Do You Have To Use Tongue And Groove Plywood For Subfloor?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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For subflooring, you use

tongue and groove plywood

. The tongue and groove are only along the 8 foot edges. On the four foot edges, your seams will fall on joist tops, so no need for tongue and groove.

Do I need tongue and groove?

Tongue and groove

gives added support at the seems

and makes for a more solid floor. If it was not tongue and groove, you could possibly step hard enough around a seam in the plywood and see the seams separate a bit. Plus, tongue and groove will help force a more level floor. Leaks have no bearing on why they are used.

What is tongue and groove plywood used for?

Tongue-and-groove plywood is superior to regular plywood for floor decks because it creates a stronger, more rigid subfloor, and helps

eliminate sagging

and “bounce” at the seams between the joists.

Should tongue and groove plywood be glued?


The tongue or the groove does not need to be glued

, although there is no reason not to. Some engineers require it in certain applications, but for standard subfloor applications none will be needed.

Why do people have tongue and groove flooring?

Nearly all hardwood flooring today is tongue and groove because

it solves the pesky problems—such

as shrinking, warping, and working loose—commonly experienced by face-nailing planks to floor joists.

When should you use tongue and groove plywood?

Tongue-and-groove plywood is superior to regular plywood for

floor decks

because it creates a stronger, more rigid subfloor, and helps eliminate sagging and “bounce” at the seams between the joists. But it is also more difficult to install because the tight-fitting joints don’t always go together easily.

How tight should tongue and groove be?

All it takes is

1⁄8′′

. The joint should be a firm press fit: If you have to knock the pieces together, then struggle to pull them apart, the joint’s too tight. A tongue that’s a hair too fat for the groove may actually seat, but it will stress the groove sidewalls and may, in time, prompt them to split.

Does the tongue or groove go against the wall?

Which side is the tongue, which the groove, and which goes first during installation?

The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation

.

Do you nail into the tongue or groove?

For tongue-and-groove flooring,

drive a nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue, then conceal it by engaging the groove of the next board

. Be sure to countersink the nail — drive it slightly below the surface of the wood — to prevent interference in the joint.

Do you have to nail down hardwood floor?

Solid hardwood floors must be fixed into position by

either gluing or nailing down to the subfloor

. … However, if you are planning on fitting your hardwood floor to joists, then you will need to secret nail them into place.

How can I make my tongue and groove tight?

Solutions. If the tongue and groove fit is slightly tight,

fold a piece of sand paper over the tongue and run it up and down a few times

. Follow this by brushing off the excess dust. This will often ease the fit causing fewer difficulties.

Is tongue and groove flooring good?

Although tongue and groove can apply to other types of floors, it is a

staple of a good hardwood floor

. When constructed by gluing together tongue and groove boards, hardwood floors are smooth and free of nails, making them both visually appealing and safe to walk on barefoot.

How much does it cost to install tongue and groove flooring?

Glue and screw tongue and grove subflooring with manufacturer recommended spacing. Includes 1 cutout per 100 SF. For a basic project in zip code 47474 with 120 square feet, the cost to Install Prefinished Hardwood Flooring starts at

$12.49 – $17.69 per square foot

*.

Is tongue and groove flooring waterproof?

NINJA CORETM 5 mm Rigid Core is

100% waterproof

. More dimensionally stable than engineered wood and WPC. NINJALOCK Precision Milled Tongue and Groove for glueless installation.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.