Avoid These LP Legacy^® Premium Sub-Flooring Installation Mistakes That Could Cause Lost Coverage Under the Limited Warranty

A quiet, solidly built home speaks volumes to its high-quality construction. Likewise creaks, squeaks and movement in the floors are not only frustrating for homeowners, they could be signs of improper installation that might not be covered under your sub-flooring limited warranty. We talked with LP Building Solutions leaders Kelly Harmon, OSB/EWP National Product Manager, and Jeff Jayne, OSB/EWP Process Product Development Manager, on sub-floor installation tips and the LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring warranty. 

Here’s what they advise for subfloor installation tips so you don’t have to worry about the subfloor warranty:

Use the proper amount of glue: For best results, don’t glue too far ahead. Work no more than one panel at a time. Apply a continuous line of glue, about ½˝ in diameter (for LP Legacy^® Premium Sub-Floor Adhesive). Use a serpentine pattern when applying to wide areas.

Glue Pro Tip: Be especially careful at the ends while you’re squeezing the trigger of the gun, especially as it releases and before it catches again, so that you continue with a steady stream of glue and are not missing any areas. “If you have bare spots, you won’t have a perfect connection where the LP^® SolidStart^® I-Joists and LP Legacy sub-flooring operate together,” says Harmon. “That’s where you potentially get some squeaks.” 

Avoid using “old” methods of installing new products: “There’s no longer a need to use a sledgehammer to beat the groove into the tongue. Overdriving the groove into the tongue could potentially create a squeak that would not be covered under warranty,” says Harmon. “The tip of the tongue should meet at the back of the groove.”

Tongue & Groove Pro Tip: Apply a narrow bead of glue into the groove before inserting the tongue to solidify that joint even more. “This is hard—because it’s not a habit—but it can provide the very best results and even greater homeowner satisfaction,” advises Jayne.

Use the right glue for the job: “Solvent-based adhesives have served the industry well, but the new LP Legacy Premium Sub-Floor Adhesive is premium-grade technology,” says Jayne.

LP Legacy^® Premium Sub-Floor Adhesive expands to create a tight seal in small gaps between panels and supports, protecting against squeaks. When used with LP Legacy sub-flooring assemblies, you can extend the Squeak-Free Lifetime* Limited Warranty to your homeowners.

Avoid improper fastener placement: Place all perimeter fasteners 3/8˝ back from the all panel edges and ensure all fasteners are uniform and driven on center. In the absence of project specifications, use this guide for placement:

• From corner panel: 3/8˝
• On-center along panel ends: 6˝
• On-center along center supports: 12˝

Refer to the minimum fastening schedule on page 3 of the LP Legacy Installation Instructions. “If there are not enough fasteners, you’ll experience more movement in the floor than what you’d like,” says Harmon.

Avoid installing first row improperly: The first row of floor sheathing must be aligned with a chalk line 4 feet from the edge of the building. “This is a common mistake,” says Harmon. “If you don’t start your first row nice and straight, you multiply alignment errors with each successive row.” 

Pro Tip: Watch builders Jordan Smith and Kyle Stumpenhorst install LP Legacy sub-flooring.

Safety Pro Tip: Harmon recommends getting an applicator gun with a 30-inch barrel. “When you’re stepping out on a joist on the second level, it’s tough to focus on applying glue while concentrating on not falling,” he says. “The 30-inch barrel lets you get four feet out without having to step onto the joists.”

“The goal of proper installation is to create a monolithic floor system,” says Jayne. “That means that all the components—supports, sub-flooring, adhesive and fasteners—act as one piece, maximizing support and minimizing the chance of moving parts and subsequent noise.” 

If you’re having floor movement, it may be time to switch to a premium sub-flooring and adhesive. When installed together, LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring and LP Legacy Adhesive offer a Squeak-Free Lifetime* Limited Warranty.

Want additional information on the durability of LP Legacy panels? Check out this Q&A about its extreme durability testing.

*For complete warranty details, visit lpcorp.com/warranties.