I have a framing business. Recently a builder asked if I would screw down the floors when the home buyers requested that. I told him that I would look into it get back to him later. Since I have never screwed down a floor I have several questions to those that have. We frame with 2X10’s or I-joists and 3/4″ plywood underlayment. Houses range in size from about 2000 SF to 3000 SF. What screw size is best? Cordless or corded screw gun? Should we glue and nail as always and screw the floors down later or just use the screws? Is glue required when using screws? How much extra do you charge for screwed down floors? What screw spacing works? Is there anything else that I should know about screwing down floors that I didn’t know to ask? Thanks in advance for any and all help with this.
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Bill,
I "always" screw down my subfloors and I use a DeWalt rifle type screwgun with an automatic screw feed that comes in strips. I never have to bend down. It goes super quick. I do use PL Premium glue in the large tubes on all the joist tops. Its fast and easy and not all that expensive really. Never any issues with squeeks either. As far as how much extra to charge..I just charge for the glue and the cost of the screws and tack 20% ontop of that. In the long run its just a better job with not very much more effort.
BE screwed
Namaste
Andy
One works on oneself, always. That's the greatest gift you can give to community because the more you extricate your mind from that which defines separateness, that defines community. The first thing is to become community. "Ram Dass"
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
weeeeeeeell, use 2" screws on the 2000sf homes and 3" on the 3000 sf homes...
LOL
Seriously, ( Andy, how did you manage to be more serious that I on this one? haha) Andy is right about the shotgun autofeedeer if you are doing a lot of floors. They are made for decks and can sell you the deck screws. you could tack enough nails to locate the panel and then screw.
Andy - on the cost for PL premium, it is a little higher price per tube but it goes further - up to 80% in my experience - so it comes out less expensive overall for a better product! We're living in interesting times!
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius
I would say that screwing is the norm here - Don't recall seeing anyone nail down their subfloor for a heck of a long time.
Virtually ALL the guys have a "QuickDrive" system - One of those drivers with a 36" or so barrel so you can stand up and screw from a magazine.
I personally wouldn't want a floor done with nails.
Accidents in the back seat cause kids.
Boss...
Nails.we don't use no stinkin' nails!
And whats all these posts about hammers....we just collect them like Pro-DeckView Imagewe don't actually use em'.
Be screwed
Namaste'
AndyOne works on oneself, always. That's the greatest gift you can give to community because the more you extricate your mind from that which defines separateness, that defines community. The first thing is to become community. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
...." standup and screw from a magazine."
My minds in the gutter. would that be a Playboy magazine?
Guess I walked right into that one, huh ?He said . . . Since I first laid eyes on you, I've wanted to make love to you really badly.She said . . . Well, you succeeded!
I've been told(after years of nailing, followed by screwing)that I joists arent even supposed to be nailed, and as a side note, nailing double I joists is a no no also. I guess it ruins the integrety, anyone Know more about this? Also, I don't know about the price question, but I have a friend that screws floors down for a big plat builder, after the framing is done, and he makes bucks. Sounds weird, but someone"s gotta do it
I've never seen an I-joist suppier's literature which said you should NOT nail.
However all of them (That I've seen anyway) recommend screws and glue. Some even allow longer spans if the floor is glued and screwed.It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
I see the same as everybody else regarding the screwing of the subfloor down, but also when the walls were up I see the framers screw the walls down, they will screw between each stud and then toe-screw the rough opening.
Doug