Best Fasteners for Douglas Fir Tongue & Groove Porch Floor
user-135549
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I am replacing an original tongue & groove douglas fir covered porch floor on a 100-yr old house in Virginia. Porch is about 8′ deep by 30′ long. Using clear vertical grain douglas fir from the great State of Oregon. My question is about fasteners. I’ve identified 3 potential “blind nailing” methods:
(1) 2-1/4″ x 7 stainless steel trim screws (star drive bit), pre-drilled by hand; or
(2) 2″ ring shank stainless steel siding nails (with Senco coil nailer SCN49XP)
(3) 2″ 16ga L-head flooring stainless steel cleat nails (with Senco pneumatic flooring nailer SHF200)
Please share your suggestion about the “best’ method, and which I should use to ensure maximum longevity/grip.
Thanks!
Replies
What was your 100 year old porch floor attached with?
Go with the answer to that question.
Hah, too many face nails, and a lot of epoxy patches over the years! But yes, it is amazing how parts of it have help up so long. The new wood has a nice tight grain, but I doubt it will hold up as well.
As Calvin has pointed out the fir you buy today is not the fir of 100 years ago. I would do like Calvin suggested and prime all raw wood, maybe even 2 coats then nail with hot dip or galvanized nails. It makes a great looking porch so I hope it turns out well for you.
User
over the years we have used fir flooring many times, mostly inside. However, on occasion exterior installation. We've used both hand nails as well as flooring staples in both hand and air flooring nailers.
Exterior I've hand nailed with double dipped galv siding nails blind. Also lately when I found them, stainless cleats in air and hand flooring nailers. All worked well, with of course the air being easier.
Know this however, your old growth fir from a hundred yrs ago lasted a very long time. I've done some replacement of troubled porch areas many times. It used to be possible in the 70's and 80's to still find old fir, but now good luck!
I replaced the framing and deck of a front landing about 10 yrs ago using newer fir and here's the caution. This was to be painted but b/4 install I primed and painted all sides, cuts and t&g's. Painters followed with the finish with some sand broadcast for gription.
The newer fir did not hold up as well as hoped and there is now a need to replace some boards.
best of luck.
I'm a resident (and native) of the great state of Oregon.
I think CVG DF is really similar to old growth. If you do the screws, you will definately need to pre-drill or you'll get splitting all over. I think that would be the best route. I did about 400 sf and used stainless 7/16" crown staples with a senco gun, and that worked great, but it was indoors.