As I have posted before, I am finishing my parents basement going by the article that Andy Engel wrote several years ago.
Today I had my first experience with Tiger Foam (kinda cool) and putting XPS on the foundation walls. Tomorrow I will be putting 1″ XPS on the floor, then covering with two layers of 1/2″ plywood.
The first layer will be screwed down with Tapcons. I’ve never used them before and don’t know exactly how many I need to put in.
I usually put 6-8 nails in each row/joist. My frugal mind has me putting 3 Tapcons along each edge and 3 down the center.
Is that not enough? Them suckers ain’t cheap.
Replies
Since you're not fastening to sleepers, that screwing schedule is not good enough.
You think the fasteners aren't cheap, what's your time worth. You probably should countersink those tapcons and whether or not you use flathead or nutdriver, it'll still be another step.
If that ply was perfectly flat and you had no moisture whatsoever get up from that concrete, you might as well just screw and glue the sheets to themselves plenty and hope they hold each other. Provided the original floor is pretty flat.
Then plunk a couch, a pool table and a couple chairs-it won't go anywhere and might not spring when you walk.
Best of luck, this is no picnic.
By the way, what did andy suggest as the fastening schedule in that article?
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He didn't. If he had I most likely would blindly follow his advice.This is a new type of endeavor, and I'm not concerned about the time involved. Didn't want to put a lot of Tapcons in ( I am going to counter sink) and then have someone who has used them tell me I didn't need to use so many.Always end up kickin' myself in the a$$.Glenn
I don't see where you need a lot. In fact you don't need any if you have good stable material. But screw the 2 layers together.That is one of the recommend installation systems for hardwood floors over concrete.A poly vapor barrier. Then 2 layers of plywood, staggered seams and glued (or screwed don't remember which) together. Then nail the wood floor into the sandwich..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
I plan on screwing the two layers together. Anyone I've ever worked for would use 1-1/4 drywall screws to screw them, but i would like to use something else.As soon as I figure that out......Glenn
There really is no need to use anything else. Drywall screws hold just fine in this application. If worried about moisture, use coated drywall screws such as Grabber Guard brand or go to stainless. But if moisture is no problem...then you are wasting money.
Personally, I like 1-5/8 length for most of my flooring projects...1-1/4 don't always bite as good.
Davo
i'm thinkin' by the time you put in vapour barrier, sleepers and two layers of ply, plus adhesive and fastener costs, that dri cor has to be way cheaper. plus more headroom to boot.