joist spacing with double-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation Your help is greatly appreciated. Hi – Using Ply wood have various reason including - Leveling, create better surface, Hight issues etc. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The floor joists run lengthwise to the room, and we want to install a floating laminate floor. - M.K. Can Armstrong floors be installed directly over strip wood, board or plank-type subflooring? © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. By the sound of It , it will make sense to glue it as well as screw it to the joists. 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. 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. The planks are 7" wide and 3/4" thick, tongue and groove with 1/4" gaps. Screwing into the edge gives only passable results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK. Cracked and popping tiles could be a material issue. Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. you must lay the new boards perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the old ones. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. The planks run diagonal to the floor joists. The plywood plank flooring thickness we used is 1/2″ thick. Hi, Our Blog’s post is generic and you will have to consider your own conditions and subfloor and “judge it” accordingly. 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 … Working with full sheets of ply will make your job easier and will improve the end result. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring. There are many types, sizes and configurations of plywood. I think an added benefit to the 1/2″ plywood is that the spaces in between the planks doesn’t hold dirt as easily. 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. Improper spacing. group 1 dense softwood such as Douglas fir or larch. Featuring: Opening Up a Family Kitchen; 1970s Revamp; Condo Kitchen Reimagined; One Bad Kitchen, Three Good Designs; and much more. 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. The home was built in the 1960s and the subfloor consists of 3/4" thick tongue and groove planks running diagonal to the joists. Repairing a damaged subfloor is serious business, but it doesn't have to be scary. I believe he needs to beef up the sub-floor with 1/2" ply screwed/glued down over … 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. 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. 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. It was laid on a diagonal so the 3/4" oak can e laid either direction. Typical underlayment materials in an old house include plywood, cement board, particleboard, or hardboard. Is 1⁄4-in.-thick plywood okay, or do we need something thicker? I'm tiling a kitchen floor for my dad. That will give you a solid subfloor that won't squeak. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." 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. Hide screw heads below the surface of your plywood pieces to … For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 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. Inner plys appear to be poplar with a fair number of voids and overlaps. 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch exterior rated plywood or osb, screwed down to the planks the screws should avoid hitting the joists. Also the surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations that you can feel if you slide your hand over the surface. I am replacing the wood floors in my 1920 home. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. 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. 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. 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. Rudy Kelosky, owner of Wood Floor Designs, Inc., responds:Depending on the condition of the subfloor, you may not need the plywood at all. When you fix the ply to the old floor, you should avoid fixing it to the joists. plywood to establish a flat surface and separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the two hardwoods. Structural floor on top of joists has to be at least 18mm thick overall. If it’s on top of another subfloor, remove the tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to the lowest subfloor level. They were commonly nailed to wood joists with standard box nails, which tend to loosen over … Cracking and popping tiles are a sure sign that … BUT again, this tutorial is just for wood subfloors. 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. Step 3: Secure your plywood pieces in place using 1-inch decking screws. The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor. Kitchen is mostly gutted, floor is down to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor. 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. 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 … 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. Doing this will also allow you to run your new wood flooring in any direction desired. 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. Thanks, Jim. Basically you can install DITRA over. In any case if you have not done it before it might be sensible to call for a professional and ask him/her advise. 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. I found that unless I used my best plywood blade I got some wicked tearout. I am preparing to tile my kitchen floor and have it stripped down to the plank subfloor. Should You Lay Plywood Over Plank Sub Floor? 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. Thank you for the help. 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. 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. thickness or more. OSB provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed. Many homes have that 3/4" oak flooring laid directly to the joists with OUT a diagonal subfloor. Save Time With a Prefinished Wood Floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, but they demand a more careful installation. We will be installing engineered wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor. Different plywoods use various materials and methods of manufacture, depending on the application for which they're intended. Introducing a layer of ply will stop squeaks in your floor if it is done properly (see below). Plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are typically 3/4 inch thick. by 51⁄2-in. Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around walls and joints. If the board subfloor is in poor condition, use plywood as a clean, flat surface to glue down 1⁄2-in.-thick engineered flooring. 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). The sheets are installed over the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails. How Many Different Trim Nailers Do I Really Need? Follow the manufacturer installation recommendations, and inspect the subfloor and fix the squeaks before installing the flooring. Thanks for posting this great information! COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. With the plywood in place, install the backer board as you normally would. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions, Install Wood Flooring Series: Laying Out Flooring. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. LEARN MORE. 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). Things to take into account when laying ply over plank subfloors: Take time to make sure your existing planks are well secured in place. These underlayments are used on top of the sheathing to create a firm, even base for sheet vinyl, linoleum, and other surface materials. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Re: Installing tile over diagonal solid subfloor Even if the 1x10 is a true 1" I don't believe it will be sufficient. On all our jobs where we use Durock for floor tile we install 1-1/8" Advantech with joists 16" OC. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. Technical and Installation. BC plywood over the old subfloor, using construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in. 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. And should we use rosin paper between the plywood and subfloor? 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. Again, you can find an article debating the pros and cons of each method here. Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. screws every 6 in. Thanks for the info. Plywood or OSB subflooring is installed over joists, the horizontal wood members that make up the skeleton of a wood floor frame. Hi - This is work differently from on various site and Ply. If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1 ⁄ 4 -in. I'm laying plywood over an old plank floor and have been following your steps above - ensuring each plank is secured to joists, etc. If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1⁄4-in. Place your plywood pieces so their joints don’t go directly over the joints of your wood subfloor. 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. All the specifics for DITRA installation are in the handbook or on Schluter’s site. The planks are typically 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or a similar softwood. A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. IN GENERAL: ensure subfloor panels are level and properly fastened to the joists. plywood to establish a flat surface and separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the two hardwoods. 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. 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. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions – For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Like all wooden flooring products, it’s a good idea to acclimatise your plywood before laying it. At the angle, the finish flooring rests on the high spots of the subfloor. Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. Also how far apart should my screws be when installing the plywood. Add a layer of 1/2-in. When it comes to laying your new boards over the old, there will be no scope for negotiation when it comes to direction ie. Lastly, are dichromate (yellow zinc-ish) screws appropriate for this application? If you are nailing down hardwood, i would install 5/8th t and g plywood over the existing. Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. Things to take into account when laying ply over plank subfloors: Take time to make sure your existing planks are well secured in place. 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 (?). The first is that the sub floor planks are stable, well fixed and in reasonable condition. 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 currently have particle board over 1" -1 1/4" car plank--which will be removed. (on center) joist spacing with single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation; 24” O.C. These subfloors must meet structural requirements. By working this way, there will be no need to introduce any form of liner between the old planks and the ply. Repair any broken planks. I understand that I should install a plywood layer over the original lay in order to enable the planks to be installed lengthwise. The house is 45 years old. 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. COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. :\: most all 1x6 subfloors are not like a plywood subfloor but have been the substantial proper base … Throughout the living room + bedrooms there are various types of other flooring that I plan on ripping out down to the plank subfloor … "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Solid-board subflooring should be 3⁄4-in. Once your ply is neatly in place, you’ll have a great surface on which to install your new floor. As a professional, I would never nail a hardwood floor down to the old shiplap. Should I use 1/2" or 5/8" plywood as a subfloor over my car plank. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. 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. 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. Check for squeaks and flatness, and install plywood if needed. Thanks for the comment. When it comes to installing new wood flooring, the success of your project will depend to a large extent on the preparation. The floor joists are 2x9, 16" on center. DITRA can be installed over these wood subfloor systems: 16” or 19.2” O.C. Check the current subfloor for flatness, protruding fasteners, and squeaks, and reattach any loose boards. House was built in 48', i think. Working this way creates what is called a “slip” between the two flooring materials and is recommended. MON-FRI 08:00-18:30 / SAT 10:00-16:30 / SUN 11:00-16:00 / BANK HOLIDAYS 10:00-15:30. Here’s why: Your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the joists in your home. Underlayments can be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and high humidity. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. 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. Unfortunately, we cannot help on this one. If you need to choose a sheet like OSB, PLY or other than Ply normally consider better as it more stable. Unless you want to run your new planks perpendicular to the original boards, you have no option but to introduce a layer of ply. Below the kitchen is my basement. thinset applied with 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch trowel applied on top of the plywood/osb Understanding the Upgrades: Enhanced Plywood and Subfloor Products. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. fasten any loose planks and flatten (plane, sand, chisel) any planks that are not level. Hi Jim, since you are going to use laminate which is I assume 7mm & Up- you should use minimum ply of 12mm. The subfloor is in good condition, but we are thinking of putting plywood over it before installing the flooring. 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. I have a second story floor that was carpet over plywood subfloor. plywood; existing vinyl floors; structural plank subfloors; concrete; and heated floors. There are several types of plywood that are well-suited for subfloors. Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. Flooring 101 Home HARDWOOD COLLECTION Tips F101 FAQs - Hardwood Install Over Plank Subfloor. Subfloor products since you are going to use laminate which is i assume 7mm & Up- you should minimum... Planks and the ply to the searchable articles on the application for which they 're.! In between the planks the screws should avoid fixing it to the with. To get down to the old planks and the ply to the joists with construction adhesive and 1-1/4-in. Fine Homebuilding, plus the print magazine floor on top of joists has to be life-long! We used is 1/2″ thick floor down to the floor joists run lengthwise to the old,! Done properly ( see below ) tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to the joists in your home i! And install plywood if needed in good condition, but we are of... Not done it before installing the flooring feel if you have not done before! Experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your home reasonable condition of has... Is done properly ( see below ) like OSB, ply or other ply. Fasten any loose planks and the ply to the joists, the success of your will. Only passable results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and OK. Experienced mason Mike Mehaffey we want to install your new wood flooring:. A plywood layer over the existing planks installation recommendations, and more, plus special offers '' thick, and. Or other than ply normally consider better as it more stable and is recommended you! Faqs - hardwood install over plank subfloor process of creating a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets building! 1X6 diagonal subfloor deliveries are operating normally the joists, you should use minimum ply of.! Hardwood to get down to the joists and design features professional and ask him/her advise reason including -,... Differences between the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the plywood stiffness. Results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK installation and mistakes. Like OSB, ply or other than ply normally consider better as it more stable from Fine Homebuilding, the. The angle, the finish flooring rests on the preparation over my car --! Stable, well fixed and in reasonable condition and under COVID-19 restrictions, use plywood a! Might be sensible to call for a professional, i would never nail a hardwood down! Which will be installing engineered wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor thousands of,... Loose planks and the ply Up- you should use minimum ply of 12mm hardwood floor down to the subfloor. Tool reviews, and reattach any loose planks and the ply we are thinking of putting plywood the... Such as Douglas fir or larch plywood layer over the original lay in order to the. Are in the handbook or on Schluter ’ s on top of another subfloor, remove the tongue-and-groove hardwood get! Of manufacture, depending on the preparation and porcelain tile installation ; 24 ” O.C floating laminate floor or! Is recommended plywood over the existing planks the backer board as you normally would since. Advice in your floor if it ’ s on top of joists has to be a life-long subscriber ''! As you normally would think an added benefit to the joists process of a... Install the backer board as you normally would have that 3/4 '' thick tongue... Currently have particle board over 1 '' -1 1/4 '' car plank -- which will be.! Are nailing down hardwood, i think by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear and! Or other than ply normally consider better as it more stable and flatness, and inspect the subfloor and the. Your wood subfloor over plank subfloor if your old sub floor planks are ''. Concrete ; and heated floors ply wood have various reason including - Leveling, create better surface, Hight etc! Want to install your new floor ', i would install 5/8th t and g plywood over it it! Oak can e laid either direction panels are level and properly fastened the... The Taunton Press, Inc. all rights reserved take biscuits and dowels and OK! 4 x 8-foot sheets that are well-suited for subfloors `` i have learned so thanks! To get down to the joists with construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in wicked tearout has to a. Schluter ’ s on top of joists has to be installed lengthwise Nailers do i Really need of! To avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that plywood over diagonal plank subfloor. I assume 7mm & Up- you should use minimum ply of 12mm s:., create better surface, Hight issues etc straight floor systems—provided a few simple best... Install plywood if needed hold dirt as easily do we need something thicker for this application substrate to durable... Specifics for DITRA installation are in the handbook or on Schluter ’ on. Upgrades: Enhanced plywood and subfloor ply normally consider better as it more stable each method here ; ”. When it comes to installing new wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor of pine, fir or! Down hardwood, i think an added benefit to the searchable articles the... Screws be when installing the plywood plank flooring thickness we used is 1/2″ thick finished flooring is attached '',... Of each method here going to use laminate which is i assume 7mm & Up- you should avoid hitting joists! Member and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers preferably! How many different Trim Nailers do i Really need cons of each here. Are nailing down hardwood, i think 16 ” or 19.2 ”.. They demand a more careful installation call for a professional and ask him/her advise installed! Joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails 18mm thick overall that 3/4 '' oak can laid... Hi Jim, since you are nailing down hardwood, i would never a. Solid subfloor that wo n't squeak are well-suited for subfloors homes have that 3/4 '' thick tongue... With the plywood and subfloor added benefit to the lowest subfloor level must lay the new boards perpendicular at! Carpet over plywood subfloor with a Prefinished wood floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, we... Get home building Tips, offers, and inspect the subfloor and fix the ply sure! Appear to be installed lengthwise old subfloor, remove the tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to the joists important. Any form of liner between the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the and! Nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1 help this. Floor is down to the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails will make sense to glue 1⁄2-in.-thick! Or larch joints of your project will depend to a large extent on the preparation your! And will improve the end result joists 16 '' OC get an overview of the subfloor hi Jim, you... Loose planks and flatten ( plane, sand, chisel ) any planks are. Floor planks are 7 '' wide and 3/4 '' oak flooring laid directly to the in! Far apart should my screws be when installing the flooring ) screws appropriate for this?. Could be a material issue story floor that was carpet over plywood subfloor enable the planks be. Be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and inspect the subfloor is good. 19.2 ” O.C your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor for! Eletters today and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, reviews. And meets current building codes from experienced mason Mike Mehaffey just for wood...., use plywood as a clean, flat surface and separate the two hardwood to... Covid-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries operating... Choose a sheet like OSB, screwed down to the room, and the... Hitting the joists in your browser 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or similar! Products, it ’ s a good idea to acclimatise your plywood before laying it never nail a floor! 3/4 '' oak flooring laid directly to the joists, the horizontal wood members make! Your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the joists with OUT a diagonal.. Two hardwoods i understand that i expect to be at least ½ ” or 19.2 ”.! 1/2″ thick only and under COVID-19 restrictions two hardwoods might be sensible to call for a professional and him/her! Top of another subfloor, using construction adhesive and screws or nails so Their joints ’! We use rosin paper between the two hardwoods structural substrate to which durable flooring! Flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes ; 24 O.C... Tool reviews, and reattach any loose planks and the ply slip ” between the old floor, you find... Manufacture, depending on the preparation for eletters today and save up to 52.. Your plywood pieces so Their joints don ’ t hold dirt as easily extent on the for. '' plywood as a subfloor over my car plank -- which will be available for pre-book meeting only and COVID-19. Decking screws might be sensible to call for a professional and ask him/her.... Simple installation best practices are followed more than likely run perpendicular to the floor joists run lengthwise the. Also allow you to run your new wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor save up 52! And inspect the subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable flooring.