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I am having a builder construct a 1300 s/f chalet type cabin for me in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona. He is going to be building the shell for me and I will be finishing it off. He has specified a 5/8″ subfloor (OSB i believe) with joists 16″ on center. The flooring I plan on using in the main living area is a 3/8″ solid hardwood T&G product out of a firm in Mason, Michigan. I am wondering whether the 5/8″ subfloor will be enough. Should I have my builder use 3/4″ T & G conventional plywood? I would prefer not to have to put down another layer of some type of plywood after he his done. The 3/8″ T & G flooring is going to be installed using a pneumatic pin nailer and construction adhesive. I am really impressed with the 3/8″ product and it is priced right too $2.65 s/f (wood only). Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Adam ([email protected])
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You are going to hear guys tell you to use 3/4, 2 layers of 3/4, 1 1/8 and all kinds of things. At the risk of being blaspehmous I have to say that I have never had a single problem with 5/8 with any type of flooring including 1/2 hardwood parallel to the joists. But, I have never used osb for a floor either. If it is osb I would pay a little extra for the 3/4 and be sure it is t&g sturdi-floor.
*Adam - "...it is priced right too $2.65s/f.." is this a prefinished product? Pin nails into OSB? what, until the glue dries? - yb
*Mike's right with the varied opinions, so I'll weigh in with my vote for 3/4 T&G ply. Does this particular product require glue and nails?
*Adam I would have to go with the 3/4 T&G. As far as using the pin nailer don't. I had to redo a small floor where we used a pin nailer on 3/8. Everthing went great for a year them it started to move. had to remove and replace the floor and used the staples this time and had no problem at all. If you don't have the stapler then hit the rental store.
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I'd be a little leary of the pin nailer for the installation of a 3/8" product especially with OSB. Stanley Bostich makes a pneumatic flooring stapler designed for engineered products and other thin types of wood flooring that Adam speaks of.
I'd also have to vote for the 3/4" subfloor, but not tongue and groove as it not recommended by the Nat'l Wood flooring Ass. They recommened spacing the plywood sheets 1/8" to 1/4" at the seams...and run the flooring perpendicular the joists for a much stronger floor. Other hardwood flooring information can be found over at hosinghardwood.com..
Good Luck
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Adam, I have seen 5/8 plywood work, but in my experience an OSB subfloor will be haunting you forever with pops and squeaks. I've never heard of pin nailing any kind of flooring down. Maybe you could ask the installation company to see one that's been in for a while, but sounds like more popping and squeaking to me.
Good luck, BB
*Contact the wood flooring manufacturer regarding their recommendations for subfloor. I believe that many wood floor manf. will not warrantee their product when installed over OSB.
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Matt:
You're right! Following the manufacturers recommendations is the key to any successful flooring application.
*3/8" solid flooring over 5/8" OSB subfloor is just plain wifty...it sounds quite dubious!
*I Checked with the manufacturer, they suggest that I go with a 1/4" or 3/8" underlayment of traditional plywood on top the 3/8" OSB. I plan on laying about 450 - 500 s/f of the hardwood flooring. At $12.00 - $15.00 a sheet it should only cost me another $200 - $300....Thanks for all of your input....Adam
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I am having a builder construct a 1300 s/f chalet type cabin for me in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona. He is going to be building the shell for me and I will be finishing it off. He has specified a 5/8" subfloor (OSB i believe) with joists 16" on center. The flooring I plan on using in the main living area is a 3/8" solid hardwood T&G product out of a firm in Mason, Michigan. I am wondering whether the 5/8" subfloor will be enough. Should I have my builder use 3/4" T & G conventional plywood? I would prefer not to have to put down another layer of some type of plywood after he his done. The 3/8" T & G flooring is going to be installed using a pneumatic pin nailer and construction adhesive. I am really impressed with the 3/8" product and it is priced right too $2.65 s/f (wood only). Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Adam ([email protected])