Attaching luan plywood to subfloor

journeyman102 · 11-17-2011, 09:43 AM

I'm installing vinyl tiles over an existing vinyl tile hallway. Which is better to attach luan plywood over the sub floor ring shank nails or screws? If screw what kind? Existing floor has 1/4" Masonite+1/8" vinyl tile on top of that I will add 1/4" laun plywood + 1/8" vinyl tiles. Not sure of the thickness of the floor underneath. I understand your not a fan of luan plywood but that's what I have to work with.

rusty baker · 11-17-2011, 10:17 AM

I am sure that one of the vinyl "experts" will help you.

JazMan · 11-17-2011, 08:17 PM

I agree no screws, use the ring shank nails made for the purpose.

Quote:

Pros use 9/16" 18 guage staples,

OH OH, isn't that too short? I thought, and the vinyl guys here have always used 7/8" staples. I haven't installed thin ply in many years, but I do have a staple gun made just for installing 1/4" and also luaun and they're coated 7/8".

Quote:

every 4"-6" in the field and 1"-2" along the edges.

No wonder you go 1-2" at seams. In this case the staple would not even penetrate the subfloor.

Jaz

rusty baker · 11-17-2011, 08:48 PM

Whatever you think.

JazMan · 11-17-2011, 09:37 PM

OH OH, I guess I caught you on the wrong night.

I'm just saying what I've noticed and what I used to sell for 1/4" underlayment and luaun. I believe they use 7/8" -1/4" crown for the job. I just went to my van to see what I had. Mine are actually 1 1/8" long. I think I bought those cuz I occasionally used to use 3/8" AC ply. Haven't installed 3/8" in 3-4 years. Duo-Fast is the brand. I didn't find a 9/16" in the Duo-Fast selection, but doesn't mean they don't make em.

So you're saying Armstrong says 9/16" is long enough? That means the staple is penetrating the subfloor about 3/8". What underlayment are you using under sheet goods? Hopefully not luaun, does anyone dare use that stuff these days?

Here's something I found on the subject;

With all underlayments,
the fastener should penetrate the underfloor by
3/4” (1.9cm), but not protrude through the underfloor
by more than 1/8” (3.2mm). If the underlayment is
being installed over an old floor covering, the thickness
of the flooring should be taken into consideration
when selecting nail and staple length.

Jaz

**Gary in WA** · 11-17-2011, 11:40 PM

Yep, wow! http://www.apa-europe.org/Languages/.../PDF/R340G.pdf

Luan; http://www.fcimag.com/CDA/Archives/B...00000000141280

Gary

11-17-2011, 09:43 AM	#1
journeyman102 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1	Attaching luan plywood to subfloor I'm installing vinyl tiles over an existing vinyl tile hallway. Which is better to attach luan plywood over the sub floor ring shank nails or screws? If screw what kind? Existing floor has 1/4" Masonite+1/8" vinyl tile on top of that I will add 1/4" laun plywood + 1/8" vinyl tiles. Not sure of the thickness of the floor underneath. I understand your not a fan of luan plywood but that's what I have to work with. Last edited by journeyman102; 11-17-2011 at 09:52 AM. Reason: ERRORS

11-17-2011, 10:17 AM	#2
rusty baker Pro Flooring Installer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 3,154	Attaching luan plywood to subfloor I am sure that one of the vinyl "experts" will help you. __________________ "I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better" Semi-Retired Installer Installing since 1973 Last edited by rusty baker; 11-18-2011 at 09:04 AM.

11-17-2011, 08:48 PM	#4
rusty baker Pro Flooring Installer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 3,154	Attaching luan plywood to subfloor Whatever you think. __________________ "I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better" Semi-Retired Installer Installing since 1973 Last edited by rusty baker; 11-18-2011 at 09:04 AM.

11-17-2011, 09:37 PM	#5
JazMan Tileguy Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 3,287	Attaching luan plywood to subfloor OH OH, I guess I caught you on the wrong night. I'm just saying what I've noticed and what I used to sell for 1/4" underlayment and luaun. I believe they use 7/8" -1/4" crown for the job. I just went to my van to see what I had. Mine are actually 1 1/8" long. I think I bought those cuz I occasionally used to use 3/8" AC ply. Haven't installed 3/8" in 3-4 years. Duo-Fast is the brand. I didn't find a 9/16" in the Duo-Fast selection, but doesn't mean they don't make em. So you're saying Armstrong says 9/16" is long enough? That means the staple is penetrating the subfloor about 3/8". What underlayment are you using under sheet goods? Hopefully not luaun, does anyone dare use that stuff these days? Here's something I found on the subject; With all underlayments, the fastener should penetrate the underfloor by 3/4” (1.9cm), but not protrude through the underfloor by more than 1/8” (3.2mm). If the underlayment is being installed over an old floor covering, the thickness of the flooring should be taken into consideration when selecting nail and staple length. Jaz __________________ Tile 4 You LLC Troy, MI KERDI Shower Specialist ... DITRA Installs ... Product-Method suitability consultation. I have NEVER made a mistake, I thought I did once...........but I was wrong! - PRODUCTS ADVERTISED WITHIN MY POST ARE NOT ENDORSED BY ME! Last edited by JazMan; 11-17-2011 at 09:55 PM.

11-17-2011, 11:40 PM	#6
Gary in WA Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 8,851	Attaching luan plywood to subfloor Yep, wow! http://www.apa-europe.org/Languages/.../PDF/R340G.pdf Luan; http://www.fcimag.com/CDA/Archives/B...00000000141280 Gary __________________ Clothes taking longer to dry? Clean the dryer screen in HOT water if using fabric softener sheets. They leave a residue that impedes air-flow, costing you money. Clean the ducting in the last six months? 17,000 dryer fires annually!

Attaching luan plywood to subfloor