Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor

Happy Hiker · 04-09-2008, 10:14 AM

We are laying DuraCeramic floor tile on a new construction bathroom floor. What method should we use to secure the luan to the plywood floor? We don't own a compressor and would prefer not to use a high pressure staple gun. Can we use adhesive? Underlayment nails? This is a small 5X7 room.

Thanks in advance for sharing your advice!

Happy Hiker

troubleseeker · 04-09-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Hiker

We are laying DuraCeramic floor tile on a new construction bathroom floor. What method should we use to secure the luan to the plywood floor? We don't own a compressor and would prefer not to use a high pressure staple gun. Can we use adhesive? Underlayment nails? This is a small 5X7 room.

Thanks in advance for sharing your advice!

Happy Hiker

Do not use anything. Return the laun and get a proper underlayerment material, as laun is not approved for underlayerment for any type of floor, by any flooring manufacturer that I know of. You can then secure the backer board, which ever product you decide on, by bedding it in thinset and hand nailing with either ring shank underlayerment nails of galvanized roofing nails.

HomeSealed · 04-09-2008, 11:39 PM

Second that!

Ron6519 · 04-10-2008, 09:07 AM

This stuff is vinyl tile that looks like ceramic. What does the manufacturer say about luan as an underlayment?
Ron

Dura ceramic website listing:

Subfloor and Preparation

All subfloors should be clean, smooth and dry.

Install over:

— Double layer wood construction over joists or trusses on 16” centers
— Single layer APA rated Sturd-I-Floor T&G Panels, minimum
23/32”over joists or trusses on 16” centers
— APA Underlayment Grade Plywood
— Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
— NPA Rated Particleboard
— On, above and below grade concrete
— Gypsum topping and lightweight concrete
— Single layer, fully adhered resilient flooring

— Old adhesive residue and paint

I don't see luan.

Happy Hiker · 04-10-2008, 10:43 AM

Okay, it's back to the drawing board for us. We were told by a big home improvement store to use luan. We'll return it and start again. Thanks to all who took time to give us advice.

Ron6519 · 04-10-2008, 12:15 PM

Why can't you just put down the thinnest exterior grade ply you can find? If you like the floor, just return the luan.
Ron

Happy Hiker · 04-10-2008, 01:41 PM

The builder used ADVANTECH (59 year limited warranty). It looks like plywood and it looks good. Maybe we don't need an underlayment?

Ron6519 · 04-10-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Hiker

The builder used ADVANTECH (59 year limited warranty). It looks like plywood and it looks good. Maybe we don't need an underlayment?

Subfloors are not good surfaces for vinyl products. You need a smooth properly fastened underlayment for a successful job. The seams need to be filled and sanded. The fasteners need to be countersunk, filled and sanded.
Proper underlayment, glued, screwed ,filled and sanded. Any short cuts and you'll be ripping it up within a year.
Ron

04-09-2008, 10:14 AM	#1
Happy Hiker Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6	Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor We are laying DuraCeramic floor tile on a new construction bathroom floor. What method should we use to secure the luan to the plywood floor? We don't own a compressor and would prefer not to use a high pressure staple gun. Can we use adhesive? Underlayment nails? This is a small 5X7 room. Thanks in advance for sharing your advice! Happy Hiker

04-09-2008, 11:39 PM	#3
HomeSealed Windows & Remodeling Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee,WI Posts: 1,204	Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor Second that! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-10-2008, 09:07 AM	#4
Ron6519 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 9,519	Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor This stuff is vinyl tile that looks like ceramic. What does the manufacturer say about luan as an underlayment? Ron Dura ceramic website listing: Subfloor and Preparation All subfloors should be clean, smooth and dry. Install over: — Double layer wood construction over joists or trusses on 16” centers — Single layer APA rated Sturd-I-Floor T&G Panels, minimum 23/32”over joists or trusses on 16” centers — APA Underlayment Grade Plywood — Oriented Strand Board (OSB) — NPA Rated Particleboard — On, above and below grade concrete — Gypsum topping and lightweight concrete — Single layer, fully adhered resilient flooring — Old adhesive residue and paint I don't see luan. Last edited by Ron6519; 04-10-2008 at 09:14 AM. Reason: Added info

04-10-2008, 10:43 AM	#5
Happy Hiker Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6	Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor Okay, it's back to the drawing board for us. We were told by a big home improvement store to use luan. We'll return it and start again. Thanks to all who took time to give us advice.

04-10-2008, 12:15 PM	#6
Ron6519 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 9,519	Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor Why can't you just put down the thinnest exterior grade ply you can find? If you like the floor, just return the luan. Ron

Securing Luan to bathroom plywood floor