For plywood, wood plank, or OSB subflooring, you can use either nails or screws to secure everything and attach it to the joists underneath. You don’t need to use either screws or nails on concrete subflooring because it is poured as a solid reinforced slab.
Do you screw subfloor into joists?
You’ll want the screw to go about an inch past the plywood into the joist or underlying layer beneath it. So if your subfloor is 3/4 of an inch thick, any screw about 1 3/4 inches long will do the trick. If the plywood subfloor you’re placing is 5/8 of an inch thick, you need a screw about 1 5/8 inches long.
Can you use screws on subfloor?
Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. If using nails for subfloor installation, stick with ring-shank nails; smooth nails may withdraw easier, leading to squeaks.
Can I screw plywood to subfloor?
The proper steel screw sizes for securing 3/4-inch plywood to the floor joists are #8, #10 and #12 screws. The number refers to the thickness of the screw. Each is available in lengths from 1 1/4 to 3 inches. Typically, the 3-inch variety is used to secure plywood subfloors.
How do you secure a subfloor to joists?
A thicker subfloor takes a 3-inch screw. Use a heavy-duty drill to drive Phillips head wood screws through the subfloor into the floor joists. Drive the screws approximately 8 inches apart. To make the job easier for you and the drill, we suggest that you pre-drill holes before screwing the subfloor down.
Is it better to screw or nail subfloor?
Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower.
Should I screw down subfloor?
Screws, if driven properly, prevent creaking floors. A screw firmly holds the subfloor in place, which ensures a squeak-less floor for years to come.
What are the best screws for plywood subfloor?
Steel screws are also the most common, and most recommended, screws used for subfloor installation. Part of the reason for this is because they keep the plywood from breaking and cracking while they are being installed. They are also very strong and durable, they won’t warp, break, or move around for a very long time.
How do you nail down a plywood subfloor?
We prefer 2 inch subfloor nails with reverse threads and coated in glue. Put a nail every 8-10 inches on the surface. Remember not to nail towards the last 10″ of the tongue side until the next sheet is installed. You can snap a chalk line across the joists to make nailing simpler.
What screws to use for floor joists?
Use Construction-grade (structural) screws or better.
How far apart should screws be on subfloor?
When installing subfloors, you will want to space the screws every 6-8 inches apart. This will ensure that the subfloors are stable and secure. It also means that no one screw is under too much pressure. The spacing of the screws may seem like a small and silly detail, but it is a surprisingly important one.
What kind of nails do you use to secure the subfloor?
Generally, nails (6d ring or screw shank, or 8d common) should be spaced 6 inches on center along supported panel edges and 12 inches on center on the panels’ interior supports, or as specified on the construction drawings.
How many screws do I need for a 4×8 subfloor?
When securing OSB or plywood subflooring, you should use a screw every 8 inches along the floor joist or truss. So, you’ll need 12 screws down the 8-foot length of OSB or plywood. If your floor joists or trusses are 16 inches on center, you’ll need 48 screws per 4×8 sheet.
Does plywood need expansion gap?
APA recommends a 1/8-inch space between panel edge and end joints. Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), like all wood products, will expand or shrink slightly with changes in moisture content. If the wood structural panels are tightly butted, there is no room for expansion and buckling can occur.
What is the best screw for plywood?
Best Wood Screws for Plywood- Buying Guide & Review
- Kreg SML-C1-500 – Best Screws For Plywood Cabinets.
- Kreg SML-C125-500 – Screws For Plywood Sheathing.
- Vigrue M4 Black – Screws For Plywood Wall.
- Velocity Screws For Plywood – 200PCS Stick Tight Wood Screw.
- Hard To Find Fastener For Plywood – Philips Flat Twinfast Screws.
How well do screws hold in plywood?
* Nails, brads or screws won’t hold in the edges of thin plywood. However, you can sink screws into the edges of three-quarter-inch plywood if you drill pilot holes and center the screws on the edge. * When nailing into face plies, space nails at four-inch intervals for maximum panel strength.
Should you pre drill plywood?
Our first recommendation is to pre-drill if you are going to be screwing something into the edge of the plywood. The sheets of ply have a habit of separating when screws are inserted or even large nails. However, if you get the ball rolling with a little bit of pre-drilling this issue disappears completely.
How do you screw into plywood?
Hold the 1/2-inch screw with the tip in the drilled hole. Using the Phillips head drill bit and the electric drill, slowly rotate the screw into the hole. Once it is started, increase the speed of the drill until the screw head is flush (even) with the surface of the plywood.
