Can you screw plywood to subfloor?

Most construction experts use 3-inch steel screws for plywood subfloors. To find out which length of screw you'll need, you first have to know how thick the flooring is. You'll want the screw to go about an inch past the plywood into the joist or underlying layer beneath it.

Should I nail or screw plywood to subfloor?

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.

Can you nail plywood to subfloor?

Although you can secure ¾-inch plywood sheets to the joists in a subfloor with long nails, you don't generally need extra-long nails for the floor to stay in place. Nails approximately 2 inches in length pass through the ¾-inch plywood and still provide plenty of length to secure the plywood to the joists.

What kind of screws are used for plywood subfloor?

Because of their structure, screws can penetrate plywood more easily and improve the connection, whereas nails can weaken the plywood. The main categories of screws designed for subfloors include galvanized screws, steel screws and cement board screws.

Do I need to glue plywood to subfloor?

The answer: Glue. Although using a subfloor adhesive (or subfloor glue) is not required by code, it is a standard practice that can help prevent floor squeaks by reducing the chance for movement at the panel-to-joist connection. A quality subfloor adhesive will also increase the overall stiffness of the floor.

How To Install A Subfloor

What is the best screw for subfloor?

According to construction and renovation experts, some of the best screws for subfloor include the Senco 08200Y screws, the Simpson Strong-Tie screws, and the Hillman Group 48248 subfloor screws.

What size screws 3/4 plywood?

Wood Screw: #8 x 1-1/4"

This is one of the most common types of construction I do in the shop -- attaching a sheet of 3/4" plywood to a carcass made of 3/4"-thick lumber. The #8 x 1-1/4 screw is perfect for bringing these two boards together.

How long should subfloor screws be?

If you are using plywood, you want your screw to go at least an inch past the plywood and into the underlying surface under it. So if you are using a ¾-inch thick plywood floor, start with a 1 ¾-inch-long screw. The screws must be long enough to go through the primary material of your subfloor.

What can I use to secure a subfloor?

A glue-nailed construction technique is optimal for ensuring a flat, stable floor. Use a solvent-based glue that meets ASTM D3498 performance standards; in cases where latex subfloor glue is required, careful selection is necessary due to the wide range of performance between brands.

Do you have to use tongue and groove for subfloor?

For subflooring, you use tongue and groove plywood. The tongue and groove are only along the 8 foot edges. On the four foot edges, your seams will fall on joist tops, so no need for tongue and groove. But to start off, we will need to remove the tongue so the plywood is tight with the exterior ICF walls.

What size plywood is best for subfloor?

The spacing of the joists governs the recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but you should use slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood for joists spaced further apart.

Do you need to screw 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.

Should you staple or screw underlayment to subfloor?

Never use adhesive on the sub-floor to attach the plywood underlayment. Instead, fasten the plywood underlayment panels with staples, ring-shank nails or screws.

Do you need to 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.

What is the best screw for plywood?

For construction outdoors, such as an exterior stairway, zinc coated nails or decking screws should be used to attach plywood. These are designed to prevent rusting, which destroys the fastener.

What are code approved screws for subfloor?

Steel Screws

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.

Is plywood a subfloor?

Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Can you screw down underlayment?

You can also fasten underlayment with galvanized or coated screws or nails. Do not use standard, uncoated fasteners because they are prone to rust, which can discolor some types of flooring.

Can you screw down 1/4 underlayment?

You can fasten SurePly^® plywood underlayment by selecting one of the following options: Galvanized coated chisel-point staples with a 1/4" maximum crown or flathead wood screws treated with a moisture-resistant coating (such as galvanized or zinc). Do not use drywall screws.

Is Liquid Nails good for subfloor?

Liquid Nails LN-602 Subfloor and Deck Construction Adhesive is the perfect adhesive for subfloors, flooring and decking. It can be used inside or outside and all the extreme weather. LN-602 is perfect for bonding building materials such as wafer board, plywood, lumber, etc. and also helps with the squeaking boards.