Although building a strong and long-lasting floor may seem like a difficult task, anyone can do it with plywood and logs. This approach is a fantastic option for do-it-yourselfers because it is simple and reasonably priced.
The foundation is made of logs, which give the plywood sheets a sturdy surface. For homes, workshops, or any other space that requires a solid floor, this combination provides a sturdy, level surface. To make a level, smooth floor, the logs must first be laid and secured before the plywood is fastened.
You can turn an empty room into a finished, functional floor with the correct supplies and a little perseverance. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the entire process, guaranteeing that you will have a floor that is durable and useful in the end.
Steps | Tools/Materials Needed |
Measure and mark the area for plywood flooring | Measuring tape, pencil, chalk line |
Install the floor joists (logs) evenly | Wooden beams, spirit level, screws, drill |
Lay down plywood sheets on the logs | Plywood sheets, screws, screwdriver |
Secure the plywood to the logs | Screws, screwdriver |
Fill in gaps and seams with wood filler | Wood filler, putty knife |
- What kind of plywood is used for flooring on logs?
- Type
- Grade
- Thickness
- Size
- Calculation of material
- Installation technology
- Preparation of the base
- Creation of the lathing
- Laying insulation
- Fastening the plywood
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What kind of plywood is used for flooring on logs?
With so many variations available, multilayer veneer sheets let you select the ideal option for a given circumstance.
Type
The kind of glue that is used to separate the sheets gives the material its distinct characteristics.
- FBA. Based on albumin-casein composition. This option is environmentally friendly, suitable for children"s rooms and bedrooms. The slabs have low resistance to high humidity, so careful waterproofing of the floors is necessary, which is especially important for the first floor of an apartment building.
- FC. Urea solutions are used to glue such panels. The material has average moisture resistance, which allows plywood to be laid on joists in the living room, bedroom and hallway.
- FSF. It is made on the basis of phenol-formaldehyde resins. High moisture resistance parameters make the material an ideal solution for bathrooms, kitchens, attic rooms and closed loggias.
- FOB. Faced FSF boards with a laminated coating are suitable for all types of rooms.
Other varieties are unique, pricy, and reserved for certain situations.
Grade
There are five plywood quality classifications. Since Elite is not utilized for flooring installation, one of the following options is chosen for the task:
- I grade. Has minimal damage and defects that do not affect the appearance of the coating. Suitable for installation on logs and forming a finished surface in all rooms of the house.
- II grade. The boards can be used to create a decorative coating that requires additional processing. For this, existing cracks are sealed with a special putty or sawdust with PVA glue.
- III and IV grades. Sheets of lower quality, preferable for subfloors. It is recommended to lay the products exclusively on the sheathing, since pulling with self-tapping screws ensures the leveling of possible curvatures of multilayer panels.
It is noted that extra caution should be used when selecting the fourth quality group material because some producers only make goods fit for making disposable containers for transportation.
Guidance! To save money, use boards marked 2/4. Based on the numbers, there are two sides to the product: one for the second grade and one for the fourth.
Thickness
The features of the work and the separation between the logs must be considered in order to determine the ideal value:
- If it is necessary to lay timber in increments of 35–40 cm, then the thickness of the plywood should be at least 9 mm.
- The lathing with gaps between segments of 50 cm is covered with slabs 10 mm thick. It is important that the material has high strength.
- If the distance between the logs is 60 cm, then the sheet thickness must be at least 12 mm.
Table: Plywood thickness as a function of rafter pitch
There is also consideration for the anticipated effect on the surface. The ideal thickness to use when arranging large furniture and equipment in a space is 18 mm. Two layers are permitted in place of one in order to spread the load and save costs.
Size
Placing plywood in small pieces is advised; 1525 x 1525 mm is the ideal size. 1210 x 2440 mm products are also well-liked. These measurements are standard for various materials, such as laminated goods, which are typically only lightly cut.
You must consider the overall amount of consumption and effort required when selecting the optimal choice. There will be leftover pieces when cutting large-format products, particularly when working in cramped areas.
Calculation of material
You must adhere to the detailed instructions below in order to accurately calculate the quantity of products:
- The floor surface is measured, all data is transferred to paper. You should get a detailed diagram of the base with the log laying system. This allows you to immediately calculate the order of placement and adjustment of all parts, which is especially important in rooms with protrusions and niches.
- The appropriate sheet size is determined, a layout plan is drawn up.
- According to the data obtained, the required number of slabs is calculated.
It will be simpler to calculate the consumption in a regularly shaped room by dividing the data in square meters and converting the object’s size and the sheet’s dimensions into an area.
Note: To assist you with this task, you can refer to the table provided by the manufacturer, which contains the exact sheet area.
Installation technology
When applying multilayer material to logs by hand, there is a specific order that must be followed.
Preparation of the base
- The surface is cleaned of all unnecessary. If there are remnants of the old coating, complete dismantling is carried out.
- Cracks and crevices are sealed with putty.
- Antiseptic treatment is carried out, the base is thoroughly dried.
- Waterproofing of the surface is carried out. This can be done using a special covering material or thick polyethylene film. If the product sheets are joined, then the overlap distance is at least 10 cm. It is necessary to lay the edges of the waterproofing on the walls.
Additionally, a wooden beam is prepared by thoroughly drying it after being impregnated with an antiseptic and fire retardant.
Creation of the lathing
In what order should the logs be set?
- The parts are cut to size. It is taken into account that wooden fragments should be located with an indentation from the walls of at least 15 mm.
- The height is formed. For this, the greatest curvature of the floor is determined.
- To speed up the work, a cord is pulled along both sides of the room. An alternative solution is to use a laser level.
- Laying starts from the edge with a gap of 10-15 cm from the wall. A substrate (pieces of plywood or board) with a sufficient support area is placed under the exposed beam. Alignment parts are attached directly to the base. If possible and skilled, a special bolt system is used for the work.
- The step is selected individually from 35 to 70 cm. It is recommended to adhere to the rule: there should be three joists per sheet 1525 mm wide and 10-12 mm thick. The beam is attached to the substrate with screws, jumpers are used for additional reinforcement.
- All parts are checked by level, a single plane should be obtained.
It is considered that only on the joists are the inner edges of the slabs closed.
Laying insulation
Insulation is particularly important for private and apartment buildings’ first floors. Stone wool or foam plastic are bought for the procedure. The substance is arranged in cells. After being unpacked, the goods are stored inside for a minimum of one day. In order to ensure a tight fit between the slabs or strips and the joists, a 1 centimeter reserve is sufficient. A space between the material and the cladding is created in the cells.
Fastening the plywood
The process of DIY slab laying is done using the following algorithm:
- Before installation, the material is cut according to the drawn up scheme. It is recommended to form square parts.
- Laying of plywood elements begins from the selected corner, a 10 mm indentation from the walls is required.
- To secure the fragments, self-tapping screws are used, the step is from 15 to 20 cm, but at least 7-8 pieces should fall on one part. The caps are recessed flush. This is not always easy to do, so the holes are pre-countersunk.
- The next row is creeping with a displacement. The layout of the panels is made in a checkerboard pattern, the interval between adjacent elements is 3-4 mm.
In the case of a two-layered genital surface, the slabs are perpendicular to one another and lack obtrusive joints.
Finishing a plywood flooring DIY project on logs is a useful and gratifying way to improve your house. You can make a floor that is both beautiful and long-lasting, adding to the warmth and character of any space with the correct equipment and a little perseverance.
Paying close attention to details is essential at every stage of the process, particularly when leveling the logs and securing the plywood. By following these steps, you can reduce creaks and gaps and prolong the longevity of your floor by keeping it smooth and strong.
In addition to saving money on labor, doing the work yourself gives you the expertise and self-assurance you need to take on additional home renovation projects. Because it was constructed by you, the end product is a floor in which you can be proud.
Plywood flooring installed on logs is an easy and efficient way to make a smooth, long-lasting surface suitable for any kind of finish. This technique allows for improved soundproofing and insulation in addition to stability. Anyone can accomplish professional-looking results by following a few easy steps, making it a project that is accessible for do-it-yourself enthusiasts who want to improve their homes.