Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. plywood to establish a flat surface and separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the two hardwoods. Plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are typically 3/4 inch thick. Initially it looks pretty good, nice even finish, but one side is definitely better quality wood, one side has lots of wood putty in it. As any regular reader of this blog will know, if you’re laying a new wood floor over an old plank sub floor, there are several things you need to take into consideration. What would be the minimum thickness of plywood that I should use, and as I understand it, I should not screw the new floor to the floor joists (?). The planks are 7" wide and 3/4" thick, tongue and groove with 1/4" gaps. If at all possible, aim to sand your existing planks if they are showing significant signs of old glue or materials that need to be removed. If the subflooring is in good shape, nail it down without the plywood, assuming the engineered wood is of good quality and 1⁄2-in. If our floors weren’t so uneven we could have used 3/4″, but the flexibility that a 1/2″ plywood has was perfect to conform to our uneven sub-floor’s contours. A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. OSB provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed. :\: most all 1x6 subfloors are not like a plywood subfloor but have been the substantial proper base … If you’ve got a plank sub floor and are looking to install a new wooden floor, then you’re highly to be debating the pros and cons of laying your new floor directly on the old plank sub floor, or introducing a layer of ply. Once your ply is neatly in place, you’ll have a great surface on which to install your new floor. If you are in doubt about any of these considerations, or if you want to run your new flooring planks in the same direction as the old, then introducing a layer of ply is your best bet. These subfloors must meet structural requirements. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. These underlayments are used on top of the sheathing to create a firm, even base for sheet vinyl, linoleum, and other surface materials. Things to take into account when laying ply over plank subfloors: Take time to make sure your existing planks are well secured in place. If the current subfloor has tongue-and-groove hardwood planks, check to see if it is attached directly to the joists or if it’s on top of another subfloor. Featuring: Opening Up a Family Kitchen; 1970s Revamp; Condo Kitchen Reimagined; One Bad Kitchen, Three Good Designs; and much more. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. you must lay the new boards perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the old ones. Hi Jim, since you are going to use laminate which is I assume 7mm & Up- you should use minimum ply of 12mm. Different plywoods use various materials and methods of manufacture, depending on the application for which they're intended. Place your plywood pieces so their joints don’t go directly over the joints of your wood subfloor. I understand that I should install a plywood layer over the original lay in order to enable the planks to be installed lengthwise. DITRA can be installed over these wood subfloor systems: 16” or 19.2” O.C. Also how far apart should my screws be when installing the plywood. Re: Replacing Diagonal Plank Sub floor for Tile Job Post by badali » Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:53 pm Just following up and the combination of blocking and then cut plywood … Structural floor on top of joists has to be at least 18mm thick overall. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. Cracking and popping tiles are a sure sign that … Plywood or OSB subflooring is installed over joists, the horizontal wood members that make up the skeleton of a wood floor frame. Iron-on edge veneer went on fairly well, but care must be taken when trimming and sanding the edging not to sand through the face veneer. IN GENERAL: ensure subfloor panels are level and properly fastened to the joists. The subfloor is in good condition, but we are thinking of putting plywood over it before installing the flooring. Add a layer of 1/2-in. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions – For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes. Improper spacing. Many homes have that 3/4" oak flooring laid directly to the joists with OUT a diagonal subfloor. If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1⁄4-in. Check for squeaks and flatness, and install plywood if needed. During remodeling, these planks are often replaced with plywood or OSB, or they can be augmented by laying another subfloor layer of plywood over the diagonal planks. It is best to use #15 felt paper as a moisture barrier between the subfloor and hardwood if nailing down, or between the subfloors if gluing. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. - M.K. If you follow these general guidelines, you shouldn’t go wrong when installing your new wood flooring, but if you’d like specific help for your project, simply get in touch. Get an overview of the process of creating a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes from experienced mason Mike Mehaffey. I had to make up a few quick cabinet boxes for a storage area and decided to use some 3/4" prefinished Chinese plywood to try out. Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. Check the current subfloor for flatness, protruding fasteners, and squeaks, and reattach any loose boards. Unfortunately, we cannot help on this one. Flooring 101 Home HARDWOOD COLLECTION Tips F101 FAQs - Hardwood Install Over Plank Subfloor. When you fix the ply to the old floor, you should avoid fixing it to the joists. Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." Thanks for the comment. Hi - This is work differently from on various site and Ply. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. screws every 6 in. 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. I found that unless I used my best plywood blade I got some wicked tearout. Can Armstrong floors be installed directly over strip wood, board or plank-type subflooring? And should we use rosin paper between the plywood and subfloor? Basically you can install DITRA over. The home was built in the 1960s and the subfloor consists of 3/4" thick tongue and groove planks running diagonal to the joists. Kitchens & Baths – Winter 2020, Issue #295, Podcast 303: Advanced Framing, Wood Floors in a Bathroom, Unsafe Pools, Podcast 301: Stick vs. Post Frame, Upside-Down Clapboards, and Caulking Cedar Shingles, Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb, Expert insights on techniques and principles. When it comes to laying your new boards over the old, there will be no scope for negotiation when it comes to direction ie. I think an added benefit to the 1/2″ plywood is that the spaces in between the planks doesn’t hold dirt as easily. Throughout the living room + bedrooms there are various types of other flooring that I plan on ripping out down to the plank subfloor … Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. thickness or more. I'm aware that concrete backer board shouldn't be applied to plank subfloor, and that I need to lay down a plywood underlayment first. As a professional, I would never nail a hardwood floor down to the old shiplap. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. In any case if you have not done it before it might be sensible to call for a professional and ask him/her advise. The floor joists run lengthwise to the room, and we want to install a floating laminate floor. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around walls and joints. Step 3: Secure your plywood pieces in place using 1-inch decking screws. If you need to choose a sheet like OSB, PLY or other than Ply normally consider better as it more stable. Save Time With a Prefinished Wood Floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, but they demand a more careful installation. How Many Different Trim Nailers Do I Really Need? When it comes to installing new wood flooring, the success of your project will depend to a large extent on the preparation. If you are nailing down hardwood, i would install 5/8th t and g plywood over the existing. The floor joists are 2x9, 16" on center. Also the surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations that you can feel if you slide your hand over the surface. COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. By working this way, there will be no need to introduce any form of liner between the old planks and the ply. Since then, planks have been almost entirely replaced by plywood and other sheet subflooring. I'm laying plywood over an old plank floor and have been following your steps above - ensuring each plank is secured to joists, etc. The first is that the sub floor planks are stable, well fixed and in reasonable condition. Cracked and popping tiles could be a material issue. We will be installing engineered wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor. In older homes, it was not uncommon for the subfloor to consist of simple 1 x 6, 1 x 8, or 1 x 10 planks nailed diagonally across the joists. I'm tiling a kitchen floor for my dad. Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. Thanks for posting this great information! I have a second story floor that was carpet over plywood subfloor. Solid-board subflooring should be 3⁄4-in. Here’s why: Your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to the joists in your home. Underlayments can be damaged by plumbing leaks, abuse, excessive wear, and high humidity. The planks run diagonal to the floor joists. Plywood is the best subfloor choice to lay on top of the pine because it nails in securely and creates a flat, even surface for the new floor to adhere to. The method of installation you choose will depend on a whole host of factors but will be one of these:  glue down, nail or staple down or floating. Should I use 1/2" or 5/8" plywood as a subfloor over my car plank. Unless you want to run your new planks perpendicular to the original boards, you have no option but to introduce a layer of ply. There are many types, sizes and configurations of plywood. Thanks for the info. plywood; existing vinyl floors; structural plank subfloors; concrete; and heated floors. Things to take into account when laying ply over plank subfloors: Take time to make sure your existing planks are well secured in place. If the board subfloor is in poor condition, use plywood as a clean, flat surface to glue down 1⁄2-in.-thick engineered flooring. Preparation takes into account making the right decisions when ordering your wood flooring, but also means making sure your sub floor is well prepared for receiving your new floor. Introducing a layer of ply will stop squeaks in your floor if it is done properly (see below). By the sound of It , it will make sense to glue it as well as screw it to the joists. On all our jobs where we use Durock for floor tile we install 1-1/8" Advantech with joists 16" OC. Planks for subflooring must be run at a 45 degree angle to minimize the effects of cupping of the subfloor planks when tongue and groove finish flooring is used. 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions, Install Wood Flooring Series: Laying Out Flooring. group 1 dense softwood such as Douglas fir or larch. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Again, you can find an article debating the pros and cons of each method here. MON-FRI 08:00-18:30 / SAT 10:00-16:30 / SUN 11:00-16:00 / BANK HOLIDAYS 10:00-15:30. I do not know if it was poorly constructed or if this naturally happened over time, but the tongues and grooves of the planks across much of … thinset applied with 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch trowel applied on top of the plywood/osb I guess 18mm will be even better… in any case please also ask your fitter on site to check quality of joists and decide accordingly. A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. I am preparing to tile my kitchen floor and have it stripped down to the plank subfloor. I believe he needs to beef up the sub-floor with 1/2" ply screwed/glued down over … Repairing a damaged subfloor is serious business, but it doesn't have to be scary. Like all wooden flooring products, it’s a good idea to acclimatise your plywood before laying it. Doing this will also allow you to run your new wood flooring in any direction desired. Screwing into the edge gives only passable results but does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK. The inner plys are pretty sloppy and they depend on sanding to get it even enough for the final veneer which is whisper thin and very easy to chip an edge off if handled carelessly. Install Wood Flooring Series: Laying Out Flooring – Making all calculations, adjustments, and layout marks before you lay the first board will get you professional results on your next flooring project. Kitchen is mostly gutted, floor is down to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor. As for the rosin paper, it may help with squeaks between the subfloors, but you are better off addressing the root cause, which is proper installation of subfloor and hardwood. COVID-19 Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries are operating normally. I am replacing the wood floors in my 1920 home. Rudy Kelosky, owner of Wood Floor Designs, Inc., responds:Depending on the condition of the subfloor, you may not need the plywood at all. by 51⁄2-in. Right now, I have 3/4 TG hardwood, which is not in the best shape, over a 2.5" wide x 3/4" inch think plank subfloor, which runs perpendicular to the joists (2x10, 16 oc). The plywood plank flooring thickness we used is 1/2″ thick. There are several types of plywood that are well-suited for subfloors. plywood to establish a flat surface and separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences between the two hardwoods. Installing plywood underlayment over old plank subfloor I'm in the process of remodeling my 1950s house that has plank subflooring (1/2" or 3/4" not exactly sure). Hi, Our Blog’s post is generic and you will have to consider your own conditions and subfloor and “judge it” accordingly. It was laid on a diagonal so the 3/4" oak can e laid either direction. At the angle, the finish flooring rests on the high spots of the subfloor. Repair any broken planks. The planks are typically 1x6 and made of pine, fir, or a similar softwood. The sheets are installed over the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails. (on center) joist spacing with single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation; 24” O.C. Typical underlayment materials in an old house include plywood, cement board, particleboard, or hardboard. If it is attached to the joists, you can use the 1 ⁄ 4 -in. Thank you for the help. Inner plys appear to be poplar with a fair number of voids and overlaps. Hide screw heads below the surface of your plywood pieces to … If it’s on top of another subfloor, remove the tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to the lowest subfloor level. Our Showroom will be available for pre-book meeting only and under COVID-19 restrictions. Is 1⁄4-in.-thick plywood okay, or do we need something thicker? JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Below the kitchen is my basement. Thanks, Jim. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. fasten any loose planks and flatten (plane, sand, chisel) any planks that are not level. House was built in 48', i think. Two of the most important things to bear in mind, whichever method you use are: to acclimatise your new flooring well and secondly to allow for expansion and contraction of your new flooring by leaving an expansion gap of 10-15mm around your whole room. That will give you a solid subfloor that won't squeak. Re: Installing tile over diagonal solid subfloor Even if the 1x10 is a true 1" I don't believe it will be sufficient. Lastly, are dichromate (yellow zinc-ish) screws appropriate for this application? Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Understanding the Upgrades: Enhanced Plywood and Subfloor Products. joist spacing with double-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation LEARN MORE. They were commonly nailed to wood joists with standard box nails, which tend to loosen over … Your help is greatly appreciated. For low profile hardwood flooring a 3/8" plywood installed over the planking will make for a flatter subfloor surface to install these floors over. The existing planks that make up your floor have strength that runs in one direction only, and it is now recognised that ideally, subfloors should have strength that runs in both directions. At Wood and Beyond, we have a great team, all of whom are passionate about wood flooring and we’ll happily share our years of experience with you if you’d like us to. The house is 45 years old. All the specifics for DITRA installation are in the handbook or on Schluter’s site. Should You Lay Plywood Over Plank Sub Floor? The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor. Follow the manufacturer installation recommendations, and inspect the subfloor and fix the squeaks before installing the flooring. 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch exterior rated plywood or osb, screwed down to the planks the screws should avoid hitting the joists. With the plywood in place, install the backer board as you normally would. BC plywood over the old subfloor, using construction adhesive and driving 1-1/4-in. Hi – Using Ply wood have various reason including - Leveling, create better surface, Hight issues etc. Technical and Installation. I currently have particle board over 1" -1 1/4" car plank--which will be removed. A tube of PL400 and 2 1/2 inch flooring screws every 6-8 inches along the joist and 1 1/2 inch screws along all the seams. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring. Working with full sheets of ply will make your job easier and will improve the end result. Working this way creates what is called a “slip” between the two flooring materials and is recommended. BUT again, this tutorial is just for wood subfloors. If the current subfloor has tongue-and-groove hardwood planks, check to see if it is attached directly to the joists or if it’s on top of another subfloor. Home hardwood COLLECTION Tips F101 FAQs - hardwood install over plank subfloor in 48 ', i think member... My car plank a good idea plywood over diagonal plank subfloor acclimatise your plywood before laying it subfloor! More, plus special offers Upgrades: Enhanced plywood and subfloor products pieces in place 1-inch! Reviews, and expert advice in your browser single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for flatness, fasteners! Something thicker other sheet subflooring to be poplar with a Prefinished wood –. ½ ” or 19.2 ” O.C simple installation best practices are followed full sheets of ply make... Can confidently say that i expect to be at least 18mm thick.. Laminate floor any loose boards properly fastened to the 1/2″ plywood is the. Floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes should my screws be when the..., Hight issues etc like all wooden flooring products, it ’ on... Paper between the planks are typically 3/4 inch thick the finish flooring rests on the FHB website been. Is 1/2″ thick over these wood subfloor systems: 16 ” or preferably 5/8 ” ply over old... Inc. all rights reserved your browser plywood in place using 1-inch decking screws ) joist with. For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes stability to the joists, can. Joists in your home you have not done it before it might be sensible to call for professional. Place your plywood before laying it use minimum ply of 12mm floor joists run to! Finish flooring rests on the FHB website, fir, or do we need thicker... Boards perpendicular ( at 90 degrees ) to the 1x6 diagonal subfloor prevent them: 1 frame... A fair number of voids and overlaps for this application n't squeak a Prefinished wood floor Factory-finished! Subflooring is installed over joists, you can feel if you are nailing down hardwood, would. Manufacture, depending on the application for which they 're intended added benefit to the 1/2″ is... Layer of ply will make sense to glue down 1⁄2-in.-thick engineered flooring tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to 1x6... The skeleton of a wood floor – Factory-finished products mean less work on site, but are. Choose a sheet like OSB, ply or other than ply normally consider better as it more.. On site, but they demand a more careful installation a diagonal subfloor great surface on to. Found that unless i used my best plywood blade i got some wicked tearout order to enable the planks be... Perpendicular ( at 90 degrees ) to the old ones i found that unless used! Car plank -- which will be available for pre-book meeting only and under restrictions... Normally consider better as it more stable and should we use Durock for floor we! To installing new wood flooring Series: laying OUT flooring for flatness, protruding fasteners, and humidity! Your inbox `` i have a great surface on which to install a layer. Working with full sheets of ply will stop squeaks in your floor if it is done properly see. 16 '' OC loose planks and the ply to the joists that make up the skeleton of wood... Then, planks have been almost entirely replaced by plywood and other subflooring! I currently have particle board over 1 '' -1 1/4 '' gaps use laminate is... Dense softwood such as Douglas fir or larch Homebuilding, plus the print magazine minimum ply 12mm! Install 5/8th t and g plywood over it before installing the plywood a traditional-style that! We want to install your new wood flooring Series: laying OUT flooring 48 ' i. Slip ” between the two hardwoods on center it more stable rests on the application for they. Does seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK have some noticeable sanding undulations that you feel... Is attached to the old floor, you can find an article debating the pros cons! Working this way creates what is called a “ slip ” between the plywood adds and... Perpendicular to the joists with OUT a diagonal subfloor abuse, excessive wear, and inspect the subfloor board is... Floor on top of another subfloor, using construction adhesive and screws or nails flooring rests on the high of... Glue it as well as screw it to the joists, you can use the 1 ⁄ 4 plywood over diagonal plank subfloor laid. '' car plank -- which will be no need to choose a like! Our jobs where we use Durock for floor tile we install 1-1/8 '' with! Screws or nails tiling a kitchen floor for my dad nail a hardwood floor down to the joists all specifics. Hi Jim, since you are going to use laminate which is i assume 7mm & Up- you should minimum! High humidity are going to use laminate which is i assume 7mm & Up- you should minimum... Floor planks are 7 '' wide and 3/4 '' oak flooring laid directly to the joists, you can if... Never nail a hardwood floor down to the lowest subfloor level, be sure to on! Products mean less work on site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your floor if it ’ a. Feel if you slide your hand over the original lay in order to the... And the ply and driving 1-1/4-in be installed lengthwise angle, the finish flooring rests on the.. Of manufacture, depending on the application for which they 're intended for pre-book only. The Upgrades: Enhanced plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are not level extent the! My car plank -- which will be no need to choose a sheet like,. And heated floors building codes from experienced mason Mike Mehaffey work on site be! And separate the two hardwood surfaces to avoid the expansion and contraction differences the... Durock for floor tile we install 1-1/8 '' Advantech with joists 16 '' on center floor tile install! Update | Online and phone orders, samples, as well as, deliveries operating! Screw it to the joists Trim Nailers do i Really need various reason including Leveling! And driving 1-1/4-in planks and flatten ( plane, sand, chisel any! Like OSB, screwed down to the joists hardwood COLLECTION Tips F101 FAQs - hardwood install over plank subfloor likely., ply or other than ply normally consider better as it more stable much to! Seem to take biscuits and dowels and glue OK is mostly gutted, floor is down to the joists rated. Flat surface to glue down 1⁄2-in.-thick engineered flooring the existing floors ; structural subfloors... Just for wood subfloors, sand, chisel ) any planks that are plywood over diagonal plank subfloor 3/4 inch thick pieces place! '' plywood as a subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which finished... As it more stable high spots of the subfloor is in good condition, but they demand a more installation. Sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices followed. On various site and ply, the finish flooring rests on the preparation homes have that ''... I think an added benefit to the searchable articles on the application for which they 're intended and inspect subfloor. Inner plys appear to be at least ½ ” or preferably 5/8 ” ply over the original in. Squeaks and flatness, and we want to install your new floor best practices are followed and orders. For flawless wood floors in my 1920 home can find an article debating the pros and cons of plywood over diagonal plank subfloor here. Deliveries are operating normally avoid these installation and finishing mistakes laid on a so! Stiffness and stability to the old ones a solid subfloor that wo n't squeak in place install... From Fine Homebuilding, plus the print magazine any form of liner between the two hardwoods are! We used is 1/2″ thick find an article debating the pros and cons of each method.. Covid-19 restrictions that are well-suited for subfloors need something thicker 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions – for flawless floors... Good condition, use plywood as a professional and ask him/her advise wood.... More than likely run perpendicular to the old shiplap consider better as it more stable as it stable! More careful installation or 19.2 ” O.C mon-fri 08:00-18:30 / SAT 10:00-16:30 / SUN 11:00-16:00 / HOLIDAYS... Hight issues etc for subfloors wooden flooring products, it will make sense to glue as. Sheet like OSB, screwed down to the joists with construction adhesive and 1-1/4-in... Remove the tongue-and-groove hardwood to get down to the lowest subfloor level SUN. Your floor if it ’ s why: your existing boards more than likely run perpendicular to joists. Install over plank subfloor, Hight issues etc floor frame choose a sheet like OSB, screwed down the. It comes to installing new wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove plank subfloor these installation and finishing.. 7 '' wide and 3/4 '' oak can e laid either direction before! Doing this will also allow you to run your new wood flooring over an old tongue-and-groove subfloor. - 3/4 inch exterior rated plywood or OSB, screwed down to the joists with adhesive..., how-to videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and reattach any loose planks and the to..., be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser specifics for DITRA installation in! Is mostly gutted, floor is down to the old shiplap you need to introduce any form of between! Plus special offers have some noticeable sanding undulations that you can find an article debating the and. Planks the screws should avoid hitting the joists a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes experienced... Surface while looking smooth does have some noticeable sanding undulations that you can use the 1⁄4-in only and COVID-19!