GENERAL REQUIRMENTS

Like all quality wood products, Homasote 4-Way^® Floor Decking will expand and contract with changes in relative humidity. Dimensional changes amount to .25% with variation from 50% to 90% relative humidity.

Construction Site Storage - Protect Floor Decking, as any valuable building product, by storing on a dry platform under shelter. Keep wrapped in weather- capped shipping units until ready for use. If no shelter is available, stack units on skids 8'' above grade. Panels must be installed in a dry condition. Every effort should be taken to prevent water ponding on exposed Floor Decking.

Framing - Use cross bridging to secure floor joists. Solid bridging is not recommended. Ends of Floor Decking must bear on solid framing without breaks and at all points where framing changes direction. Wall and partition plates can be applied directly over Floor Decking, across floor joists. If partition parallels floor joists, adequate support framing must be installed under partition plate. For best results (stronger and more squeak-resistant) use nails and adhesive as described in the detailed glue-nail instructions.

INSTALLATION

Homasote 4-Way^® Floor Decking must be installed to accommodate expansion and contraction. In large area platforms, provide 1/2" gap for every 50' of length. Trim ends if necessary to assure support. Provide 1/2" gap at all abutting walls. Stagger end joints on alternate joists. Do not butt squared ends tightly, leave 1/8" gap. Snug all T & G edges together tightly.

Complete nailing of the panels within the glue manufacturer's specified time limit. All nails must be dimpled 1/16" below surface.
 

Glue-nail method - Apply continuous 3/8" beads of APA Approved Decking Adhesive to enough framing for one or two panels at a time. Apply two parallel beads to joists supporting butt joints. Apply a continuous bead into groove of Floor Decking T & G.

Position panel and drive three (for 2' wide panels) or five (for 4' wide panels) Homasote #3190 nails (3" long, 9 ga. annular thread with 3/8" head) into centers of each joist, starting at mid-panel and nailing out to ends. Keep nails back 3/4" from ends, toenailing if required.
 

FLOOR COVERING
APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Where a perfectly smooth, flat sub-floor surface is required, light touch sanding may be necessary because of irregularities in framing members.

In kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc., where tile or sheet covering will be applied, Floor Decking must be completely covered with 3/8" thick plywood of suitable underlayment grade before fixtures are mounted.

Resilient Tile - Apply 4' x 4' sheets of 3/8" plywood, as specified by the American Plywood Association, using APA Approved Decking Adhesive as directed. Joints should not coincide with Floor Decking joints. Apply one nail at each corner and center of panels. Tiles or sheet covering can then be installed according to manufacturer's instructions.

Ceramic Tile and Wood Parquet - Cement: Ceramic tile-apply a layer of 15 lb. felt, expanded wire lath, and cement mortar tile base to Floor Decking - in that order - per manufacturer's specifications. Mastic: Prefinished 12" x 12" wood parquet units or 9" x 9" ceramic tile units with a grid or backer material can be installed after applying a layer of 15 lb. felt to Floor Decking, then following the manufacturer's instructions. For individual wood parquet or ceramic tiles, install sheets of 3/8" plywood before application.

Carpeting-Apply separate pad and carpet to clean dry Floor Decking with tackless strips according to the carpet manufacturer's instructions. Additional underlayment is not required. Carpeting made with integral rubber pad backing or other integrated padding material may be applied only if tackless method is used. It should not be glued.

Strips shall be attached to the surface of the Floor Decking in the conventional manner and then additionally nailed, 8" o.c., with 1-3/8" annular threaded nails.