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Framing

Guide Home
  • Introduction to Framing
  • Framing Tools, Techniques, and Materials
  • Framing Floors
  • Framing Walls
  • Framing Stairs
  • Framing Roofs
  • Efficient Framing Methods
  • Timber Framing
Mastered in a Minute

Squeak-Free Subfloor Installation

Use the right adhesives, fasteners, and techniques to ensure that finished floors are quiet and solid.

By Matthew Millham

A top-quality flooring job starts with a solid subfloor installation.

Here’s how to do it:

Plan your layout: Stagger rows by alternating the first panel of each row by a full or half sheet, and use tongue-and-groove sheathing for full edge-to-edge support. Before installing, inspect panels, particularly at tongues and grooves which are susceptible to damage.

Install the panels: To start, apply a polyurethane subfloor glue or gun-applied foam adhesive to the joists. Polyurethane foam has a 20-minute open time, but it’s a best practice to only apply enough for one or two panels at a time to avoid skin-over. On joists where panel ends meet, apply double beads and leave a 1/8-in. gap between panel ends when installing.

Install panels with the groove exposed, and use a beater block and framing hammer to protect edges when driving tongues into grooves.

Fasten panels correctly: To fasten, use screws that penetrate joists by at least 1 in. and drive them just below the surface. Overdriven screws will compromise fastening strength. Under-driven screws will interfere with the flooring above. Fasten a maximum of 6 in. on center along panel ends and a maximum of 12 in. on center in the field, with all fasteners kept 3/8 in. from panel edges.

Finally, always work from one end of the panel to the other to prevent buckling when fastening.

More about subfloors and flooring:

  • Building Skills: Install a Subfloor
  • Fix squeaky subfloor with extra blocking?
  • 11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions

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Previous: Fast, Accurate Floor Sheathing Next: Squeak-Free Floors: 3 Tips for Strong Subfloors

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Framing Floors

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Framing

Framing

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Introduction to Framing
  • House Framing Concepts, Tips, and More
Framing Tools, Techniques, and Materials
  • Tools
  • Techniques
  • Framing Lumber
  • Steel
Framing Floors
  • Floor Framing
  • Engineered Floors
  • Floor Sheathing
Framing Walls
  • Wall Framing Basics
  • Layout
  • Wall Assembly
  • Raising and Straightening Walls
  • Framing Rough Openings
  • Blocking
Framing Stairs
  • Stair Layout
  • Building Stairs
Framing Roofs
  • Roof-Framing Basics
  • Roof Design
  • Laying Out and Cutting Rafters
  • Framing Valleys
  • Working with Trusses
  • Dormers
  • Special Situations
Efficient Framing Methods
  • Advanced Framing
  • Double-Stud Walls
Timber Framing
  • Timber-Frame Construction
  • Timber-Frame Design

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