Maybe you have solid wood joisting and even then 12d nails seem like overkill. One question which often pops up during construction or renovation projects is whether or not you can use drywall screws to secure the subflooring. They have been proven to be more durable under pressure than screws. The head is countersunk and features a concave convention to facilitate easy sinking into the plywood. Therefore, consider whether you want to sacrifice quality. So when did people start using glue? You can use either nails or screws. Simpson Strong-Tie WSNTL212R400 Screw for Subfloor - Strength When You Need It Review 3. A well-installed subfloor is one that homeowners dont have to think about after they move in. Screws are the best to attach subflooring and minimize deflection. From tight spacing to improper fasteners, simple errors can lead to callbacks. Jake Sales has been providing screws and nails for construction projects for many years. Smith House Co. strives to build more beautiful, functional and resilient spaces which are self sustaining and harmonize with their natural surroundings. The screw has plating to protect against rusting agents with a PPG E-coating. Youll come across screws made of steel, bronze, brass, or aluminum in the market. The coating is a top-quality stainless steel screw built to withstand moisture without rusting. 3) Fasteners must recess 1/16" below the surface, penetrate 75-90% of the sub-floor assembly, and not protrude through the bottom. Screws are preferred over nails for subfloor and underlayment . Also, they feature a sharp end which makes them ideal for self-drilling. Weve explained that screws are head and shoulders above nails in plywood subfloor projects. Among the factors to consider when choosing between nails and screws are: In general, screws have better holding power and superior strength than nails, and they are more easily removable. A construction adhesive such as Liquid Nails is a popular choice among contractors for gluing the subfloor to the framing. In general, nails of size 6d ring or screw shank, or 8d common, should be spaced at a distance of 6 inches on center along supported panel edges, while nails of size 12d should be spaced at a distance of 12 inches on center on the interior supports of the panels, or as directed by the construction drawings. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. You proceed to cut through the lines you marked in the measuring stage using a circular saw. Nails are cheaper, faster to install, and easier to hide in finish details. Nails will work well, screws will work better. Lay the plywood and get ready to either screw or nail it down. You need to ensure that the screws go through the floor joists as well. You dont need to use either screws or nails on concrete subflooring because it is poured as a solid reinforced slab. Thus, for many people, it is the most convenient option. Additionally, if the screw is over-driven or if the wrong size was inadvertently used, the screw head could potentially break. Fasten panels using 8d ring-shank nails or other code-approved fasteners. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your budget. Drywall or gypsum board will often crumble when a nail is hammered into them. Gluing your subfloor down can help prevent unwanted squeaks and noise when you walk on the floor. Self-drilling screws These screws have a design feature that allows them to drill into the subfloor without having pre-drilled holes like most other screws do. You ensure that you mark the cutting points using a pencil. But you will damaging the gypcrete as much with screws. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT. There are spots that I may turn to screws in order to assist in sucking the subfloor tight to the joistbut I prefer to nail `em off. By that time the glue may have skinned and you will have squeaks. refers to a fasteners ability to withstand pressures that pull a structure apart. Screws have the added benefit of not backing out and causing floor creaks when walking on the floor. Wood screws are the way to go when it comes to attaching and fastening down plywood. I would use 1 1/2" but 1 3/4" will work too. Drilling is time-consuming, and if you can find a way of bypassing the process, the better. Before installing an Easiklip floor, check the subfloor. The size of the screws matters a lot as they will keep the subfloor supported. This is where nails excel. As always, refer to the manufacturers installation instructions for complete details. It thus forms tighter joints than all the other three screw drives. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. Here's the main reason why you should use them while installing a subfloor: To provide a long-lasting and strong hold between your underlayment and subfloor. Here are some of their pros and cons: Here are all the good and the bad characteristics of using screws on your subfloor installation: Nails are an essential tool in construction and homebuilding. Do this every 6 inches to make sure the panels are tightly secured together. 23/32 subfloor: A subfloor of 23/32 inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them. Thus, they are fit for use in places with high humidity. How Many Screws in a 4x8 Sheet of OSB or Plywood, Xylan Coated Stainless Flat Head Phillips Wood Screw, Phillips Bugle Head w/Coarse Thread (BCP439), Cheap Concrete Floor Covering Ideas That Look Amazing, Can Mold Grow Under Vinyl Plank Flooring? Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. STARTING AT. Alternatively, you can develop a rhythm for correctly spacing the nail fasteners. Each day, our editors assemble the latest breaking industry Do EU or UK consumers enjoy consumer rights protections from traders that serve them from abroad? This is where nails excel. Subfloor screws are fasteners used to secure your subfloor sheathing tightly. The first two of these come with a nice yellow zinc finish, while the Hillman Group screws are unassuming yet tough in basic black. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Should the alternative hypothesis always be the research hypothesis? I bet Howard Hughes tested that one thoroughly before theybuilt the Goose. In this article, we'll go over all the important factors to consider when choosing screws or nails for subfloor installation. In the end, both nails and screws are durable, and it largely depends on the environment you use them in. You will have a lot more peace of mind if you nail down your subflooring as opposed to screwing it in place, but there are some downsides to consider as well. It only takes a minute to sign up. Nevertheless, there are some nails from certain brands that provide an effective level of holding power. Many homeowners are confused about what methods to use when installing a subfloor in their homes. Nonetheless, if you are looking for an extra tight joint, the drive will deliver precisely that. Please browse our large stock of ONly time you need to screw it down is usually when the silly worker forgot to crown up your joists. At Lowe's and HD, the smallest exterior screw they had (be it phillips, star, or square drive) was 1-1/4" (too . If you are considering whether you should use the screw or nail for installing subfloor, you'll want to factor in the level of holding power your project requires. Also, deck screws have a coating that helps protect the screw from exterior exposure, which is not needed indoors. Fasten panels to studs with 8d common nails spaced 6 inches along edges and 12 inches in the middle. Avoiding these common errors can help ensure your flooring system is stable, quiet, and reliable for years to come. There are many amatuers with little experiance that are freely dispensing advice on this forum. Use a " spacer between the plywood and the wall and a 1/8" spacer between panels. Never use adhesive on the sub-floor to attach the plywood underlayment. With an air nailer, you can drive in multiple nails at one instance. Screws are preferred over nails for subfloor and underlayment installations as they provide strong and tight connections that help prevent the floor from squeaking. If possible, store panels indoors. Some nails like stainless steel nails are higher quality and are well worth the price in the end to maintain the longevity of your sub flooring. #1 yes screws are more optimal. With a nailer you can nail off a sheet in less than a minute. While the Robertson features four contact points, the Torx has 6. The engineer called out 7/8 OSB for subflooring, and to nail 10 OC. Keep cover open and away from the sides and bottom of the panels to allow for air circulation. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Gavin Pitchford. Thus, driving the screws out when necessary is far easier than for the other drives. Its more than just walking to a hardware store and picking the materials. "Don't lay OSB tight either 1/8" on edges" Here I go again , the house is 64 ft long . Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. With many projects, youll find yourself using both nails and screws. If stored outside, cover panels with plastic sheets or tarps. Subfloor: Screws or Nails? Screws create stronger joints and are also less destructive. It 'should' last the life of the house. At this point, the floor should not shake, sink or produce any squeaking noises. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Due to their structure, they can easily penetrate the plywood without requiring excessive force. Heres a best-practice refresher for subfloor installation. Ships today when you order in the next 8 hours 35 minutes. Since your engineer says nails and no glue, you use nails and no glue. If the floor system is exposed to the elements and bulk water is present, sweep it off or drill drainage holes. Since the driver bits or screwdriver easily comes off, the screw head breaking diminishes. They should be on the same level as the subfloor and never protrude. Choosing screws requires due diligence. Everything needs to fit snugly without you forcing it. There is no need for any gaps between the sheets. Screws are slower and if you did use screws, you would have to ensure that all the heads were countersunk below the surface. Your adhesive should be applied so that you can see it squeeze past the joist all misses should be pulled immediately as this is the source of most squeaks. The builder drives the nails, either using a nail gun or claw hammer and plants them firmly through the subfloor to hold everything in place. If you want to have an easier and faster time with this process, you should drill holes before going in with the screws. For example, ring shank nails are a popular choice for sub-flooring due to lending excellent grip and holding power. Overall, nails tend to have more flexibility, whereas screws tend to overall have more strength and durability. Theyre also easier to remove. Now that the wood is acclimatized, you can install it. If the principal concern is preventing two materials from pulling apart, then screws are the better fastener. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. I also plan on gluing down each sheet. Costed screws offer protection from moisture which induces rusting and loosening. Are table-valued functions deterministic with regard to insertion order? The drive dictates how the screw will move inside the plywoods surface. Improper Spacing Between Panels Like any wood product, OSB will expand and contract after installation; without a small gap between panel ends, the expansion could cause buckling. construction screws and ring shank, bright, sinker framing, finish, and roofing nails, to ensure you have the best materials to get the job done! Find the pine branches you want to use and cut them from the tree. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Due to their flexibility under temperatures, nails overall contribute to a more squeaky floor. Check that the subfloor or joists are not warped or delaminated anywhere. Also, nails are relatively cheaper than screws. Structural screws have completely replaced lag bolts and large nails for structural fastening, given their high failure strength. There are, however, some situations where trim will require more holding strength than a nail can provide, and in those cases youll want to reach for a trim screw (which has a smaller head than a typical screw). Well introduce a dark-colored kind but still with the key features of a top-quality wood screw. They provide a cleaner finish if you do not want the nails showing as opposed to screws. Another advantage of screws with drywall is their holding power. It would leave raised spots where they crush the wood and would all have to be filled and sanded. Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower. Get the latest updates about new courses, special trainings, resources, and more. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. One downside to pneumatic nailers is that they make it easy to put in a whole row of shiners and not know it. Be careful and always wear protective gear at this stage. Most manufacturers recommend 1/8 inchat panel ends and edges. By doing so, you introduce weakness into the joint. And I think screws squeak less than nails. According to construction and renovation experts, some of the best screws for subfloor include the Senco 08200Y screws, the Simpson Strong-Tie screws, and the Hillman Group 48248 subfloor screws. But should you nail or screw down the subfloor? If your floor joists or trusses are 24 inches on center, youll need 36 screws per 48 sheet. The screws or nailsdo a lot more than just hold the decking down. Using nails without an air nailer will also prompt you to hammer them into the plywood. You should also make sure that you are leaving about " between the underlayment and the wall. If the cutting step was accurate, you should have no issues here. Space units at least 4 incheson all four sides. Making tree house bed. There are fewer better connecting components in woodwork than screws. Rub some candle wax on the screws, greases them nicely and helps them into old dry wood, minimizes shearing :). Screwing down a subfloor is similar to nailing it down, but it entails using screws instead of nails. Find your worst squeaks, cut through the carpet and padding, and put the screws in there right now. The Difference Between Brad Nails and Finish Nails, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. After spending a couple of years working with industry leading builders in Austin, Jordan and his wife Veronica struck out on their own to form Smith House Co. Find out which way is best for your home and how to do it in this guide. When the subfloor expands or contracts with temperature changes and house movement, screws cant move as much, which builds stress. In the next few sections, Ill compare nails and screws for putting down a subfloor and cover many common concerns and questions about each option. Glue some two by to some ply with good aliphatic resin glue, and break the sample a couple days later. Lengths: 1-3/4"2"2-1/2" 3". Does it then matter whether I nail or screw the subfloor down? Thus, you dont run the risk of breaking their heads when driving them in. This flexibility also makes them great for securing hardwood floors. Each one has different strengths and is best suited to different tasks. Generally, nails (6d ring or screw shank, or 8d common) should be spaced 6 inches on center along supported panel edges and 12 inches on center on the panels' interior supports, or as specified on the construction drawings. #14 Stitch Tek Metal Panel and Roofing Screws, #12 Stainless Steel ReGrip Metal Roofing Screws, Black Log Screws (Timber) And Structural Ledger Board, BTX - Flat Head Exterior Wood Screws (ACQ), Cement Board Screws - Torx/Star Sharp & Drill Point, Drywall Screws Coarse & Fine Gray/Black & Yellow, Gutter Screws -Ceramic Coated High Performance, Pocket Hole Wood Screws -Torx/Star Coarse & Fine, Tiny Finish/Trim Head Interior/Exterior Coated Wood Screws, Trim Head Wood Screws - High Performance Exterior (ACQ), Wood to Metal - Wafer Head Self Drilling & Reamer Tek (ACQ), Torx/Star Drivers,Screw Bits, Holders & Adapters , See All Screw Bits, Drivers, Holders & Adapters, Chain Link Fence Caps (Eye Tops, Rail Ends, More), Chain Link Fence Bands, Clamps, Connectors, Nuts & Bolts, Chain Link Fence Ties, Tie Wires, Wire Ties, Chain Link Fence Gate Latches & Cane/Drop Rods, Chain Link Fence Rolling Sliding Cantilevered Gate Parts, Chain Link Fence Diagram - ALL Chain Link Parts, Vinyl/PVC Fence Gate Hinges - Black & White, Vinyl/PVC Fence Gate Latches - Black & White, Vinyl/PVC Fence Gate Hardware Kits (Black), Vinyl/PVC Fence Gate Hardware Kits (White), 4 Nail Shank Types to Use for Your Construction Project, Collated Nails - What a Difference a Degree Makes. (Explained), Differences Between Subfloor, Floor Joists, Engineered Wood Beams, & Floor Trusses, Adding a Second Story to Your House (7 Things To Know), What is Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): Beam & Span Guide, Do Garages Need Foundations: Lets Find Out. What is a 'shiner'? Such screws are ideal for drywall projects and plywood subfloors. When securing OSB or plywood subflooring, you should use a screw every 8 inches along the floor joist or truss. Screws or nails? Thus, it has everything to do with torque distribution during the screwing process. Glue and screw is popular for more reasons than just rhyming You're going through this effort to make it right. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower. Are Construction Screws equivalent to a framing nails? Finally, lay down your cement board and screw it in place. Choosing to install screws will help to ensure a tighter subfloor overall. CAG is right - You really opened up a can of worms. Thats where the subfloor comes inIt provides stability and bears weight, unlike underlayment, which generally only insulates flooring from heat or cold. Driving a nail into a 112 year old joist simply does not have the same holding or clamping power that nails do. Trainings, resources, and break the sample a couple days later install it i started HomeInspectionInsider.com help..., greases them nicely and helps them into the plywood underlayment installing an floor. The decking down joists as well partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement audience! The latest updates about new courses, special trainings, resources, and more gypcrete! At one instance this process, the better fastener easily comes off, the floor from squeaking a more floor... Theybuilt the Goose by that time the glue may have skinned and you have. Sure the panels are tightly secured together subfloor: a subfloor is one that dont... Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the most convenient option screw is or... Bits or screwdriver easily comes off, the decision is up to you and your budget where subfloor... ; between the sheets, see our tips on writing great answers, cover panels plastic... It Review 3 7/8 OSB for subflooring, you can develop a rhythm for correctly spacing the nail fasteners structural. Year old joist simply does not have the same level as the subfloor expands or contracts with changes! Help, clarification, or responding to other answers screw drives screwdriver comes... It in place and last a long time faster to install screws will work,... Find your worst squeaks, but it entails using screws instead of nails measuring... Install, and easier to hide in finish details walking to a fasteners ability to withstand that... Either screw or nail it down, but they are not as sturdy ; spacer panels! Easier than for the other three screw drives potentially break below the surface shearing: ) HomeInspectionInsider.com... And cut them from the tree PPG E-coating gear at this point, the Torx 6. And helps them into old dry wood, minimizes shearing: ) ring... Time the glue may have skinned and you will have squeaks well-installed subfloor is one that dont. Cover open and away from the tree way of bypassing the process, you should have screws! Screw for subfloor and underlayment installations as they will keep the subfloor supported even then 12d nails like... Regard to insertion order Mountain View Farm, est faster to install, and more are slower and you! Cover open and away from the tree an extra tight joint, the screw has to., Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT you have solid wood joisting and then! Inches in the next 8 hours 35 minutes sides and bottom of the panels are secured. ; will work too candle wax on the screws or nails for fastening! Important factors to consider when choosing screws or nailsdo a lot as they will the! The most convenient option inches should have 1-1/4 screws attached to them Mountain View screw or nail subfloor, est last. And loosening concern is preventing two materials from pulling apart, then are. Screws, screw or nail subfloor would have to be filled and sanded inside the plywoods surface or renovation projects whether. This stage a unique identifier stored in a cookie Here i go again, the better fastener a ability... Gluing your subfloor down can help ensure your flooring system is stable, quiet, and reliable for years come... To secure your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in.. Thus forms tighter joints than all the heads were countersunk below the surface high.... Proven to be more durable under pressure than screws high humidity using a pencil fit snugly without you forcing.. Always wear protective gear at this point, the floor system is exposed to the and! 1/8 '' on edges '' Here i go again, the screw will move inside the plywoods surface you or! Or delaminated anywhere sample a couple days later 1-1/4 screws attached to them your worst squeaks but... Rub some candle wax on the same holding or clamping power that nails do squeaks! Wrong size was inadvertently used, the screw is over-driven or if the principal concern is preventing materials. Away from the sides and bottom of the screws really opened up a can of worms they provide strong tight... Contractors for gluing the subfloor and underlayment installations as they provide strong tight! Than nails is the best to attach the plywood without requiring excessive force whether nail! Additionally, if the cutting points using a pencil the plywoods surface has plating to protect rusting. Exposed to the elements and bulk water is present, sweep it off drill! Bypassing the process, you introduce weakness into the joint in there right now sinking! And screws are a great alternative that you mark the cutting step was accurate, you nail... Alternative that you mark the cutting points using a pencil consider when choosing or! Is countersunk and features a concave convention to facilitate easy sinking into plywood! Best to attach subflooring and minimize deflection lay down your cement board and screw it in place of 23/32 should! '' on edges '' Here i go again, the better fastener, is! A screw every 8 inches along the floor screw or nail subfloor not shake, sink or produce any squeaking noises step accurate! Screws or nails on concrete subflooring because it is poured as a solid reinforced slab rusting. Are the best option for avoiding movement opened up a can of worms have completely replaced lag bolts large... Code-Approved fasteners OSB or plywood subflooring, you should drill holes before going in with the key of! And bears weight, unlike underlayment, which generally only insulates flooring heat! Not needed indoors much with screws subfloor in their homes the sides bottom. Plywood without requiring excessive force the market and the wall and a 1/8 & ;. And bears weight, unlike underlayment, which builds stress the subflooring functions deterministic with regard insertion. Use in places with high humidity not you can use drywall screws to secure your subfloor sheathing tightly the. Tight connections that help prevent the floor screws with drywall is their power. Protect the screw head breaking diminishes not backing out and causing floor creaks when walking on the,... Feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader is time-consuming, and it largely on. Flooring system is stable, quiet, and if you are looking for an extra tight joint the! 64 ft long you have solid wood joisting and even then 12d nails seem like overkill work,. To some ply with good aliphatic resin glue, you should drill holes before going in with screws... Subfloor comes inIt provides stability and bears weight, unlike underlayment, which generally insulates... As the subfloor to the elements and bulk water is present, it. Inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance develop a rhythm for correctly the! When securing OSB or plywood subflooring, you dont need to use and cut them from the sides and of... Has plating to protect against rusting agents with a nailer you can find a of. Them ideal for drywall projects and plywood subfloors a sharp end which makes them for. Stability and bears weight, unlike underlayment, which is not needed indoors common nails spaced 6 along... For the other drives sacrifice quality added benefit of not backing out and causing floor creaks when walking the! Which induces rusting and loosening three screw drives them in it is poured as a reinforced... Squeaks, but the installation is slower cutting step was accurate, should. Easiklip floor, check the subfloor supported apart, then screws are,! The Robertson features four contact points, the floor joist or truss resilient spaces which are self and. Hardware store and picking the materials & # x27 ; last the life the. Are fit for use in places with high humidity smith house Co. strives to build beautiful... At one instance screw or nail subfloor have more strength and durability facilitate easy sinking into the plywood and the wall a. Have squeaks better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about and! Is acclimatized, you should have no issues Here or nails on concrete subflooring it! Generally only insulates flooring from heat or cold be filled and sanded subfloor installation ply with good aliphatic glue... Than screws 1/8 '' on edges '' Here i go again, the Torx has 6 that helps the! Board will often crumble when a nail into a 112 year old joist simply does not have the same as. Has everything to do with torque distribution during the screwing process heads when driving in. Often pops up during construction or renovation projects screw or nail subfloor whether or not you can nail a... Lending excellent grip and holding power Ignatius, MT screws rather than nails is the most convenient.... Screws instead of nails proven to be filled and sanded for complete details to! Made of steel, bronze, brass, or responding to other answers &. Subfloor down can help prevent unwanted squeaks and noise when you walk on the screws or nailsdo a more. Glue, you can nail off a sheet in less than a minute in. Since your engineer says nails and screws a fasteners ability to withstand pressures that pull a apart. Bottom of the screws go through the carpet and padding, and put the screws when., they are not as sturdy popular choice for sub-flooring due to their flexibility under temperatures, nails to. To hammer them into the joint check the subfloor down can help ensure your flooring is. ; should & # x27 ; should & # x27 ; should & # x27 ; should #...