Replies

1. 
   Brad_Geer | May 08, 2000 11:42am | #2

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   Michelle;
   I have been using the same method for 13 years Hand nail, 2" on seams and 4" in the field, and I always use luan underlayment rather than osb. I have never had a call back and I have been privilaged to re-remodel two jobs that I did years ago and I am glad that I dont glue down any of the underlayment. Also I have found that 3/8 luan gives the best final appearance if the job will allow the extra build up. GOOD LUCK

2. 
   Guest_ | May 08, 2000 12:22pm | #3

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   If you use ply, be sure it's exterior glue. There are luans floating around that are of the interior type. You wont like that.

   Tighten up the nailing schedule for ceramic.

   Best of luck.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 08, 2000 02:33pm | #4

   *michelle:we always nail only ...4 inch OC in the fields.. and 2 inch on the edges...no glue.. 1 3/8 ring shank for 1/4 inch...we use only marine plywood in 1/4 inch.. unless the material is specifically designed as an underlayment.. it will have some voids that can be punched thru after the finish vinyl is installed...marine ply and underlayment plys do not have any voids....we usually can only get underlaymet plys in 1/2 inch material.. thus the marine ply for the thinner applications...we use a good quality floor leveler and check it out carefully.. some of the vinyl products are thin enough and the adhesives are so agressive that they will photograph every nail set and every depression..the ceramic tile underlayment needs more stiffness than you can get with 1/4 inch...if the spans are long... use 1/2 plus a cement board or a hardibacker... any flexure will break or pop tiles..

3. 
   Randy_Lundgren | May 08, 2000 08:25pm | #5

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   The American Plywood Ass'n has a lot of good technical information that you can order from them at a nominal cost. I would look at their web site and order some of the materials if you do much of this type of work.

   Randy Lundgren

4. 
   Guest_ | May 11, 2000 01:52am | #6

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   A flooring fellow told me that Senco staples ( I assume they have a heat activated glue ) at the described intervals are recommended. I don't think I would want to glue mine as someday the floor will need to be replaced and the glue would make a heck of a job getting the underlayment up. By using staples, you avoid having to use leveler on the dimples.

   Dennis

1. 
   Guest_ | May 11, 2000 04:56am | #7

   *Michelle, I use 1/4" luan yuan1/4" birch plywood for vinyl floor underlayment and I always staple the flooring down, 2" o.c on the seamo.nd 4" o.c in the field. Tho.ize of staples I use are 1/4"x 1" narrow crown. I woulI recommend that you put down some red rosin paper before your underlayment and also don't glue your underlayment. As for a seam filler, I use a product called Vi-Tex, just add water. I don'Vi-exk 1/4" plywood is strong enough for any type of ceramic tile. I've been using this method for about eight years now and haven't had any problems. Good luck to you and your project.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 13, 2000 06:48pm | #8

   *Thanks for all the good information in the replies and the advise. My sheet vinyl floor is now finished and it looks pretty good! I did glue down the underlayment because I had some soft spots in the subfloor and I thought that would help strengthen them. It does seem a lot firmer now.I used underlayment nails but next time I will try the staples which seems like less work.Now it's on to the next project.

5. 
   Guest_ | May 13, 2000 06:49pm | #9

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   I'm putting down underlayment over a 3/4 T&G subfloor using sheet vinyl as the floor covering over the underlayment. Underlayment is 1/4 BC Exterior grade plywood.

   Should I glue the underlayment down over the subfloor or just nail it with underlayment nails? What is the standard nailing spacing and pattern?
   I know to fill in the seams and smooth them; can I use latex modified mortar for this as I have some left from a ceramic tile job?

   Also, is 1/4 BC acceptable for an underlayment for 6 X 6 ceramic tile in a living room, i.e. not damp area?

   Thanks.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 07, 2000 04:00pm | #1

   *Hi Michelle,Yes you should glue down as well as nailing.We staple the underlayment with a spacing of every 4" around the perimeter and every 6" inside rows as an absolute minimum.No, you shold use an approved floor leveler compound to fill in the joints and sandable.Your last question is one of structural integrity as opposed to providing a smooth surface for a vinyl floor covering.The floors ability to handle a ceramic or marble or stone or clay tile is in relation to the amount of give or bounce or flex that you have in the floor in question.Sometimes just by adding another 1/4" underlayment will do the job, but sometimes it requires a layer of concrete.Each job is different.Gabe