The loss of fastener holding can directly impact the performance of otherwise properly installed engineered wood flooring. In OSB, this swelling can create a decrease in fiber density and a degradation of bond strength between the strands, especially at panel edges, causing a reduction in wood flooring fastener retention. We know that swelling can occur with any wood product when exposed to water. The wood flooring industry has bemoaned the use of commodity OSB products due to swelling after exposure to the multiple wetting/drying cycles experienced during the build. OSB can be a good subflooring option, though different performance levels exist. Dried globs of drywall mud, paint, grout, or other construction materials not adequately removed from the subfloor will also adversely affect the flatness of the substrate and result in a noisy floor.Īs the availability of slow growth plywood fades and economics come in to play, builders are moving to OSB for their new construction subfloors. Subfloors that are not properly scraped or cleaned before installation can also cause similar voids or high spots that can result in a noisy floor system. When the subfloor seams are not sanded flat, the result is normally a subfloor that is not within tolerance. It is almost always necessary to expect that the subfloor seams will need to be sanded flat as part of jobsite preparation. When subfloors are outside of the flatness tolerances, voids are created that allow the flooring to move vertically, resulting in a noisy flooring system. The NWFA standard for subfloor flatness on a nail-down installation is 1/4″ in 10′ or 3/16″ in 6′. To the contrary, one of the more common issues we have heard of through our technical call center is directly related to squeaking, popping, and crunching noises in installed engineered wood floors.įollowing are a few of the more common causes of squeaking, popping, and crunching noises in installed engineered wood floors. With improved stability, you would expect fewer squeaking, popping, and crunching complaints. There are many reasons, but improved stability is one major factor. One trend we have seen within our industry over the last couple of decades has been the movement toward engineered wood flooring. As wood floor installers, we often do our best to address existing squeaks in wood subfloors, but it is not normally something that the wood flooring professional is responsible for fixing unless we’re otherwise contracted to do so. Some of the most common causes of a squeaky floor originating from the subfloor system include poorly nailed subfloor sheathing, missing joist hangers, missing nails or nails that just miss the joist, improperly installed subfloor sheathing, improper application of subfloor adhesive, and excessive shrinkage of subfloor materials. Many squeaking and popping noises originate from the subfloor system below the floor. However, the fact that all wood floors make noises does not insinuate that they are supposed to, or that they have been manufactured to make these noises. These noises are not always a direct concern with the installed wood floor as long as the movement accompanying the audible squeak does not affect the performance of the installation. An occasional squeak within any properly installed wood floor system is not abnormal. A product that is hygroscopic and reacts to its ever-changing environment will likely move around throughout its service life and develop some sort of squeak, crackle, or pop. It is part of living with a natural, organic product. All wood floors make noises (or eventually will).
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