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View Full Version : iLevel's Stucturwood sub-flooring



Chris Heuges
02-17-2009, 03:38 PM
I am having so much trouble with voids, de-lamination and swelling of our T&G plywood sub flooring that I am thinking of switching to Weyerhaueser's product. Does anyone have a 'review' of the 'Structurwood Edge' sub flooring?

A.D. Miller
02-18-2009, 05:31 AM
I am having so much trouble with voids, de-lamination and swelling of our T&G plywood sub flooring that I am thinking of switching to Weyerhaueser's product. Does anyone have a 'review' of the 'Structurwood Edge' sub flooring?

Chris: For the uninitiated the official take is here:

http://www.ilevel.com/literature/OSB-4000.pdf

My take is that it seems to be a good enough product. The one and ever present caveat is that it must be properly handled and installed. The problems I have seen with any sub floor product are nearly all related to improper storage, handling, and installation.

1. If you must store it on site, do it right. Put it on sleepers so that it lies flat, does not bow, and cover it so it does not get wet.

2. Install it according to the instructions. This means no pieces under 24" in width, staggered end joints, proper joist spacing, etc.

3. Use good adhesive, or to make JP happy, let us call it "elastomer-based extrudable mastic" (happy JP?). I like PL400, but others are just as good.

4. Use screws. After you stop howling and whining over the cost, you'll realize that it is cheaper to spend a little more up front than to service the inevitable callbacks due to squeaking floors. You can use ring shank nails if you want, but nothing works better than screws. And, either find installers who are properly trained, or cut a handle in a 2X4 and get out there and train them yourself.