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It doesn't matter whether you start in the front or back of the house. For
best results, start where you have the longest run without a jog in or out in
the foundation.
After you have snapped your line, determine which joist the
first sheet of plywood will break. If the joists where laid out 16" o.c. (on
center) from the end of the building, the edge of the plywood would split the
joist at 8 feet. Sometimes the roof layout determines the floor joist layout.
This is usually the case when the roof is a hip roof. In this instance start
with the joist that will allow the plywood to cover all the joists, even if it
hangs over the edge of the first joist. This will be cut off later.
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After you have determined where to start, apply construction adhesive to the top
edge of the joists. Apply no more than 48" the width of the plywood. Lay the
first sheet in the glue with the groove edge on the chalk line. Holding the
sheet to the line, nail the leading edge of the plywood to the rim joist so it
splits the joist. You'll be covering 3/4 of an inch of the joist with 3/4"
exposed. Still holding the plywood to the chalk line, put a nail in the rim
joist at the first joist. Now put nails in the rim joist where the floor joists
are nailed into it. When nailing off the field these nails can be used as a
guide to find the joists. |
Now the groove edge can be nailed. On the leading edge, move the joist so the
edge of the plywood splits the joist. Once you have the joist where you want it,
nail the plywood to it. Now taking your tape measure, hook the leading edge of
the joist you just nailed, and pull it along the edge of the plywood. Mark 16"
centers on the plywood and pull the leading edge of the joists to this mark and
nail them. This will help keep the joists in line and will help make sure future
course of plywood break on 16" centers no matter which joist you start with.
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Glue up the joists for the next sheet. Butt the next sheet to the one previously
installed, making sure to hold it to the chalk line and nail the groove edge
corner. Nail it to the rim joist just like the first sheet. Once again move the
joist so the plywood splits it. Hook that joist with your tape, mark centers and
move the joists to the lines. Keep laying the plywood in this fashion to the
other end of the building.
Your now ready for the next course of plywood. If I've started with a full 96"
sheet on my first course, I like to start my second row with a 48" piece. This
works great if the building length is in increments of 4 feet (24',28',32',36'
etc.). This isn't always the case. If the building is an odd length you can
usually use your ending cutoff to start the next course. Stagger the joints a
minimum of 32" apart.
Start the next course by gluing the joists. Do not apply the glue more than 4'
beyond the first course of plywood. Stand the sheet on its tongue edge next to
the groove edge of the sheet you are standing on. Make sure its butt edge is
lined up on the joist it is breaking on and let it fall into the glue. As it
hits the glued up joists, step on it and try to pull it in with your foot. Only
under the right conditions will the tongue go completely into the groove.
Sometimes the sheet can be jumped into the groove. This involves standing on the
sheet and jump with force towards the the sheets in the previous row. In most
cases it takes a sledgehammer and a 4' to 6' 2x4 beater block to persuade the
sheets together. The block keeps the groove edge from getting damaged by the
sledge. This is a two person operation. One stands on the tongue edge of the
plywood to guide the sheet into the groove while the swings the sledgehammer.
This will be the process for the rest of the installation.
Once the piece is in place, nail off the tongue edge, making sure the leading
edge is breaking on a joist. Move the joist so the groove edge breaks on the
joist. Pull 16" centers from that joist, mark the plywood, move the joists if
necessary, and nail them off.
To keep the joists at the ends of the building straight, do not glue or nail
them. Ideally we'd like the plywood to be hanging over the ends. After all the
plywood is in place, snap a line from one corner to the other and cut this over
hanging plywood off. Move this joist to the cut edge to make it straight and
nail it off.
Tips:
- Field can be nailed as you go (recommended to set sheet in glue) or after all
plywood is in place.
- do not glue more than 4' out from sheet. Keeps glue off your tape when you
pull centers.
- When nailing groove edge, nail at least 2" from edge to keep from collapsing
groove.
- Before installing plywood, check for damaged grooves and tongues.
About the Author: Mike Merisko has been a carpenter for 26
years. Most of those years were spent in the homebuilding and remodeling
industries. He was also in business as a carpentry and general contractor.
http://www.sawkerfs.com/
Mike Merisko (c) 2006
How to Finance your Home Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Additional Framing and Carpentry Resources
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