Hello,
Still trying to contract out the build of my house and we are starting framing in the next few days. The lumber yard asked what I would prefer to use on the subfloor – 5/8″ spurce T&G or 3/4″ OSB T&G. My framer recommends the spruce over the OSB, but the lumber yard guy strongly recommends the OSB and mentions he sells a tonne of it to the higher-end builders with no complaints. Since I am not experienced with either product in great detail, I would like anyone to provide recommendations on what they would prefer to use. For reference, this is a 2,600 ft2 2 storey (1,300 / floor), 16″ engineered floor joists. Flooring with be either 3/4″ hardwood, or porcelin tile. Thanks agian for your help!
Replies
Advantec...silent floor system
I've upped my standards...now up yours
grandchat27
If you're going to put down hardwood floor OSB isn't really good enough at holding nails to warrant it's use
I know it's done sometimes but speak to most flooring installers and they poo-poo OSB.
5/8ths is a bit unusual 11/16ths is more the norm we're only speaking about a 16th of an inch here but I've never seen a 5/8ths floor and I have seen countless 11/16ths (just shy of 3/4 inch which is what is really the norm)..
ME? My sub flooring is two inch thick hardwood. Tamarack, Hackberry, soft maple, etc..
My Rule No. 1:
NEVER use OSB. For anything.
Sure they sell a lot of it. It's cheap cr*p that is covered up, so the builder saves $10 and the owners of all those high-end houses don't realize how the builder screwed them until a couple of years later when the floor starts to squeak like a wounded rodent or some water leak buckles them.
Can you tell I don't like OSB?
Use Advantech or 3/4" T&G ply.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
NEVER use OSB. For anything.
Not entirely true--it makes decent-enough temporary shipping crates. Not bad for other people's hen houses. Or, in case you need a quarter-yard of sand or gravle delivered, it'll go onder the load to make it a little easier to shovel into wheelbarrows.
Besides, the national-sized builders have to use something, better that it's osb than let them dry up supplies of better products, no?Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Points awarded for coming up with appropriate uses for OSB.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Another question - I live in Canada and I've been asking around and everyone is telling me that they don't use Advantec around here and they use "Edge Gold" from Weyerhauser instead. Apparently it's basically the same product, but it's easier to get in Canada than the comparable Advantec. Any thoughts on which is better??? I've attached a link to the website which seems to be very comparable to the Advantec. Thanks again for your helps!!!
Also, another respected lumber yard is pushing this Georgia Pacific product called "Plytanium¯ DryPly¯ plywood" which he says is a very good product. Does anyone have any experience with this product? (see link below for more details)
In the end, I think I am going to go with either of these 2 products in 3/4" sizing b/c the Advantec I can't get around here apparently? Any further thoughts on either of these products will be greatly appreciated as always!!!
http://www.ilevel.com/literature/OSB-4002.pdf
http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pid=4882&gphome
I've used Edge Gold and Advantec extensively. You get what you pay for. Just for round #s cheap OSB is $10, Edge Gold is $15 and Advantec is $20. (US dollars). Comparing the Advantec to Edge Gold, the Advantec is denser, more durable, and more water resistant - actually very water resistant. I do use Edge Gold on less expensive homes though. It does OK as long as it is not left exposed for weeks. My framers can have the black paper on the roof of a 2000 sq foot house in 4 days and I'll usually have the perm roof on 2 weeks after that so I don't worry about long exposure times. Another problem I've noticed with EG is that it can be damaged a little more easily. Sometimes I find holes in my subfloors - where it looks like someone dropped something on it hard. Of coarse no one ever knows how that hole got there :-). Like maybe if one of the framers drops a 2x6 from the unsheathed roof level to the floor endwise, or maybe if the HVAC guys drop the air handler on the floor. I wouldn't use the cheap OSB for anything other than attic floor sheathing.
All in all though I think the better quality OSB products are superior to plywood. These OSBs are flatter and won't delaminate like plywood can, especially if it takes a fair amount of weather. I suspect that the framer may like the 5/8" stuff because it is lighter to handle.
Matt's reply probably tells you more than I could. I don't have any experience with the two products you mention.
You might want to contact Huber to see if anyone local to you sells Advantek: http://www.huberwood.com/
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
I'd stick to whatever the local suppliers stock. The edge gold is probably your best choice. The new product in town might be a good value if you can get it discounted (probably not).I had a house with 5/8" t&g. It worked for me and it sill works for the current homeowner. I framed that house in 1982 and it is holding up fine. At one point in the 90's I installed a couple hundred feet of tile over a 5/8" mud bed and everything is holding up fine...no cracks. If I was on a budget, and I needed the savings that the 5/8" offered, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. My only concern would be the spruce finish because that tends to swell and buckle (the top layer) if it gets wet. On most rough frames it's customary in some areas to take on water during the rough. The exterior glue will withstand a lot of water but sometimes the top ply swells and cracks. The mill will warrant it, but I just wouldn't want the inconvenience of having to r&r the damaged sheets.3/4 is the norm nowadays and some folks like the heavier floors. I like heavier floors too but I'm quite fine with the bouncier floors which are much better for the lower back. FKA Blue (eyeddevil)
NEVER use OSB. For anything. Use Advantech
Isn't Advantech an osb product?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
1/2" CDX subfloor, 5/8 BCX underlayment on top of that or 1 1/8" Advantech as sub/underlay combination will allow you to put whatever flooring you want on top.
you'll not regret it.... ever.
Liberty = Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control.
American Heritage Dictionary
Use 3/4" T&G glued and nailed with ringshank and that's all you need. One layer and your done. I've never used Advantec before but I don't use osb for decking.
>> 16" engineered floor joists.<<
Is that a 16" tall I-joist on an unstated center spacing?
or
An I-joist of unstated height on 16" centers?
The open span of the subfloor material does make a difference especially when considering a tile installation.
I would be inclined to start with 3/4", t&g, Sturd-I-floor rated, plywood. Don't know where you are in the country, so you may be seeing a plywood rating stamp of "Unifloor" - same specs, different rating agency.
Lots of glue and 8d ring shank nails.
Just what you wanted -- my answer is neither of your two choices!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.