Can I Nail Down Hardwood On Osb

Osb subflooring is the norm today but it s usually thicker than 5 8.

Can i nail down hardwood on osb.

For example osb that has absorbed moisture on the jobsite contracts as it dries causing loosening around nails and staples that attach the hardwood. While this is not a definitive guide to hardwood installation over osb panels there are some important points to ponder. It s a different product than your father s osb. And hardwood flooring problems can arise later in the finished floor if the moisture differential between the osb and hardwood is too great.

Voluntary product standard ps2 as an acceptable underlay for nail down and glue down hardwood flooring under prescribed conditions. It does not hold as well as a 3 4 or 1 1 8 t g plywood subfloor but will sufficiently hold the hardwood. If you are installing perpendicular to the joists you nail in the joists and you should be fine not ideal but you have what you have. These are all not just my opinions but a close review of the facts from many learned sources and my own experience with squeaky osb floors and the damage that floor staples cause to hardwood floors.

Hardwood can make for a durable and beautiful floor but small mistakes in the subflooring or installation can wreak havoc and buckling squeaky uneven floors can all result from poor installation. If you want to do more work for yourself you can doublestick as well as nail. Nailing down a quality hardwood floor with osb. Osb can accommodate glue down nail staple or floating hardwood installations.

With glue down follow the hardwood flooring manufacturer s guidelines. Doublestick is were you glue down felt paper and glue wood over top of felt as well as. Nailing or stapling down wood floor is the most common and preferred install method for wood floor professionals if a wood subfloor in form of plywood or osb exists in the house. While installing 3 4 solid hardwood flooring 2 long nails or staples should be used.

Install 23 32 inch or thicker osb panels in the proper orientation that is with the side marked this side down facing down. Today most hardwood floor manufacturers accept and approve osb as a qualified subfloor for nail down and glue down installations. Tap tongue and groove sheets together with a hammer but leave a 1 8. Nailed down strip hardwood flooring is commonly used over osb.

The nwfa recognize 23 32 or thicker osb panels certified to u s. Some prohibit water based adhesives given the potential for both the flooring and wood substrate to absorb moisture from the glue.