Nailing floor with glue versus screwing floor without glue--which is better?

Posted by Sasquatch on October 3, 2006, 9:36 am

For the house we're having built, it's time to build the floor deck.
I'm not doing the work, but I'm curious... What's the better method
for building a floor deck? ...nailing the floor boards to the joists
with glue or construction adhesive? ...or screwing the floor boards to
the joists without glue? My builder told me that they typically screw
the boards to the joists without glue, but my brother told me that he
has always nailed the floor boards to the joists with construction
adhesive. Which is the better technique? Will screws without glue
work well, or will we end up with squeaks? (I think this is 3/4" OSB
on top of 14" engineered joists.) Please advise. Thanks! - John

Posted by RicodJour on October 3, 2006, 11:34 am

Sasquatch wrote:

> For the house we're having built, it's time to build the floor deck.
> I'm not doing the work, but I'm curious... What's the better method
> for building a floor deck? ...nailing the floor boards to the joists
> with glue or construction adhesive? ...or screwing the floor boards to
> the joists without glue? My builder told me that they typically screw
> the boards to the joists without glue, but my brother told me that he
> has always nailed the floor boards to the joists with construction
> adhesive. Which is the better technique? Will screws without glue
> work well, or will we end up with squeaks? (I think this is 3/4" OSB
> on top of 14" engineered joists.) Please advise. Thanks! - John

Hey John. Crossposting in this instance would not have been a bad
thing. Everyone would get to see the replies and they wouldn't bother
posting if the same advice had already been given. It also makes it
marginally easier for you to read the replies (depending on your
newsreader).

R

Posted by Robert Allison on October 3, 2006, 5:18 pm

Sasquatch wrote:

We use construction adhesive on all floors, tack them down
with nails, then go back and screw everything down. You can
screw them down without adhesive, but the little bit of extra
cost is good insurance in my book. If you nail them down
(which I detest), then use ring shank nails and adhesive.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

Posted by Sasquatch on October 3, 2006, 5:34 pm

So I'm getting the impression that screws+glue is *DEFINITELY* better
than nails alone. But it sounds like screws by themselves, even
without glue, is a pretty decent technique, too. Would you say that
screws alone is just about as good as nails+glue?

Posted by RicodJour on October 3, 2006, 6:25 pm

Sasquatch wrote:

> So I'm getting the impression that screws+glue is *DEFINITELY* better
> than nails alone. But it sounds like screws by themselves, even
> without glue, is a pretty decent technique, too. Would you say that
> screws alone is just about as good as nails+glue?

This is what I mean about the crossposting. I answered this for you
already. From my reply to your post in alt.architecture:

"Nailed and glued is better for typical stick-built framing. If you
could assure very dry framing lumber, thereby eliminating most
shrinkage due to moisture loss in the wood, the screws would be as
good. Since you're going with engineered joists and OSB, it's a toss
up. I'd tell the builder to use glue and screw it. Cheap insurance
and he doesn't have to change his fastening method and tools."

R

Page 1 of 2 1 2 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
Problems Installing Glue-Down Wood Floor	March 12, 2007, 6:48 pm
Building stud partition onto tile floor with under floor heating	July 12, 2006, 2:54 pm
Learn how floor tile patterns affect the look of your new floor.	October 11, 2007, 3:39 pm
Sprayer versus roller versus power roller	January 27, 2007, 12:14 am
screwing forms	October 8, 2007, 1:20 am
Nailing Board and Batten Siding Help Please	June 28, 2008, 9:01 pm
screwing in tapcons into hollow brick	November 21, 2007, 4:17 pm
floor	January 27, 2007, 12:46 pm
Insulate below a floor or not?	November 10, 2006, 10:28 pm
New concrete floor	November 17, 2006, 4:08 pm