Georgia-Pacific APA Engineered Wood Construction Guide - Floors User Manual
Page 9
Floor Construction
ENGINEERED WOOD CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
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FORM NO. E30V
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© 2011 APA – THE ENGINEERED WOOD ASSOCIATION
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The glue bond is so strong that floor and joists behave like integral T-beam units. Floor stiffness is increased apprecia-
bly over conventional construction, partic ularly when tongue-and-groove joints are glued. Gluing also helps eliminate
squeaks, floor vibration, bounce and nail-popping.
Field-glued floors go down quickly, even in cold weather, using ordinary construction materials and techniques. And
like many other panel assemblies that provide excellent sound control, the APA Glued Floor System is ideal for multi-
family construction. The large panels with glued tongue-and-groove joints reduce the number of cracks that can “leak”
airborne noise.
The system is normally built with Span Rated STURD-I-FLOOR panels (
), although double-layer floors are also
applicable. In both cases, STURD-I-FLOOR and subflooring panels should be installed continuous over two or
more spans with the long dimension or strength axis across supports.
Panels recommended for glued floor construction are tongue-and-groove APA RATED STURD-I-FLOOR for single-floor
construction and APA RATED SHEATHING for the subfloor when used with a separate underlayment layer or with
structural finish flooring. An additional layer of underlayment should be applied in areas to be finished with resilient
floor coverings, such as tile, linoleum, vinyl or fully adhered carpet. If plywood STURD-I-FLOOR with “sanded face” is
specified, the surface is suitable for direct application of resilient floor covering and an additional layer is not required.
If a “sanded face panel” is to be used, however, care must be taken during construction to prevent damage or roughening
of the sanded face. Exposure 1 or Exterior panels have suitable bond performance for applications subject to moisture
during or after construction, as in bathrooms and utility rooms.
Tongue-and-groove panels are highly recommended for single-floor construc tion. Before each panel is placed, a
line of glue is applied to the joists with a caulking gun. The panel tongue-and-groove joint should also be glued, although less
heavily to avoid squeeze-out. If square-edge panels are used, edges must be supported between joists with 2x4 blocking. Glue
panels to blocking to minimize squeaks. Blocking is not required under structural finish flooring, such as wood strip flooring,
or if a separate underlayment layer is installed.
Only adhesives conforming with
or Performance Specification AFG-01 developed by APA are recom-
mended for use with the Glued Floor System. A number of brands meeting this specifica tion are available from building
supply dealers. If OSB panels with sealed surfaces and edges are to be used, use only solvent-based glues; check
with panel manufacturer. Always follow the specific application recommendations of the glue manufacturer.
Application
For best results, follow these application procedures:
1. Snap a chalk line across joists 4 feet in from wall for panel edge alignment and as a boundary for spreading glue.
2. Spread only enough glue to lay one or two panels at a time or follow specific recommendations of glue manufac turer.
Wipe any mud, dirt or water from joists before gluing.
3. Lay first panel with tongue side to wall and nail in place. This protects the tongue of next panel from damage when
tapped into place with block and sledgehammer.
4. Apply a continuous line of glue (about 1/4-inch diameter) to framing members. Apply glue in a serpentine pattern
on wide areas.
5. Apply two lines of glue on joists where panel ends butt to assure proper gluing of each end.
6. After first row of panels is in place, spread glue in groove of one or two panels at a time before laying next row. Glue
line may be continuous or spaced, but avoid squeeze-out by applying a thinner line (1/8 inch) than on joists.
7. Tap second-row panels into place, using a block to protect groove edges.