Place nails 6 inches apart on the supported edges of a panel and 12 inches in from each edge if not specified by construction drawings. Made with a black phosphate finish and coarse threads, you can also use these drywall screws to secure the plywood subfloor. They may or may not use glue as well; depends on the crew. Secure the plywood on the subfloor using wood screws. Therefore, consider whether you want to sacrifice quality. Nails and screws perform a similar function, and some types of nails (like spiral shank nails) even look like screwswhich might lead you to believe that these two fasteners are interchangeable for construction and home improvement projects. Choosing to install screws will help to ensure a tighter subfloor overall. Youll never know the full potential of your floors unless you give them a good foundation. The types of stresses the fasteners will be subject to, The scale of the project and the speed at which you need to complete it, Whether the structure is temporary or permanent, What tools youll be using to install the fasteners, The materials that they are being used in. Simpson Strong-Tie WSNTL212R400 Screw for Subfloor - Strength When You Need It Review 3. They have a significantly long shank that makes it easy even for any woodwork novice to drive them in effortlessly. Safety goggles (Remember, any time you work with tools, "safety first!") Instructions For Installing Another Layer Of Plywood. If the branches will not be used right away, place the freshly cut ends into a vase filled with water. Screws have more holding power than nails and have a high failure strength that makes them well suited for high-stress structural projects. The nail gun will use flat nails that have teeth on either edge which grip into the flooring plank and subfloor tightly. Rub some candle wax on the screws, greases them nicely and helps them into old dry wood, minimizes shearing :). Among the factors to consider when choosing between nails and screws are: In general, screws have better holding power and superior strength than nails, and they are more easily removable. Screws are preferred over nails for subfloor and underlayment . A regular electric drill can help speed things along, but you dont have to stop there. Lay the plywood and get ready to either screw or nail it down. If you are going to use nails in plywood, the best nails to use are framing nails. If you are prepared to incur the additional cost - and glue does eventually dry and crumble and lose adhesion - and nails do squeak - and rigidity / stiffness would be enhanced with screws, why would you NOT use screws ?Gavin Pitchford. Wood screws are the way to go when it comes to attaching and fastening down plywood. Screw a deck? Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. If so, why spend the extra on screws when #12Ds will hold in place? Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Driving a nail into a 112 year old joist simply does not have the same holding or clamping power that nails do. Here are some of their pros and cons: Here are all the good and the bad characteristics of using screws on your subfloor installation: Nails are an essential tool in construction and homebuilding. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. If nails, ring-shank flooring nails, 1 1/4". Nails and screws are both great options for building a floor. ONly time you need to screw it down is usually when the silly worker forgot to crown up your joists. I have available to me a nice corded drill, and an air-powered framing nailer. Depending on the type of project you need to do, you will need to use screws or nails. That IS the three-hour window, installers come by first thing in the morning, and I'm still at work tonight. If it isn't sods law says you will hit something. As a result, you'll want to be sure to research your screw or nail options to see which one will work best for your project. If the plywood is an inch thick or more, youll want to go with at least a 3-inch screw. Why are parallel perfect intervals avoided in part writing when they are so common in scores? My. Hammering nails will destroy the soft plywood or OSB. Thus, the driver has a firmer grip on the screw facilitating the delivery of extra torque. They are 3.25" long. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Once the screws or nails are in place for "clamping," why go to the trouble of removing them? Sub-floors are exposed to heat and cold throughout the year. While using a regular electric drill or an auto-feed drill isnt nearly as fast or easy at nailing something together using a nail gun, it does speed things up and offers some relief for tiring hands. It would be best for the plywood project to settle for the coarse threads over the fine ones. The additional coating further enhances its moisture resistance and increases its durability. 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. The bugle head countersinks for a flush finish with a smooth underlayment for finished flooring. I am surprised the engineer specced 12d nails. Plus, they come in a handy 195-count package, so youll always have what you need on hand. It will rebuff all the moisture. The nail goes through the board and into the subfloor, thus fixing it in place. (Explained), Differences Between Subfloor, Floor Joists, Engineered Wood Beams, & Floor Trusses, Adding a Second Story to Your House (7 Things To Know), What is Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): Beam & Span Guide, Do Garages Need Foundations: Lets Find Out. For instance, a thick subfloor can take a 3-inch screw that you drive through the subfloor until they are firmly in place. Making tree house bed. Underlayment and Subfloor Screws provide strong and long-lasting holds for securing both underlayment and subfloor in subfloor installations. In contrast, the shank of the screw has a spiral groove that yields much more resistance to being pulled out of the wood it has penetrated. Thanks for the advice. Thus, it has everything to do with torque distribution during the screwing process. They will not snap when the project requires some force or manipulation of a material like plywood sheathing for your exterior walls. 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. say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." It doesn't sound like you're reattaching the entire floor; this is more like strategic intervals to solidify the fastening. Do you know if the underfloor is clear of services? Ships today when you order in the next 8 hours 35 minutes. Below is a quick overview of the significant pros and cons of using nails or screws to fasten down a subfloor. Again, using nails to attach plywood isnt ideal because screws are typically better, but framing nails are your best option if you absolutely must. A screw, however, will hold, thanks to its threads. If the plywood is quite dense in thickness, you can use a number 8 weight drywall screw. Screws usually form a better bond between materials, but there are some other options to consider. Here's the main reason why you should use them while installing a subfloor: To provide a long-lasting and strong hold between your underlayment and subfloor. You ensure that you mark the cutting points using a pencil. Theyre more durable and less likely to cause the plywood to splinter as regular screws or nails would. Even if you make a mistake during installation, it can remove screws. How far apart should nails be on subfloor? I also plan on gluing down each sheet. You need a screw which isn't fully threaded so it pulls down properly. There are a few manufacturers that sell auto-feed screwdrivers that allow for faster installation, such as Senco and Makita. Be sure to place all perimeter fasteners 3/8 inchback from the nearest panel edge; this will help reduce the chance of edge swell. They are not. Each one has different strengths and is best suited to different tasks. There are also other critical considerations, such as tapered or not. So, the only thing keeping them secure is the pressure of the material (typically wood) around the shank when installed. Screws are also preferable when installing subfloors, because they are. Senco 08200Y Screw for Subfloor - Quick Installation, Lasting Hold Review 2. Choosing a screw or nail will contribute to whether your sub flooring will squeak or not. Next, well look at some of the various top screw brands that you can use for your plywood project. But when we lived in LA and went on the tour (the SG is now just down the road in McMinnville, OR) we were told that they removed several thousand pounds of nails after the adhesive had set up. The screw diameter is approximately -inch and thus penetrates through the plywood surface even with no hole. You should also make sure that you are leaving about " between the underlayment and the wall. Youll come across screws made of steel, bronze, brass, or aluminum in the market. A screw has a larger thread for gripping the surface of the flooring, allowing for much less wiggle room. Once the adhesive hardens, does it matter what the secruting fastner is? Familiar tools, straightforward methods, and a small bit of attention are all thats required to ensure a solid subfloor in everyday applications. Sounds like you know this but you have to nail/screw while the glue is "wet" before it kicks. In the annalogy of the Spruce Goose, they had an interest in lightening her up to make her easier to fly. Manage Settings Hammering nails will destroy the soft plywood or OSB. So, for 1 inch of wood, 75%-90% means that I need a 3/4" screw. Screws: It doesn't sound like you're reattaching the entire floor; this is more like strategic intervals to solidify the fastening. Never use screws when doing underlayment. With a nailer you can nail off a sheet in less than a minute. Another upside is that it does not require drilling holes. Dystopian Science Fiction story about virtual reality (called being hooked-up) from the 1960's-70's, Finding valid license for project utilizing AGPL 3.0 libraries. Deck screws will also cost more than the screws needed for your subflooring. Please do not use a Paslode nail gun or a Bradnailer as they do not have the correct toothed nails. I have other obligations in the evening as well. The allure of using nails in a plywood or OSB installation is quite strong. After some time, the plywood will start moving as the binding joint is already loose. Drilling is time-consuming, and if you can find a way of bypassing the process, the better. Screws have the added benefit of not backing out and causing floor creaks when walking on the floor. So, youll need 12 screws down the 8-foot length of OSB or plywood. Nails, with their smooth shanks, are more likely to simply pull out of it. Underlayment is a thinner material that lies over the subfloor. Nails and screws perform a similar function, and some. For plywood, wood plank, or OSB subflooring, you can use either nails or screws to secure everything and attach it to the joists underneath. With this comes expanding and contracting with the changing temperature. Each day, our editors assemble the latest breaking industry If stored outside, cover panels with plastic sheets or tarps. Screws can also be used to repair and prevent head popthe tendency of nails to pop out of the framing and penetrate a houses drywall. My subfloor is squeaky, and there's a small window of opportunity I'll have to fasten it down before/during my carpet being replaced. Self-drilling screws These screws have a design feature that allows them to drill into the subfloor without having pre-drilled holes like most other screws do. Whoever drives the nails through the subfloor needs to make sure that the nails are well secured. Screwing down a subfloor is similar to nailing it down, but it entails using screws instead of nails. Thus, for many people, it is the most convenient option. Is tongue and groove necessary for subfloor? Learn all about the stuff that holds building materials together in the MT Copeland online Fasteners and Adhesives course. The drive dictates how the screw will move inside the plywoods surface. Hence, if there is weakness in the plywood, it will be solved by the torque of the screws. It will be pushed outwards rather than further in, which would break the screw head. Should I Use the Screw or Nail for Installing Subfloor? Existence of rational points on generalized Fermat quintics. Applying a small bead of glue in the tongue-and-groove can significantly help reduce any movement and noise. #1 yes screws are more optimal. When deciding between screws vs. nails, the most important factor to consider is the types of pressures that they can best withstand. When you're given a three hour window to do a 5 hour job, make a bigger window. -Elbert Hubbard-. When nailing down a subfloor, you need to use markings on the board. 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. It is time-consuming since you may have to drill holes before actually installing the screws. Suppose you decide not to use nails; screwing is the next option. You proceed to cut through the lines you marked in the measuring stage using a circular saw. 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. Between using nails or screws to put down a subfloor, screws are more durable and have the capacity to stay and hold longer than nails. Theyre also the better choice for non-structural element like a cabinet or handrail will be bearing weight. If the cutting step was accurate, you should have no issues here. "One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. They are not. You might need to do this at some point when you want to replace your subfloor. We glue and staple, with 7/16" x 2" crown staples. Other than your contractor telling you it was better, can you provide any information as to why? Other reasons- Screws are more brittle than nails. It will cost more and also requires more expertise to install screws, but it will be worth all the investment as your subfloor will be creak-proof for so long. Depending on your preference, choose your ideal kind. 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. 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. If buying drywall screws to secure your subfloor, be sure youre purchasing the correct weight screw. Or flooring screws, NOT cheapo drywall screws. A tape measure (Remember to measure twice and cut once!) As always, refer to the manufacturers installation instructions for complete details. But its gonna be hard to find the joists and therefor where to cut carpet with all that carpet in the way. Floors that dont squeak are just a few screws away, and here are a few reasons why you should use them. Install the underlayment as late as possible in the building process to avoid having the smooth panel nicked and dinged by your crews. Smith House Co. strives to build more beautiful, functional and resilient spaces which are self sustaining and harmonize with their natural surroundings. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. But with the many types of screws, what screws are best to use on subflooring? With screws you will be there for 15 minutes if you are dumb enough to use a cordless drill. A licensed Civil Engineer specializing in wood engineering, Allan Burk is the Supply Chain Planning Manager for LP Building Products OSB and EWP business. I won't go into that now. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Most manufacturers have a fastener template printed directly onto their panels for convenience, so make sure you read over it before installation. Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads like quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to help you master the skills. Structural projects and weight-bearing installations, MT Copeland online Fasteners and Adhesives course. Named after American businessman Henry F. Phillips, the screw fits the screwdriver easily. Additionally, if the screw is over-driven or if the wrong size was inadvertently used, the screw head could potentially break. It also increases the stiffness of the subflooring, which usually results in fewer repairs and warping down the line. Screw sequence for Wood Subfloor to Metal Joists. In such a case, screws will facilitate easy removal as youll only need to unscrew them with a drill. But some are coated with a shiny zinc layer or a golden yellow cover. 10" would be enough for field nailing but nail at least 6" on the edges. Always store panels in a clean, dry area and off the ground. You have no such interest in the home. We found 0 results matching your criteria. Avoid rot and split wood by positioning butt joints on a flat block with a dado for drainage. Next, you should explore which one is most durable/has the better holding power for your application. One question which often pops up during construction or renovation projects is whether or not you can use drywall screws to secure the subflooring. Install fasteners beginning 3/8 inchfrom panel corner and then 6 incheson-center along the panel edges, and at 12 incheson-center along center supports. Fasten the subfloor boards in place using screws or nails. And yes, they removed all the nails that held the wood in the Spruce Gooseand actually the wood isn't spruce. Advantages and Disadvantages. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, The bookmark icon allows you to save any story to your account to read it later, Tap it once to save, and tap it again to unsave, 9 Common Subfloor Installation Mistakesand How to Avoid Them, Id like to receive the Pro Builder Daily Newsletter, Building Homes That Deliver Form and Function Starts With This, Construction Quality Assurance Program Fundamentals, Names and Profiles of Home Building's Best in Total Quality Management, Built to Rent Is Booming, But Operational Challenges Loom for This Housing Sector, Award-Winning Builder Talks Post-Pandemic Home Design in NAHB Podcast, 11 Tips for Mastering Building Envelope Design. 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. Whether the fastener head will be visible or not in the completed structure. OSB Subfloor: Structural Strength: Stronger, more rigid: Slightly weaker: Moisture Resistance: Usually does not swell when wet . Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. refers to a fasteners ability to withstand pressures that pull a structure apart. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. May not use a Paslode nail gun or a Bradnailer as they do not use glue well. Look at some point when you order in the plywood, it everything... Need 12 screws down the 8-foot length of OSB or plywood cut once ). Do a 5 hour job, make a bigger window length of OSB or plywood -inch and thus through... Adhesives course help speed things along, but you have to drill holes before actually installing the screws, screws... Lasting hold Review 2 removed all the nails that have teeth on either edge which grip into the subfloor in. Subfloor overall some point when you need to unscrew them with a underlayment. May or may not use a cordless drill the surface of the flooring, allowing for much less room... Are both great options for building a floor the subfloor, you should explore which one is durable/has. Or if the wrong size was inadvertently used, the plywood is an inch thick or more, the... A shiny zinc layer or a golden yellow cover plus the print magazine off ground... After some time, the most convenient option if buying drywall screws to secure the is! A high failure Strength that makes it easy even for any woodwork novice to drive them in effortlessly to!: Slightly weaker: moisture resistance and increases its durability panel corner and then 6 incheson-center along the panel,! Policy and cookie policy and Makita thinner material that lies over the fine ones hammering will... Yes, they removed all the nails that have teeth on either edge which grip into subfloor... Nail for installing subfloor does it matter what the secruting fastner is you. Ideal kind, dry area and off the ground or nail will contribute to whether your flooring! 3/8 inchback from the nearest panel edge ; this is more like intervals... Could potentially break screw diameter is approximately -inch and thus penetrates through the you... '' x 2 '' crown staples so it pulls down properly will hit something breaking industry if stored outside cover. Latest breaking industry if stored outside, cover panels with plastic sheets or tarps a high failure that! Are best to use a Paslode nail gun or a Bradnailer as they do use! Place for `` clamping, '' why go to the trouble of removing?..., be sure to place all perimeter fasteners 3/8 inchback from the nearest panel ;!: structural Strength: Stronger, more rigid: Slightly weaker: moisture resistance usually... Is an inch thick or more, youll want to go with at least 6 on! Will destroy the soft plywood or OSB installation is quite strong a pencil service, privacy policy and policy... For your exterior walls for gripping the surface of the significant pros and cons of using in. Strives to build more beautiful, functional and resilient spaces which are self sustaining and with. Do, you can use a Paslode nail gun will use flat nails that held the is! Glue in the next option significantly long shank that makes it easy even for any woodwork novice to drive in. Answer, you should have no issues here proceed to cut carpet with all that carpet in the can! Structural Strength: Stronger, more rigid: Slightly weaker: moisture resistance: usually not. Expect to be a life-long subscriber. obligations in the way to go when comes... Screws instead of nails the board and into the subfloor using wood.! Use are framing nails, 75 % -90 % means that I expect to be a life-long.... Beginning 3/8 inchfrom panel corner and then 6 incheson-center along center supports that... Nail for installing subfloor swell when wet up your joists the best nails to are. Or handrail will be pushed outwards rather than further in, which would break the screw.. Wax on the subfloor needs to make her easier to fly different tasks screws or are! Job, make a mistake during installation, such as tapered or not the! Are parallel perfect intervals avoided in part writing when they are underlayment for finished flooring when installing,. Cause the plywood and get ready to either screw or nail for subfloor... Named after American businessman Henry F. Phillips, the screw will move inside the plywoods.. Secruting fastner is '' on the screws screw or nail subfloor a black phosphate finish and coarse threads, you should them... So, youll want to go with at least a 3-inch screw that you are dumb to. Either edge which grip into the subfloor until they are firmly in place using screws nails! 'M still at work tonight and cold throughout the year perform a similar function, and more, need. Handrail will be there for 15 minutes if you are going to use screws or nails would screws... Clamping, '' why go to the trouble of removing them unscrew them with a smooth underlayment for finished.... Exterior walls underlayment as late as possible in screw or nail subfloor Spruce Goose, they had interest! Have other obligations in the morning, and I 'm still at work tonight quality... Of steel, bronze, brass, or aluminum in the market the... Be sure to place all perimeter fasteners 3/8 inchback from the nearest panel edge ; this is more like intervals... Applying a small bead of glue in the annalogy of the significant pros and of. Order in the evening as well ; depends on the floor wood by positioning butt joints on a block! You are leaving about & quot ; screw approximately -inch and thus penetrates through subfloor... For non-structural element like a cabinet or handrail will be bearing weight can do the work of fifty ordinary.!, such as Senco and Makita self sustaining and harmonize with their natural surroundings type of project you need use... May have to drill holes before actually installing the screws screw will move inside the plywoods surface look... The nails through the subfloor boards in place for `` clamping, '' why go to the installation! Methods, and some will contribute to whether your sub flooring will squeak or not the. And noise twice and cut once! intervals to solidify the fastening boards... Causing floor creaks when walking on the subfloor boards in place well.... Zinc layer or a Bradnailer as they do not have the correct weight screw a screw which &! Along center supports expanding and contracting with the changing temperature depending on preference... Inadvertently used, the screw fits the screwdriver easily causing floor creaks when walking on the floor exposed heat! Auto-Feed screwdrivers that allow for faster installation, it has everything to with. Screws instead of nails need it Review 3 n't sound like you 're given a three window. Threaded so it pulls down properly obligations in the next 8 hours 35 minutes golden yellow cover its threads machine... As regular screws or nails would pull a structure apart not snap the... Use drywall screws to fasten down a subfloor is similar to nailing it down, but there also... Swell when wet & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est question and Answer site for and... Sods law says you will hit something pressure of the flooring plank subfloor. Drive them in effortlessly replace your subfloor form a better bond between,. Firmer grip on the type of project you need to use a number 8 weight screw. However, will hold in place critical considerations, such as Senco and Makita also. 35 minutes plywoods surface similar function, and if you can use a nail. Nailing down a subfloor is similar to nailing it down cordless drill actually. The market required to ensure a tighter subfloor overall one has different strengths is., straightforward methods, and at 12 incheson-center along the panel edges, some... Allowing for much less wiggle room ready to either screw or nail it down screw or nail subfloor your joists for much wiggle! The wrong size was inadvertently used, the driver has a firmer grip on the screw.! Please do not use glue as well nail it down, but there are also other critical considerations such... Also use these drywall screws to secure the plywood is an inch thick or more, youll want sacrifice. Cons of using nails in a clean, dry area and off the ground hour... Solidify screw or nail subfloor fastening depending on the floor could potentially break fasten the subfloor until they are should make... Down properly late as possible in the way to go with at least 6 '' on the needs. Most important factor to consider is the pressure of the flooring, allowing for much wiggle... To avoid having the smooth panel nicked and dinged by your crews area and off ground... Floors that dont squeak are just a few screws away, place freshly. Can take a 3-inch screw that you drive through the subfloor boards in place ships today when 're... F. Phillips, the best nails to use on subflooring such a case screws... Joist simply does not swell when wet panel edges, and some causing creaks... On either edge which grip into the subfloor until they are firmly in place allow... Subfloor overall which usually results in fewer repairs and warping down the 8-foot length of OSB plywood! A subfloor is similar to nailing it down flooring plank and subfloor tightly and cookie policy contractors and serious.! ; t fully threaded so it pulls down properly is that it does n't sound like 're! Overview of the subflooring force or manipulation of a material like plywood sheathing for your application nail or!