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I have just built a seasonal house with a cathedral ceiling, and a sleeping loft over 1/3 of it. I am just getting ready to put down the floor of the loft. I plan to use 2×6 v-match t&g for the subfloor, with the v facing down, as it will be exposed as the ceiling below.
I have been considering trying to blind-nail the boards down, and making do with just this one layer as the “finish” floor for the loft. It is just going to be for the kids to sleep in. However, I have used a lot of these 2×6’s and they are #4 grade. I am afraid that it will be almost impossible to get them good and tight without gaps. Then there is the issue of expansion. What do people think? Is it foolish to expect to get away with just the one layer, or should I just nail them down with common nails, with the heads showing, and put in a finish floor eventually. I kind of have to decide before I build the stair case so I can get the top riser right. Any opinions? P.S. the place is VERY rustic.
Thanks in advance!
Replies
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I have just built a seasonal house with a cathedral ceiling, and a sleeping loft over 1/3 of it. I am just getting ready to put down the floor of the loft. I plan to use 2x6 v-match t&g for the subfloor, with the v facing down, as it will be exposed as the ceiling below.
I have been considering trying to blind-nail the boards down, and making do with just this one layer as the "finish" floor for the loft. It is just going to be for the kids to sleep in. However, I have used a lot of these 2x6's and they are #4 grade. I am afraid that it will be almost impossible to get them good and tight without gaps. Then there is the issue of expansion. What do people think? Is it foolish to expect to get away with just the one layer, or should I just nail them down with common nails, with the heads showing, and put in a finish floor eventually. I kind of have to decide before I build the stair case so I can get the top riser right. Any opinions? P.S. the place is VERY rustic.
Thanks in advance!
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I've installed many floor/ceilings with 2x6 T&G in log houses and timber frames. As for grade, you can order a better grade or even another species. I always blind nailed with 16d sinkers and left a 3/4" expansion gap around the perimeter. You can always nail the daylights out of it and cover it later if you want.