I have a homeowner flooring question.
I am going to be replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with 3-1/4″ x 3/4″ Oak hardwood flooring in my dining, living & family rooms. The subfloor currently is 3/4″ OSB Sturdiwood. I need to add a layer of 1/2″ plywood over the OSB to raise the floor to match the newly tiled ceramic kitchen floor. I also want to add the 1/2″ inch layer so the flooring staples hold better..
Can I use standard 1/2″ BCX (sanded one side) plywood or should I use the fancy 1/2″ douglas fir underlayment plywood (this is the stuff that has the “x” screw position marks printed on it and has no knots or imperfections)?? The 1/2″ BCX is about $14 per 4×8 sheet vs. $26 for the fancy underlayment plywood. Since I’m going to need about 25 sheets, the BCX saves some money. The money savings is nice, but if the douglas fir underlayment is a better product over time I’m glad to spent the money.
Thanks in advance for your comments!
mark
Edited 8/17/2007 1:00 pm by mark14
Replies
IMO the BCX is plenty fine for under strip flooring. The fancy underlay sounds to me like it is designed for use under thinner flooring products that require a more perfectly smooth surface.
Bill
BC is fine, I'd say. The fancy "X" stuff ( which here is Birch , I think) is more for Vinyl and the like..voidless and smoother sanded.
thanks for the comments!!!
BCX is grade B on one side, grade C on the other, and eXterior glue. It says nothing about the type of wood.George Patterson
I KNOW that, I was referring to the "X" nailing pattern he observerd on what he called DF underlayment, and Underlayment as such decribed is not DF here. it is Birch.
I do believe his confusion is that the BCX is more likely DF, and any underlay is Luaun or Birch, I have never seen BCX in any thing other than Yellow Pine or Fir.
You mistook my "X" as exterior not the preprinted nailing schedule.
over 3/4 sturdi floor you could use cdx with no ill effects.
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Pants???
I Don't need No Steenking Pants!!!