Decking

[mreynolds]

I am getting ready to apply my decking on my first floor over the floor joists. We are using advantech subflooring (fancy OSB), is the any preferences out there on how to fasten these panels? I just heard someone talking about stapling them down. I just assumed we would hit it with 8d nails and glue. We have truss joists below with 2.5 inch flanges, so the floor is pretty solid.

[Rich]

I've always glued and screwed them. No squeaks. It takes a little longer but otherwise a much superior floor.

[mjpliv]

An important nuance with any wood I-joist system is the requirement to stagger the screws/nails to either side of the joist centerline. The web material is set in a kerf cut on the flanges, this means that the center is the thinest (weakest) part of the assembly. I have seen screws split both the LVL and lumber flanges.

Also when you are glueing the subfloor down, drop the sheet in place, set the t&g, make sure you are square and tack the sheet down with a few nails/screws/staples. Immediately finish nailing off the sheet to the manufacturer's specs. Don't lay the whole floor then come back and start nailing off the sheets. Construction adhesives set up pretty quick so if you come back later to nail off the sheets, you could break the glue bond and cause future squeaks. The half set glue may also hold the sub floor off the joist surface when you try to fasten it down.

You know you have it right when the glue is running down the sides of the joist flanges.