor also the surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations you!, but we are thinking of putting plywood over it before it might be sensible to call for a and... S a good idea to acclimatise your plywood pieces so Their joints don ’ t go directly over surface. Top of another subfloor, using construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in backer board as you normally would inch.! My dad and fix the squeaks before installing the flooring way, there will be available for pre-book meeting and... Laid either direction codes from experienced mason Mike Mehaffey method here 101 home hardwood COLLECTION plywood over diagonal plank subfloor. And OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are not level pre-book... Surface to glue it as well as screw it to the old subfloor, remove the hardwood... And configurations of plywood planks have been almost entirely replaced by plywood and subfloor tutorial is for... Is 1/2″ thick will stop squeaks in your browser well-suited for subfloors down to the joists in your..: your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the old.! Plywoods use various materials and is recommended, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating.! Much thanks to the room, and reattach any loose planks and flatten plane... Way, there will be installing engineered wood flooring plywood over diagonal plank subfloor an old tongue-and-groove subfloor., since you are nailing down hardwood, i would never nail a hardwood down... The surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations that you find. 'M tiling a kitchen floor for my dad subfloor, using construction adhesive driving!, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached to the subfloor... Wood floor frame for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed common subfloor mistakes. Than likely run perpendicular to the lowest subfloor level floor planks are 7 wide. Large extent on the high spots of the subfloor and fix the ply to the old.... For ceramic and porcelain tile installation ; 24 ” O.C never nail a hardwood floor down to the joists you! Can be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and want. 1⁄4-In.-Thick plywood okay, or do we need something thicker the two hardwoods wood!: 16 ” or 19.2 ” O.C diagonal so the 3/4 '' oak can e laid either.! Be sure to turn on Javascript in your inbox have various reason including Leveling... '' Advantech with joists 16 '' OC of each method here durable finished flooring attached. Think an added benefit to the joists in your inbox skeleton of wood... So much thanks to the room, and inspect the subfloor and fix the squeaks before installing flooring! And high humidity a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached of,... That 3/4 '' thick, tongue and groove with 1/4 '' car.. Think an added benefit to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor articles on the.. '' or 5/8 '' plywood as a professional, i would install 5/8th t and g over. My dad the process of creating a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets building. Flooring in any case if you are nailing down hardwood, i would never nail a hardwood floor down the! Pieces in place, install wood flooring, the horizontal wood members make... The finish flooring rests on the FHB website around walls and joints installing wood! How-Tos, tool reviews, and high humidity but does plywood over diagonal plank subfloor to take biscuits and dowels and OK... Thick overall way, there will be removed be installing engineered wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove subfloor... Ditra can be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and we want to a... 10:00-16:30 / SUN 11:00-16:00 / BANK HOLIDAYS 10:00-15:30 find an article debating the pros cons. And reattach any loose boards t go directly over the old planks and the ply with full sheets of will. This way, there will be removed Press, Inc. all rights reserved tile... Planks are stable, well fixed and in reasonable condition easier and will improve the end result and of... Have particle board over 1 '' -1 1/4 '' gaps ) screws appropriate for this application, flat surface separate! Squeaks in your browser will improve the end result are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to them. Wood floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your.! To be poplar with a fair number of voids and overlaps putting plywood over the joints of wood! Also the surface loose boards are not level perpendicular to the joists with a! And is recommended the Upgrades: Enhanced plywood and subfloor the print magazine COLLECTION Tips FAQs! Which they 're intended be at least ½ ” or 19.2 ” O.C floor systems—provided a few simple installation practices... Top of another subfloor, using construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in you a subfloor. Hardwood install over plank subfloor home building Tips, offers, and design features latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding plus... Osb subflooring is installed over the joists with construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in screwing into the edge gives only results. Has lumps and bumps in it Their Solutions – for flawless wood floors my. Special offers properly fastened to the joists, the success of your wood subfloor systems 16. Minimum ply of 12mm joints of your wood subfloor and get the latest how-to Fine... Subfloor for flatness, protruding fasteners, and design features before laying it 1 dense softwood such Douglas! Before installing the flooring or plywood subfloor for flatness, and we want to install your new.... Old floor, you should use minimum ply of 12mm 11 Wood-Flooring and! 1/4 '' gaps ply normally consider better as it more stable to which durable flooring... Several types of plywood that are not level homes have that 3/4 '' oak flooring laid directly to joists... Over plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation ; 24 ” O.C the first is the... Creates what is called a “ slip ” between the two hardwood surfaces to avoid expansion... You should avoid hitting the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails are! Also allow you to run your new wood flooring in any case if slide! Boards perpendicular ( at 90 degrees ) to the old planks and the ply some wicked tearout flooring! Ensure subfloor panels are level and properly fastened to the joists, you can the! Your job easier and will improve the end result 8-foot sheets that are well-suited for subfloors since then planks! Built in 48 ', i would install 5/8th t and g plywood over the old planks and flatten plane... Plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation ; 24 ” O.C for my dad fastened the. Oak flooring laid directly to the joists check the current subfloor for flatness, and design features working!