Should i screw or nail subfloor

Second, you want to make sure the subfloor is properly glued and screwed to the floor joists; if it's not, there will be squeaking and creaking. When you use a nail gun to attach subfloor sheathing to the floor joists, the nail sometimes misses the joist. Remember, nails can pull up; screws don't.

Additionally, can I use deck screws for subfloor? Deck screws are a good choice. Don't use drywall screws ; they're prone to the heads snapping off. The number refers to the thickness of the screw.

Typically, the 3-inch variety is used to secure plywood subfloors. Use subfloor adhesive , and screw 8" at edges, 12" in field. Adhesive will help you here, as the subfloor plywood will have voids in spots that will not hold a fastener.

Overall, screws tend to be somewhat more expensive, but like nails , some offer better quality for a higher price. With that said, it's imperative you choose a fastener compatible with your subfloor thickness and material. Nails are an essential tool in construction and homebuilding. They have been proven to be more durable under pressure than screws. They will not snap when the project requires some force or manipulation of a material like plywood sheathing for your exterior walls.

This flexibility also makes them great for securing hardwood floors. Nailing the subfloor entails the usage of galvanized nails. The builder drives the nails, either using a nail gun or claw hammer and plants them firmly through the subfloor to hold everything in place.

To begin this process, you need to have a layout and plan where the nails need to go in. When nailing down a subfloor, you need to use markings on the board. Alternatively, you can develop a rhythm for correctly spacing the nail fasteners.

Whoever drives the nails through the subfloor needs to make sure that the nails are well secured. They should be on the same level as the subfloor and never protrude. After nailing, you glue the joists getting ready to lay the next sheet. Everything needs to fit snugly without you forcing it.

Place nails 6 inches apart on the supported edges of a panel and 12 inches in from each edge if not specified by construction drawings. Most manufacturers have a fastener template printed directly onto their panels for convenience, so make sure you read over it before installation. Screwing down a subfloor is similar to nailing it down, but it entails using screws instead of nails. To do this, you can use an electric impact drill to make the work much faster and easier.

Screwing the subfloor by yourself using a regular screw can take a ton of extra time and is usually unnecessary with the many alternatives available. Here is why:. Screws can be tedious to screw into a subfloor, which takes considerably more time than simply shooting in a nail using a nail gun. Suppose you decide not to use nails; screwing is the next option. The type of screws you ideally use is dependent on the thickness of the subfloor. For instance, a thick subfloor can take a 3-inch screw that you drive through the subfloor until they are firmly in place.

You use a heavy-duty drill to drive in the head wood screws through the subfloor underneath. You need to ensure that the screws go through the floor joists as well. You need to space the screws at least 8 inches apart. If you want to have an easier and faster time with this process, you should drill holes before going in with the screws.

Between nailing and screwing, nailing is the fastest method for subfloors. Framing a subfloor can be quick and carried out by using an air nailer like a Paslode device. There are a couple new options to consider too. Senco offers a Whisper Grip Coil Nail , which can be run through any 15 degree coil framing nailer.

Paslode also offers their Tetra-GRIP Nails , designed specifically for subfloor installation - however, this fastener requires Paslode's proprietary nailer to use. E-MAIL: sales nailgundepot. Cincinnati, OH Installing Subfloors: Nails vs. Screws July 24, Before making a decision, consider the following key points: Which is faster?

Which is more economical? Which has better holding power? Which fastener prevents floor squeaks? Are there any alternative options? Leave a comment. Gio March 3, at PM. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter!

Please insert a valid email address. Overall, nails will get your carpentry project done faster than screws. On a tight budget? Nails are typically the more economical option. However, keep in mind that not all nails will provide the same level of quality or durability that screws do. Some nails like stainless steel nails are higher quality and are well worth the price in the end to maintain the longevity of your subflooring.

Overall, you will want your subfloor to be sturdy and last for as long as possible. Therefore, consider whether you want to sacrifice quality. Consider opting for either high quality nails or screws to ensure durability and sturdiness for many years to come.

Subfloors are exposed to heat and cold throughout the year. With this comes expanding and contracting with the changing temperature. You'll want to factor in the changes in your subfloor when selecting either screws or nails for your project. For example, the small thread on a ring shank won't provide quite the level of holding power that a screw will.

Choosing to install screws will help to ensure a tighter subfloor overall. However, there are nevertheless a couple drawbacks to using screws over nails.