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Can solid wood flooring be installed directly over OSB?
3/4" Thick Solid Wood Flooring can be installed directly over 3/4" thick OSB subfloor. It is standard practice to install the hardwood floors at a 90 degree angle across the floor joists to stabilize and strengthen the whole floor structure.
Can you put plywood over OSB?
The guy at Home Depot recommended against putting the hardwood on to OSB, because the nails will splinter the OSB, and said that plywood is better. Is this true? Do we need to lay a thin plywood layer OVER the OSB? We'd prefer not to if it's not necessary. Any advice would be appreciated. Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Can OSB flooring Squeak?
You have to install OSB according to the guidelines established by the NWFA to validate the warranty that comes with your flooring. If you do, you should have a squeak-free floor that will last for years. Cover the ground with a 6 mil or thicker black plastic vapor barrier if you are installing the floor over a crawl space.
How thick should OSB flooring be?
It specifies a minimum sheet thickness of 23/32 inches and a minimum moisture content of of 10 percent. You have to install OSB according to the guidelines established by the NWFA to validate the warranty that comes with your flooring. If you do, you should have a squeak-free floor that will last for years.
What flooring can be installed over OSB?
OSB can accommodate glue-down, nail/staple or floating hardwood installations. With glue-down, follow the hardwood flooring manufacturer's guidelines. Some prohibit water-based adhesives given the potential for both the flooring and wood substrate to absorb moisture from the glue.
How do you lay flooring over OSB?
1:156:47How to nail down engineered flooring over an OSB subfloor DIY NC Floor ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAfter that we roll out our moisture barrier be sure to overlap by at least four inches. This is whatMoreAfter that we roll out our moisture barrier be sure to overlap by at least four inches. This is what it looks like when the entire rolling is covered and cut clean to the edges.
Can I use OSB as underlayment?
Most local codes allow OSB to be used for subflooring. It's always best to check with your local permitting office before using OSB for your subfloor. One advantage that OSB has over plywood is its larger formatting.
Is OSB better than plywood?
Wood fiber is used more efficiently in osb. Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists.
Can you install luxury vinyl plank over OSB?
Bear in mind that plywood and OSB substrates tend to get 'roughed up' during construction, and any imperfections in the surface will eventually telegraph through to the surface of the floor. Consider using a surface preparation product to provide a smooth surface on which to install the luxury vinyl.
What is the recommended underlayment for hardwood flooring?
What Underlayment is Best for Wood? When installing hardwood or engineered wood flooring, the best underlay options are cork and foam. However, foam does have more give than cork so, while it is the more popular option, we recommend cork. Cork has less give, making it less likely to flex underneath your planks.
How thick should OSB be for flooring?
Wood Products For decades, 23/32″-thick OSB has been the most commonly used thickness of OSB subflooring. But a simple switch to 7/8″ panels offers several advantages for accommodating a home's energy efficiency and for ensuring the performance of finish materials and the overall feel of the floor.
Can 7/16 OSB be used for flooring?
Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a wood structural panel that can also be used for flooring. It is made from shredded strands of wood pressed together with wax and a special adhesive, then hot pressed into a panel with up to 50 layers of strands. OSB can be used for subfloors, although it is not as common as CDX.
Do I need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on OSB?
Also, keep in mind that some apartment complexes and Homeowner Associations may actually require you to have your flooring installed with a sound barrier. So yes, you do need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.
Can you install laminate flooring over OSB?
Laminate floors can be installed directly over concrete, plywood, OSB, parquet, vinyl and tile. The underlayment must be applied to the original flooring surface first, and then the floating floor can be installed.
Can you glue vinyl flooring to OSB?
Bottom line is, flooring manufactures and even the OSB manufacturers' do not recommend gluing vinyl sheet and tile flooring directly to these subfloor panels. A plywood underlayment should be installed between the structural subfloor of the actual foundation and the flooring material.
What side of OSB should face up on floor?
OSB also has stamping that reads “This Side Down”. This directs the worker on the correct orientation of the board when installing. The side with the stamp is the smoother side. When installed smooth side down, the rough surface will then face up and give the worker traction for safety.
Why use OSB?
Builders choose OSB because it typically costs less than plywood, free of knots and voids, and can be used interchangeably in typical flooring applications where the panels have the correct span rating. It provides a flat, solid base for any floor covering and can aid in the creation of even, stable and long-lasting floor finishes.
Where to test moisture on OSB panels?
Going beyond the NWFA guidelines, it is also worthwhile to test the moisture on both the top and bottom of the OSB panels and the bottoms of joists, especially over crawl spaces.
Is moisture management necessary for hardwood flooring?
But, as with other wood substrates, proper moisture management is essential for a quality installation, especially in regards to hardwood flooring, and even when installing ¼″ underlayment under vinyl flooring.
Does wood flooring affect moisture?
Additionally, because wood species and flooring type (solid strip versus engineered) among other factors can affect a floor’s moisture tolerance, hardwood flooring manufacturers usually provide instructions for their specific products.
Does OSB subflooring have drainage grooves?
Some types of OSB subflooring have drainage grooves that prevent rain from ponding on the surface, mini-mizing contact with moisture and therefore reducing the necessary drying time. As with the hardwood flooring, it is essential to check the OSB’s moisture content using a moisture meter.
Preparing the site
Hardwood flooring should always be one of the last things to complete on site. Hardwood floors can only be installed in areas which are enclosed. In order for the wood to acclimate, the HVAC system needs to be operational or a temporary HVAC system should be installed which simulates the conditions of the actual HVAC system during occupancy.
Crawl space preparation
The basement and crawl spaces should be dry and complete prior to the hardwood flooring installation. Crawl spaces should have a minimum of 18 inches from the ground to the subflooring joists.
OSB Subfloor Preparation
Ensure that the subfloor is flat, clean, dry and that there is no movement in the subflooring system. Hardwood flooring will not stabilize the OSB subfloor, so all movement must be remedied prior to hardwood installation.
What plywood is used under PB?
Typically underneath the PB will be a 1/2" CDX plywood subfloor and you will need to go back and add a plywood underlayment over it, 1/2" minimum, but I usually use a 5/8 BC grade square edge plywood for that. A Crain Toekick saw is used to cut within a 1/4" underneath cabinet toe kicks.
How long does it take for hardwood floors to pull?
In about 2 or 3 years the hardwood flooring will pull loose. Nails will not hold onto the OSB through the hardwood floor and will come loose in a couple of years causing uneveness, which is a very dangerous situation to try to walk over.
Can nail down wood flooring be installed over wet subfloor?
All naildown wood flooring will loosen some over time. The worst problems are with floors that are installed over "wet" subfloors. Be absolutely sure that the OSB is dried in enough to proceed with a wood floor installation. The flooring and the subfloor needs to be to within 4% moisture content of each other. The use of a moisture retarder between the OSB and the flooring is also good advice. Be sure the retarder is lapped at least 4".
Is OSB smart for wood floors?
Its common knowledge in the pro wood floor industry that OSB is not smartest for wood installs and to me is a cut corner that may bite you in time.
Is OSB ok?
OSB can be ok if it has a rating of ps-2-92. Others won't work as when you nail if will shatter the osb and it won't hold tight. This is from the Armstrong or Bruce website. If you don't know I wouldn't try it.
Is it OK to install OSB over OSB?
15 years ago. It is GOING to be OK to install over OSB, because OSB is becoming the subfloor of choice for builders. They are, of course, using OSB with the proper rating for use as a subfloor. What others have said about preparing the surface is good advice.
Can wood floors be installed over OSB?
Thats not true....NWFA does allow for woodfloors to be installed over OSB.
How to install OSB panels?
Install 23/32-inch or thicker OSB panels in the proper orientation, that is, with the side marked "This Side Down" facing down. Tap tongue and groove sheets together with a hammer, but leave a 1/8-inch gap between the edges of the panels. Leave the same gap if the panels don't have tongues and grooves.
What is the thickness of OSB for hardwood flooring?
It specifies a minimum sheet thickness of 23/32 inches and a minimum moisture content ...
Why do you spread construction adhesive on OSB?
Spreading a bead of construction adhesive on the floor joists before you fasten the OSB panels helps minimize squeaks in the finished floor.
What is the best material to use to install a subfloor?
Staple a vapor barrier on the subfloor before you install the flooring. Suitable materials include tar paper, kraft paper, vinyl underlayment and plastic sheeting.
Can you put hardwood on OSB?
The guy at Home Depot recommended against putting the hardwood on to OSB, because the nails will splinter the OSB, and said that plywood is better.
Is 3/4" OSB good for flooring?
Welcome to the forums! 3/4" OSB is OK for flooring, not the best, but OK. Particle board on the other hand is not a recommended subflooring for hardwood (or anything I can think of but carpet). Are you using a flooring nailer or stapler? I wouldn't worry too much about the splintering, as all woods will do that. I would use a stapler, but others swear by their own methods. You say "toe nailer", and I question what that is.
What is OSB subflooring?
OSB Subflooring looks like, and is, a bunch of wood chips glued together. Installation usually consists of gluing and nailing the OSB sheets to the floor joists.
How thick is plywood for engineered floors?
When installing engineered, solid or floating floors that are less than 1/2" thick we highly recommended you add an additional layer of 3/8" or 1/2" thick plywood underlayment. The additional underlayment should be glued and screwed down over 3/4 inch thick OSB subfloor to add stability. As an alternative you could install 2x6 blocking between the floor joists for added stability. Doing this will also allow you to run your new wood flooring in the longest direction of the room if desired.
What type of flooring is used for subfloors?
I explain what they are and what type of flooring would be best used with them: 3/4" thick Solid Wood Flooring, Engineered Wood Flooring, Floating Wood floors or Laminate Flooring. We also go over questions regarding Particle Board and Installing New Hardwood Flooring over Old Wood Flooring.
How thick should hardwood flooring be?
If the existing sub floor is 3/4" thick , solid and flat with no deflection between the joists when walked on and the floor joists are spaced 16 inches or closer, you may be able to run the hardwood flooring parallel with the floor joists to obtain a desired look. Running the floorboards along the longest dimension of the room will make the room appear larger than it is.
How thick is a plank subfloor?
Plank subfloors are usually made up of 3/4" thick x 4-8" wide southern yellow pine boards. Installation usually consists of nailing these boards to the floor joists. Since this type of sub flooring is usually found in older homes and can loosen up over time from the boards expanding and contracting, it is very important to remember to re-secure these planks to the floor joists using 2-1/2" deck screws prior to installing any floor covering, as loose or damaged boards will affect the performance of the finished flooring.
Can laminate flooring be installed over plywood?
Laminate Flooring, which can only be installed using the floating method , can be installed over a plywood subfloor (over the recommended foam pad). If you have a weak subfloor that flexes up and down when walked on I would recommended adding an additional layer of 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick plywood underlayment glued and screwed down over a 5/8" or 3/4" thick subfloor to add stability.
Can I put engineered wood flooring over plywood?
Engineered or Solid Wood Flooring that is less than 1/2" thick can be installed over a plywood subfloor. But if you have a weak subfloor that flexes up and down when walked on I would recommend adding an additional layer of 3/8" or 1/2" thick plywood underlayment, glued and screwed down over the weaker subfloor will add stability. Installing thinner wood flooring over an already weak or thin subfloor may cause the whole floor system to flex up and down when walked on. Most engineered wood floors can also be installed using the floating method.