Timber Link Blog

  New flooring rarely fails because of the finish — it fails because of what’s beneath it. Warping, cracking, squeaks and loose boards most often stem from inadequate sub-floor preparation. To help your hardwood, LVP or tile last longer (and stay covered by warranty), follow these essential prep steps before laying the first plank. Step 1: Remove Anything That Doesn’t Belong Strip out old linoleum, carpet padding, adhesive residue and any debris. Leftover materials stop new flooring from sitting flat and lead to future problems. For tough, stubborn layers, use a heavy-duty OLFA Scraper to quickly create a clean, stable base before installation.   Step 2: Stop Squeaks and Eliminate Movement A quiet, stable floor starts with a rock-solid sub-floor. Fasten any loose plywood or OSB to the joists to eliminate flex that causes squeaks and cracked finishes. Use an 18-gauge brad nailer (or screws where specified) to securely attach panels—this locks everything down and provid...

  Oriented strand board (OSB) is a common building material made from chipped wood. It is similar to chipboard or particle board but is made from bigger, coarser pieces of wood giving it increased strength and water resistance. OSB panels are lightweight and easy to handle and install. It is available in assorted sizes, grades and thickness and each is engineered for a specific use and performance level. In home construction, it is a common material for roof decking, wall sheathing and floor sheathing. It can also be used as a subfloor under wood or wood-look floors. This type of OSB usually has a tongue and groove edge. It should be noted that OSB is more flexible than plywood as a subfloor so should not be used under tile or stone floors that tend to be heavy. OSB will also swell at the cut edges significantly more than plywood when exposed to moisture. There are many opinions among flooring experts as to whether OSB or plywood makes a better subfloor. One of the b...