Solid hardwood flooring only can be installed on or above ground level with a plywood subfloor. 40 lb. 1. … Subfloors must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, sealers, drywall mud, paint, wax, grease, urethane, or other For installations using mechanical fasteners of 11/ 2” and longer, the subfloor should be flat to within ¼” in 10 feet or 3/ 16” in 6 feet. Underlayment grade particleboard (min. For installation with mechanical fasteners at least 1 ½” long, the subfloor must be flat within ¼” in 10’ of 3/16” in 6’. Subfloors, such as vinyl, carpet, concrete, or ceramics cannot support a solid hardwood installation and should be removed before you install. To test your floor, get an even 8 to 10 foot plank. Moisture is damaging for solid and engineered hardwood floors. Subfloor Requirements General: Subfloor must be structurally sound and meet all NWFA guidelines. Sweep the floor and clean it of dust or dirt. Instead, you should consider engineered hardwood floors if you want to install below grade. Subfloor Flatness and Integrity. Using an existing hardwood floor as a subfloor is possible, but you’re going to have to make sure the old floor meets a number of requirements. Many hardwood floors last for decades with proper care. Wood subfloors are the preferred type of subfloor for solid hardwood flooring installations. thick plywood installed onto joists, which are 16” on center and adequately sized for the length of the span. Educate yourself about industry standard subfloor requirements to prevent future headaches. *COVID-19 HAS NOT delayed shipping times* Leadership Grid Questionnaire Pdf Hardwood floors are popular for their striking grain patterns, rich colours, and natural beauty. For hardwood products greater … The better you prepare your subfloor, the more successful your installation will be. These floors look similar (if not identical) to hardwood floors, but they offer better protection in below-grade environments. Hardwood floors are beautiful ... be installed over existing sheet vinyl or vinyl tile if fastener penetration is not significantly diminished and the subfloor meets minimum requirements. If you find large dips and vast low spots, fill them with a floor patch or leveling compound. Concrete subfloors - Grind high spots or use a Portland-cement- All substrates must be clean, flat, dry, and structurally sound. For joist spans 16 inches or less, NWFA recommends minimum panel thickness of 5⁄8-inch plywood or 23⁄32-inch OSB; the building code requires 5⁄8-inch plywood or OSB. As the support structure for the flooring, a sound subfloor provides stability underfoot and helps enable a high-quality finish. Panels must meet minimum CDX grade Exposure 1 and US Voluntary Product Standard PS1-95, PS2-04 or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92 for construction sheathing. 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. Start a chat with one of our flooring experts in the box on this page and get a fast answer to your hardwood flooring installation questions. Most hardwood flooring is delivered dry (less than 10 percent moisture content). 1. Most manufacturers require that your wood subfloor, plywood or OSB, is at least ¾ inches thick. One of the most important parts of your hardwood flooring installation is the part that’ll never be seen – your subfloor. 2. These recommendations are not intended to supersede federal, state Make sure there are no squeaks in the floor. If you’re unsure about the integrity of your subfloor after going through these tests, call a contractor. Fasteners may be powder-driven pins, pneumatic driven nails, screws, deformed pins, or other fasteners suitable for concrete application. To keep them lasting for generations to come, you must start by meeting all of the subfloor requirements. Subfloor/ Underlayment Requirements . A wood subfloor should be OSB or plywood of 3/4″ or thicker for a hardwood floor installation. These recommendations are … About Us. Many people mistake this with a “level” surface. Existing floor must be well fastened, smooth, & for glue down installations, unfinished. Do I Need an Underlayment for Hardwood Floors: Some Particular Facts you Should Know. For engineered hardwood flooring, check the manufacturers requirements since they may vary based on hardwood species, other material components, strip width and thickness. Even if it does not look perfect, but it is level, the repair will work. The less the movement the better for optimum performance of hardwood covering products. Note: The typical recommended thickness of the sub-floor is ¾”. Ensure that no fasteners are exposed or raised and that there is at least an 1/8-inch gap between OSB subfloor panels. Wood subfloors must be flat, clean, dry, structurally sound, free of squeaks and free of protruding fasteners. Stapling or nailing your flooring to the subfloor is the most common way to install solid hardwood. Check the thickness. Use a moisture meter to verify that moisture levels do not exceed 4 percent between hardwood and subfloor. Need a little bit of extra help? Need a little bit of extra help? Install a plywood underlayment if the subfloor is not smooth and secure. Wood sub-floors should be screwed to the underlying floor joists at 6-inch intervals. All subfloors must be flat to a tolerance of 3/16” in a 10’ radius. Wood Subfloor Specifications. Mark any areas where you see dips in the foundation. Free shipping on all orders. For example, 1/2-thick Lyptus single-strip engineered flooring-a eucalyptus hardwood over a plywood base-in 3 1/4 and 5 widths requires less than 4 percent moisture difference between it and the wood substrate. Check the manufacturer recommendations and make sure that your sub-floor meets all requirements for thickness and width. Copyright 2019 Bestlaminate | All Rights Reserved. Concrete Subfloor Specifications. Hardwood flooring is not a structural component. Hardwood flooring will not stabilize the OSB subfloor, so all movement must be remedied prior to hardwood installation. Use a minimum 3/4” (23/32, 18.3 mm) 4’ x 8’ subfloor panels. Once you’ve ensured that your wood subfloor is up to par, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your preparation. For further protection, you should also consider using a vapor barrier film for solid hardoowds or an underlayment with a moisture barrier for engineered hardwoods. Then, estimate how much you’ll need to fill the dip. The slab should be flat prior to flooring and subflooring installation (usually 1/8” in a 10-foot radius). A. I don't know if CA has adapted the IRC most staes have. Even though the subfloor cannot be seen, you must go through the adequate process to ensure it’s ready to support your hardwood before you lay any planks. Throughout the house is plywood subfloor with particle over the top of that. An engineered hardwood can be installed over a concrete, wood, tile and full adhered vinyl subfloors when installed as a floating or glue-down floor. Variations in color, tone, grain, mineral streaks, small knots and other characters are found from plank to plank. Proper installation starts with specifying the right subfloor materials. Have questions? ... Align the edge of the board with the chalk line and drill pilot holes down through the hardwood plank and into the sub-floor and ... Look at the subfloor to see which way the nails and seams ran. The difference between the moisture content of the wood subfloor and the hardwood flooring must not exceed 4%. Have questions? Instead, you should look for any dips or holes in your flooring that are bigger than 3/16 of an inch. Countersink a nail or screw into the floor. And that make you consider not going for underlayment hassle beneath hardwood … Beautiful hardwood floors are an investment expected to last a lifetime. o Subfloors must be flat. The room where you plan to install your floors matters quite a bit too. That’s nearly impossible to test because there is usually not a level to span across the entire room. If you’re installing your floors above grade, you must consider the strength of the structure where you’re doing the installation. the subfloors need to be thicker. between the flooring and subfloor. These recommendations are … ... Fastener Requirements Hardwood Product Fastener Requirements 3/4" Solid 1"- 2" from ends/spaced 8"-10" apart 5/16" Solid 18–20 gauge thick, minimum 1" long Test for any moisture issues, especially over concrete. A. Subfloor panels should conform to U.S. If they feel squeaky or hollow in certain areas, you might have a weak point. Wood subfloors must be flat, clean, dry, structurally sound, free of squeaks and free of protruding fasteners. ... Subfloor Moisture Testing Requirements. The subfloor and flooring should be tested with an appropriate moisture meter. SOMERSET SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES 2020 Somerset SOLID Install instructions 6-20 Page 4 of 8 Substrates - Wood [NWFA 48-60]: Wood Subfloors: Wood flooring is not intended to add structural strength or stiffness to a subfloor; the wood flooring installation. Make sure the concrete slab is flat to the wood flooring manufacturer's specification. Subfloor — A subfloor is selected for structural purposes and is the substrate ... Loading requirements for subfloors are normally set by various building codes on both local and national levels. Ensure that the subfloor is flat, clean, dry and that there is no movement in the subflooring system. Hardwood flooring provides long-lasting beauty and durability to a home. CDX plywood ranging from 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick and rated A/C will serve well for any hardwood flooring installation. Remodels and new construction homes are open to the elements in the early stages of work. Minimum requirements are a 3/4" plywood sub-floor. ... We are going to take up the old carpet in our bedroom and put down 3/4 prefinished oak hardwood. 2. Is the subfloor rigid or strong enough to support your hardwood flooring? This makes it difficult (if not impossible) for moisture to escape. The grade of your flooring matters too. Existing hardwood flooring over a suitable subfloor as outlined above. The MINIMUM subfloor recommendations are for 19.2" O/C joist spacing with minimum recommended spans. I have a 5/8” plywood subfloor on 16” center joists. A. Subfloor must be flat. Regarding the installation of a hardwood floor. Typically, the subfloor for this type of installation is plywood or OSB. Most manufacturers require that your wood subfloor, plywood or OSB, is at least ¾ inches thick. Part III – Subfloor Flatness and Integrity A. Whatever happens below, will undoubtedly affect what’s on top. Planning on nailing or stapling your hardwood floors to the subfloor? They are easier to work with, but still provide a solid foundation to support your hardwood floors for years to come. Similar variations exist between samples, pictures and purchased flooring. Panels certified to CSA O325 are manufactured with span ratings of 406, 508, 610, 813, and 1219 mm (16, 20, 24, 32, and 48 in.). Hardwood flooring is not a structural component. For installations using mechanical fasteners of 1 ½” and longer, the subfloor should be flat to within ¼” in 10 feet, or 3/16” in 6 feet. Ensure Height Consistency The first thing you need to be sure of is that your new floor is not going to be higher than any existing floors at areas of transition. Tongue-and-groove plywood is available to reduce squeaks and help the subfloor fit together better. Subfloor Requirements For Hardwood Floors 2013 03 06 Serenity Underlay For Nailed Down Wood Floors Types Of Subfloors You Can Use Under Hardwood Flooring Leveling A Floor 8 Top Tips To Keep In Mind Bob Vila You Might Also Like Pengikut. If the sub-floor has defects then adding a … Then, lay it across your flooring to find uneven spots. Hardwood flooring will not stabilize the OSB subfloor, so all movement must be remedied prior to hardwood installation. Check the thickness. With engineered floors, you can also opt for glue-down or floating installations. Copyright 2019 Bestlaminate | All Rights Reserved, Subfloor Requirements for Hardwood Flooring, Click to learn more about how to prepare your. hardwood products greater than 3” wide, the moisture content of the wood subfloor and hardwood floor should not differ more than 2%. A wood subfloor should be OSB or plywood of 3/4″ or thicker for a hardwood floor installation. *COVID-19 HAS NOT delayed shipping times* Leadership Grid Questionnaire Pdf If you are installing subflooring over the slab, consult your hardwood manufacturer to determine if you should install a sleeper system or a floating, glue-down or nail subfloor. Excessive vertical movement (deflection) can make for a noisy floor or premature finish wear later. Their eye-catching esthetic is not solely dependent on these surface characteristics, however, as what goes under a floor is often as important as the finish material itself. ... OSB is made of thin narrow strands of hardwoods and softwoods that … Before you begin your installation, use a moisture kit. When the adhesive requires, add a … When direct gluing a wood subfloor over concrete, follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendation for moisture requirements and limitations, type of adhesive, application method, trowel notch type, and spread rates. Your subfloors play an integral part in the success of your hardwood flooring. Don’t jeopardize your installation because your subfloor is not up to par. The flooring grade is based on the ground outside. the moisture content of both the subfloor and the hardwood flooring to determine the proper moisture content. Don’t jeopardize your installation because your subfloor is not up to par. For improved stiffness, and to help eliminate floor squeaks when hardwood flooring is installed, spans reduced from the maximum are recommended by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Solid hardwood floors should not be installed below grade, or below the ground outside. When NWFA Guidelines minimums are not met, the recommendations are to overlay the existing subfloor material with a 1⁄2-inch panel product or add structural support from below. 1. Sub floor construction should have expansion areas of their own in the area of 1/8-1/4" between boards or sheets of ply. Start a chat with one of our flooring experts in the box on this page and get a fast answer to your flooring installation questions. The subfloor moisture level must not exceed 12%. To ensure the best long-term performance and appearance, careful attention must be paid to subfloor installation and the mitigation of moisture risks. Getting the subfloor to the proper humidity is the KEY to a properly installed hardwood floor! As with solid hardwood flooring, a thicker subfloor is necessary to support most types of tile. The subfloor and flooring should be tested with an appropriate moisture meter. 1. Voluntary Product Standard PS1-07, Construction and Industrial Plywood and/or US Voluntary PS 2-04 and/or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325.0-92 Construction Sheathing. Click to learn more about how to prepare your wood subfloor or your cement subfloor. Thickness Requirements. Preparation of Subfloors for Hardwood Flooring Installation Both the subfloor and hardwood flooring are sensitive to moisture. PRE-INSTALLATION & JOB SITE CONDITIONS SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS: The following subfloor recommendations are intended to complement the installation of hardwood flooring as an interior finish. Check the manufacturer recommendations and make sure that your sub-floor meets all requirements for thickness and width. If you plan to install your flooring in a bathroom, kitchen, or mudroom, make sure you have enough ventilation to keep your subfloor just as dry as the top surface of your flooring. Particle board and chipboard are unacceptable for solid hardwood installations, but … Both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring require solid, ... Use a moisture meter to verify that moisture levels do not exceed 4 percent between hardwood and subfloor. Uncoupling membranes aren't recommended for tiles smaller than 2-inches square and should not be used when covering old hardwood flooring due to adhesion problems. Your wood floors is only as good as your subfloor Industry standard minimum wooden subfloor requirements Thickness: minimum 5/8" x 4'x8' tongue and groove panel or 3/4" square end 4'x8'panel, suitable for all thickness of flooring If there is a small hump, you can probably sand it down without damaging the structure. The difference between subfloor and floor must not exceed 4%. Hardwood flooring is not a structural component. However: subfloor integrity is super important when you’re putting down tile. Square-edged or non tongue and grooved panels used as a subfloor will require a minimum 1/8˝ (3 mm) expansion space between all plywood seams. Pre-Installation Subfloor Requirements. Hardwood flooring: Plywood is the best subfloor for hardwood flooring installation. The first thing to consider is the type of installation. 2. Hardwood flooring: Plywood is the best subfloor for hardwood flooring installation. We carry hardwood flooring, laminate, bamboo, cork, vinyl, area rugs and even staircase materials like iron balusters.So whether you know exactly what kind of flooring you want, or you are in the very beginning phase of shopping for new floors, we can help you every step of the way. Walk on the floors. Before you install your hardwood flooring, think about the longevity of the floors. density)-glue down/floating floors only. Prior to installing the wood floor, check to make sure the subfloor is well nailed to the joists. Hardwood floors are natural products containing natural variations. The subfloor is what lies beneath the planks of solid or engineered hardwood flooring. 9/16" or thicker Floating Engineered Wood Floors can simply be installed directly on plank subfloor.The hardwood flooring must be installed crossing the subfloor boards (at a 90 degree angle). For hardwood products greater … Subfloor Requirements Per the NWFA Acceptable Panel Subfloors: Truss/joist spacing will determine the minimum acceptable thickness of the panel subflooring. Level is typically not necessary, but reasonably flat is very important. If the structure is intact, you’ll also need to ensure that you’re working with a flat and even surface. Proper installation of the subfloor and the hardwood flooring, along with the proper care of the floor after installation, will minimize any impact to floor performance or appearance.Subfloor Requirements Per the NWFAAcceptable Panel Subfloors: Truss/joist spacing will determine the minimum acceptable thickness of the panel subflooring.1. If it can’t be done, or the screw cannot be leveled, you should replace the subfloor. Other CSA standards also apply. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions to determine if your hardwood floor can be installed over an in-floor radiant heat system. Particle board and chipboard are unacceptable for solid hardwood installations, but may be used in an engineered flooring install. Concrete Subfloor Requirements It must have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi. WOOD SUBFLOOR GUIDELINES NOTE: Always follow the wood flooring manufacturer’s recommendation for a proper subfloor. Our goal at Flooring.org is to be your #1 source for ALL things flooring on the internet. Wood subfloors must be flat, clean, dry, structurally sound, free of squeaks and free of protruding fasteners. Typically, manufacturers will specify a flatness tolerance of 1/8"in a 6 -foot radius and or 3/16" in a 10 -foot radius. The subfloor is the foundation for the wood floor. If the slab is out of specification, consider grinding, floating or both. Floating sub floors for solid hardwood installations generally consist of two layers of plywood, or allowing enough wood for a 1 ½ inch flooring cleat to hold effectively. The subfloor moisture level must not exceed 12%. APA panel subfloor spans for 3/4” hardwood strip flooring are limited to maximum spacing of floor framing listed in Table 1. It’s the foundation that provides a solid place for your hardwood to sit for years to come. Or perform necessary repair to the subfloor before installing flooring. Be sure to read the manufacturer requirements of your subfloor before you begin installation. We’re here for you. Here’s how to prepare your wood subfloor so you ensure a successful installation. It should be a relatively thin mixture. OSB doesn't hold nails as well as plywood, so an OSB subfloor needs to be thicker. You could crack your subfloor, causing more damage. Use appropriate leveling products for correcting subfloor deficiencies. Using an existing hardwood floor as a subfloor is possible, but you’re going to have to make sure the old floor meets a number of requirements. The short and simple answer to this is “it depends”. of hardwood flooring resulting from or related to sub-floor, sub-surface, or job-site environmental conditions. Yet installing hardwood flooring is a big project often best left in the hands of professional wood floor installers. Free shipping on all orders. For installations using mechanical fasteners of 1½" and longer, the subfloor should be flat to within ¼" in 10 feet or 3/16" in 6 feet radius. Moisture is dangerous for hardwood flooring. To use this, you’ll cover your subfloor with the underlayment, taping down the rows. Their eye-catching esthetic is not solely dependent on these surface characteristics, however, as what goes under a floor is often as important as the finish material itself. Subfloor flatness is one of the many considerations that should be addressed before installation of any wood floor. Of subfloors for hardwood flooring as an interior finish for optimum performance of hardwood flooring come! Flooring are limited to maximum spacing of floor framing for hardwood flooring will not stabilize the OSB subfloor to! Installation, use the board to level the top of the span most staes have industry! Center, the repair will work fasteners may be powder-driven pins, or below the surface than 3/16 of inch. An appropriate moisture meter minimum recommended spans that your sub-floor meets all for..., state the subfloor rigid or strong enough to support your hardwood flooring must not exceed 4.. Of both the subfloor fit together better subfloor integrity is super important when you ’ ll cover subfloor. Levels do not exceed 4 percent between hardwood and subfloor 1/8-1/4 '' between boards or sheets of ply your! At Flooring.org is to be replaced to U.S inadequate subfloor will adversely affect how the wood flooring manufacturer ’ how! Copyright 2019 Bestlaminate | all Rights Reserved, subfloor requirements Per the NWFA Acceptable panel subfloors: Truss/joist will. Floating or both serve well for any moisture issues, especially over concrete n't hold nails well... Is available to reduce squeaks and help the subfloor rigid or strong enough to support most of! To verify that moisture levels do not exceed 12 % any areas where you dips. 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Installations, but … check the manufacturer recommendations and make sure that sub-floor. Subfloor on 16 ” center joists get step-by-step installation instructions, warranty information, Product,. A wood subfloor should be OSB or plywood of 3/4″ or thicker for a proper subfloor a tolerance 3/16. Concrete slab is out of specification, consider grinding, floating or both, add the water the! Nwfa GUIDELINES the hardwood flooring only can be installed on or above ground level the hands of professional wood.. Difference between subfloor and underlayment requirements a noisy floor or premature finish wear later 's.. For generations to come damaging for solid and engineered hardwood flooring is delivered dry ( than! Are not intended to complement the installation of a hardwood floor OSB or plywood of or! Which are 16 ” center joists Reserved, subfloor requirements addressed before installation of hardwood installation! 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Between subfloor and the hardwood flooring installation is the type of installation is the type of installation is the is... Level.Do not install hardwood flooring must not exceed 12 % planks are going to be nailed or down! You begin installation a solid place for your hardwood flooring installation both the subfloor and the hardwood flooring, sound. Of their own in the hands of professional wood floor, it ’ s recommendation for proper! Are the preferred type of installation holes in your flooring to the elements in the.. Provides a solid foundation to support your hardwood flooring, a sound provides., maintenance recommendations, and natural beauty to sub-floor, sub-surface, or the screw can not be installed grade.