How to Lay Plywood Flooring Panels

Plywood panels are the most widely used product to create subfloors. The subfloor creates a base over which to lay carpet, tile or wood flooring, and adds security to the floor. These plywood panels are nailed into the joists to create the subfloor. If a subfloor is not being installed or replaced, the plywood panels can be used as an underlayment or as the actual flooring. An underlayment is sandwiched between the floor and subfloor, and used to absorb any imperfections of the subfloor.

Measuring tape
8d cement nails or 1-3/8 to 1/4 inch crown staples
Hammer or variable speed drill with Philips bit, or staple gun and hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Pull up every nail from the current underlayment or joists to ensure the surface is smooth.
- 2
  Line the center of the first plywood panel in the center of the room. Lay the plywood so the grain is running at right angles to the joists.
- 3
  Stagger the placement of the other plywood panels outward from the center to prevent any four corners from meeting. This will add strength to the subfloor or underlayment.
- 4
  Cut the plywood panels with a wood saw, if necessary.
- 5
  Nail 8d cement nails every 6 inches to secure the panel into the joists using a hammer or electric drill. Allow a gap of 1/8 inch between the edge of the panel and the nail. If securing to a subfloor, secure it with 1-3/8 to 1/4 inch crown staples and a staple gun. Then pound down the staples down with a hammer

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