Flooring – When installing two layers of subfloor, is it okay to secure both layers to joists

floorjoistslaminate-floorsubfloorvinyl-flooring

I am in the middle of replacing my subfloor. The old subfloor was two layers, each about 1/2 inch thick, totaling 1 inch.

1-1/8 inch OSB is pretty much out of stock everywhere at the moment so I'm thinking of putting two layers back in. 19/32 + 7/16 = .578 actual + .4375 actual = 1.0155 actual.

I will be installing LVP or laminate as the floor. Is it okay to secure both layers of subfloor to the joists if there wont be tile going on top?

If that is not okay, how would you go about securing the second layer of subfloor to the first?

Thanks!

Best Answer

That's the usual approach. Almost no one puts down double-thick subfloor in residential applications (for cost and handling reasons), and both layers need to be fastened to joists. Only thin underlayment can be fastened just to the subfloor.

I'm not sure what your question about tile means. Subfloor can and should be fastened to joists regardless.

You can probably use a sparser fastener schedule on the first layer, then go whole-hog on the top layer. That would require adequate penetration into the joists, of course.