Author Topic: 2" T&G car decking (Read 8549 times)

mmhailey · « **on:** April 22, 2008, 10:09:21 am »

It seems most of the threads I searched used 3/4" or 4/4" T&G.

I am raising the floor in my garage and am thinking of using some 2X T&G material that I can get cut locally rather than 1" T&G plywood as my decking over my sleepers. My project will require me to actually use the floor as is without any other covering for upwards of a year, so I thought the hemlock T&G might look better than plywood. It might even be clear enough to finish and leave as the finished floor?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make them as squeak proof and tight as possible.

I was thinking of nailing through the groove, so the nails don't show and using adhesive, but am open for suggestions.

beenthere · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2008, 10:24:42 am »

Welcome to the Forum...

Can you give more information about the floor in your garage? What will be under the sleepers..?? soil, rock, concrete,..??

mmhailey · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2008, 11:31:24 pm »

The existing floor is concrete slab. The floor grade needs to be raised 14 inches, so I am using roughcut 2X12s on 24" centers with blocking as my sleepers. Then either 2X T&G or 1" T&G plywood with a 4/4 hemlock flooring.

Thanks

Radar67 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2008, 11:39:29 pm »

Welcome to the forum!!!

What is the purpose of raising the floor? Will it have a load on it?

mmhailey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2008, 09:16:35 am »

I'm sorry. I guess this topic, or actually the way I described it doesn't really fit with this forum. Although I have posted only twice I have been reading this forum for over a year. It has been extremely valuable in my planning for my timber framing. I certainly appreciate everyones expertise.

I am in the process of turning a stick built garage space into a eat in/kitchen, which will be attached to a timber frame addition to my house. The planning for the space is complete. I just need to know if anyone has experience using 2X car decking( which are 2X4 or 2X6 or even 2X8 T&G) as a subfloor or finished floor, and how did they attach it to the floor joists? I see by reading the archives that face nailing with cut nails is one option, but does anyone have experience with how much squeaking you get when the boards move with the humidity changes?

Thanks for any input?

beenthere · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2008, 09:48:54 am »

I'm thinking, it depends on what is going to happen in that 12" space between the flooring and the concrete garage floor. If it will be heated, then the flooring (decking) will dry out and may squeak. If that space is high in moisture, you may not get the squeaking but instead may get decay/mold/deterioration.

If you lay down adhesive on the stringers, and nail in the tongue, and the wood is dry when laid, and the space is heated for low humidity,...then you may not have any squeaking, or very little.

Not an easy call....as it depends on a few things.

mmhailey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:18:45 am »

The space below the floor... Hmmm!

Even though I was the builder of the original building, and poured the slap with moisture barrier underneath, I first I did the moisture check of the slab for a month. I taped 1 foot squares of plastic down to the slab to see if I got any moisture, which I did not. This was during a period of PLENTY of rain here. The next step just for my personality type, is I will put down 30lb. felt with mastic to prevent any future moisture problem.

Then the 2X12s go down with 2" rigid foam between the sleepers. I thought about using radiant heat, but for this application it doesn't make sense. The space will be heated traditionally. Then the plywood or 2X T&G

As far as the moisture content of the lumber. I plan stickering the material in the garage to dry for around 3-5 months prior to it being used.

SeeSaw · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:45:47 am »

I have done quite a few hardwood floors but nothing like you're talking about here. Beenthere has a good point. It will dry out and it may squeak. However, I can honestly say I've had very good luck and very few squeaks whenever I've faced nailed the boards. It seems to keep the board more stable and less apt to "rock" than just nailing through the tongue. However, then you have to figure out if you can deal with the looks of a face nailed floor. I like it others don't. You may be good with the glue and nailing through the tongue with a 2x4. Not sure I would try that with a 2x6 or 2x8. I think I would use glue as has already been suggested regardless of how the boards are nailed. Just my 2c.

ARKANSAWYER · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2008, 07:23:05 pm »

I T&G lots of 2x6's and 2x8's for floors out of SYP and find it best to use glue and face screw the boards down. There is lots more force to pull a nail back up over 4/4 stock.

Don P · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2008, 07:48:35 pm »

Thats a pretty common log home second floor. We've blind nailed or blind screwed if it was a finish floor. If it's a subfloor I've usually face nailed or screwed it. If you start with blind fasteners on a finish floor you can always come back with face fasteners later.

mmhailey · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2008, 10:19:53 am »

GREAT idea!!!

I think my plan will be to blind nail and glue. Then after it has been down a few months, should I decide to use it as a finish floor, I can add cut nails, and if I decide to cover it with 4/4 flooring, I'll shoot or screw it down first, then add the finish flooring.

What do you think?

ljmathias · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2008, 03:23:28 pm »

Hey, what's wrong with a floor that squeaks? I always thought that added character to a home- great for discussion of ghosts and such also. Do we sometimes get too anal-retentive on what is, afterall, just a stopping point on the great journey? Right now I have problems with the house I built and have lived in for almost ten years, but too many new and exciting things to do to worry about the details, till they become a real problem. Not the best pro-active approach, but I have grandsons to play with and wood to cut and miles to go before I sleep (to plagerize Robert Frost). How do we find the right balance between almost-perfection and usability anyway?

Lj

Don P · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2008, 08:34:46 pm »

Being of the male persuasion, if I'm dry, have a roof to keep the rain off and a fire, life is good. My opinion is of no importance though, when she's happy I'm happy.
A lighthearted way of saying it is whatever the client expects.
I married well, our floor squeeks

Dana · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2008, 07:02:58 am »

Will there be vehicles parked in the garage? The reason I ask is that they will be bringing in snow, ice and in the summer water. What will that do to your floor? I would expect swelling of the glued and screwed flooring.

Jim_Rogers · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2008, 08:56:37 am »

Quote from: Dana on April 25, 2008, 07:02:58 am

Will there be vehicles parked in the garage?

It's a kitchen.......

LeeB · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2008, 05:14:43 pm »

Don, does the floor squeak becauase you married good?

Clovis · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2008, 06:52:19 pm »

Lj and Don P; you boys speeka my language!

Clovis

ARKANSAWYER · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2008, 07:35:36 pm »

My floor squeaks because I married a good cook. It keeps people from sneeking up on me as well.

LeeB · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2008, 08:33:53 pm »

I kinda resemble that remark myself Arky even if Lindy couldn't cook when we got married. She learned quick though.

slowzuki · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2008, 04:17:01 pm »

Sorry to piggyback but I have a related question.

I'm putting a 2" floor into the loft of my place. Most people do t&g and thats it but I'm thinking the pinned floor I saw in a timber framed house once would be easier. They also had a splined floor using 1/2 plywood splines instead of t&g.

I only have a router to do the work and the lumber will be off my mill and 2 side planed.

My other option is 2" floor with a 1" floor at right angles above. I know this would be a squeaky floor but would match the local old fashioned construction techniques.

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Author Topic: 2" T&G car decking (Read 8549 times)