Should I Use Subfloor Adhesive?
Q: I’m laying down subfloor and everything I read says to use adhesive with the subfloor. Now, I don’t remember this from years past. Is this a new-fangled thing that completely blows…or should I consider doing this?
A: Nice, but not necessary. Call me lazy, call me cheap, but I think you can get by without subflooring adhesive.
I agree that subfloor adhesive is a cool little addition to your new floor. There are two main reasons why you might use subflooring adhesive: 1.) if you’re afraid of the floor squeaking; 2.) If you need an ultra-stiff floor for some special reason.
Gosh, what kind of “special reason”? You tell me. Is a piano room? Plan on installing a 1 ton floor safe? Is this your personal ballroom?
I really can’t imagine why you need to squirt subfloor adhesive–because that’s extra work for very little return, and we don’t like that.
Now, if I had hired a builder, I would damn well make sure they used subfloor adhesive.
Applying Subfloor Adhesive
- Squirting it on every joist in the central area of each subfloor sheet. Bead should be about 1/4″ thick.
- Calculate about 65-70 linear feet per subfloor adhesive tube.
- Squirting the adhesive on every “end joist” (where two subfloor sheets meet). But you’re saying, “How? Subfloor sheets are supposed to have a gap between them, and if I lay down the bead in the center of the joist, then I don’t get it.” Well, ignore the center of the joist, and instead lay down two beads where the edges of the subfloor will fall.
- If using tongue and groove plywood subfloor, squirt the subfloor adhesive in the grooves.
