I like to screw down subfloor using a stand up cordless auto feed system. While not as fast as nailing off a floor, it is easier on the body and reduces squeaks. For a two person crew, one
Nails are your best bet for subfloor because a pnuematic nailer can move hardware faster and cheaper than screws. Also, nails allow for more seasonal movement than screws.
Screws are preferred and should be 3/4'' - 1'' long with a bugle head course thread type, similar to drywall screws but made for decks or flooring since drywall screws can not take to much torque and will break off at the heads. You also don't want the screw length to go through the subfloor.
Underlayment grade plywood should be put down with crown staples not screws. A ton of crown staples. Generally 2'' apart along the edges and 6'' apart spaced throughout the center of the sheet. Screws can tear through the top layers of the plywood and telegraph through the sheet vinyl.
we use 30 degree paslode nails, 2-3/8 ring shanks for subfloor when we build additions, if we do it for a reno in just one room, we would screw it.
Fastening subfloors from above calls for countersinking screws. We recommend using the SENCO's YTK series of screws: 08F150YTK, 08F175YTK, or 08F200YTK depending on your project's needs. When fastening, ensure that the screws penetrate joists by at least 1inch and drive them just below the surface.
Liquid Nails Subfloor and Deck Construction Adhesive is a VOC-compliant, low temperature and high temperature adhesive for exterior and interior uses.
Every 6 to 8 inches along the edges and every 12 inches in the center of the plywood. I always screw mine every 6 inches along the edges and every 6 inches in the center. And you want to ensure that you are hitting the floor joists below it.
Very often, particularly in a below-grade installation on a concrete basement floor, a vapor barrier is recommended in addition to the underlayment. That vapor barrier would go between the subfloor and the underlayment.
You can fasten your plywood underlayment using one of the following: galvanized, coated chisel-point staples with a 1/4" maximum crown; galvanized, coated ring shank underlayment nails with a 3/16" diameter head; or flathead wood screws treated with a moisture-resistant coating (such as galvanized or zinc).
I like to screw down subfloor using a stand up cordless auto feed system. While not as fast as nailing off a floor, it is easier on the body and reduces squeaks. For a two person crew, one framer glues and sets sheets while the framer fastening can usually help pack material and fasten sheets.
Cement board screws: Fully threaded screws like cement board screws are designed to fasten subfloors for tiling jobs. These screws have a coating for resisting corrosion that can be caused by mortar or moisture. Cement board screws can be used with wood or metal.
PAMFast AutoFeed Screws are the preferred choice for interior and exterior subfloor.
The answer is: It Depends. In many applications where force is placed vertically along the installation, a screw is a better choice, but in situations where the force is placed adjacent to the installation a nail is a better choice.
Generally speaking, OSB absorbs moisture slower but plywood dries faster. When plywood gets wet, it typically swells consistently across the sheet and then shrinks back to its normal dimension as it dries out. OSB tends to swell along the edges and will retain a portion of that misshapen edge after it dries out.
Mistake #2: Not Leaving Proper Spacing
To avoid this, you must leave a proper expansion gap of 1/8” to 1/16” between the subfloor panels.
You have the top layer that is your floor covering (Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, Carpet, etc.), next you have the underlayment (usually a thin layer of fiber, foam, rubber), below that you have your subfloor (plywood, OSB, concrete), and lastly you have the joists which are the foundation to your floors.
Subfloor. Screw spacing should be 6" o.c. at the boundaries and 12" o.c. in the field, assuming an unblocked diaphragm. For blocked diaphragms increase the numbers of screws by 15%.
Due to their flexibility under temperatures, nails overall contribute to a more squeaky floor. By contrast, screws will firmly hold the sub-flooring in place, which will help to prevent a squeaky floor for many years down the road.
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. Many manufacturers print a fastener template directly on the panel face.
If you are looking for a subfloor adhesive with a powerful, permanent bond, try Loctite PL 400 VOC Subfloor & Deck Adhesive. It sets quickly and is ideal for heavy-duty interior or exterior subfloor installation in all types of environmental conditions. That means it even bonds wet and frozen lumber!
Pneumatic tetraGRIP™ 0 Degree Coil Subfloor Nailer. Our Pneumatic tetraGRIP™ 0 Degree Coil Subfloor Nailer is part of the tetraGRIP subfloor nailing system. This system maximizes efficiency when installing subfloors by driving as fast as a nail but holding like a screw.