There is divine inspiration in the saying, “a job worth doing is worth doing well.” This is especially true when it comes to construction. A well-constructed building or home will have a longer life and require less maintenance over time, and that’s a blessing to any home owner. Subfloors are notoriously undervalued when it comes to quality installation, which can lead to hellish issues and repairs in the future. Here we give you three keys to achieving subfloor nirvana.
- The Past. Before there is a finished floor, there is a subfloor. And, before there is a subfloor, there is a foundation. To ensure that your final construction is lasting, every level needs to be taken into account. The joists that support your subfloor need to be prepped before you install. This can be done by creating a smooth, sturdy and level surface. Sanding the joists will create the surface you need.
- The Present. After removing the dust and debris lay out your plywood subfloor panels, starting at the center of the room with the grain running perpendicular to the joists and the better-looking side facing up. Edges parallel to the joists should lay on the joists directly. Panels should be staggered, and there should never be four corners meeting up to each other. When you’ve laid the floor out following these suggestions, it’s time to apply your construction adhesive to the joists.
- The Future. To ensure your subfloor maintains its pristine condition in the future, finalize your installation with the highest quality fasteners available every 6” along the joists. When it comes to subfloors, use SubLoc® PRO SCRAIL®, which was developed to avoid subfloor squeaks that result from micro movement of the wood. SCRAIL® fasteners take advantage of pneumatic technology and apply like nails, but can be backed out like a screw. They provide a heavenly hold that will keep your subfloors in peak condition.
Taking great pains to properly install your subfloor will help you attain a higher level of construction glory. Using the best quality fasteners and tools, like SubLoc® PRO SCRAIL® and pneumatic tools from FASCO America® will ensure you spread the blessings of high-quality workmanship to your customers.