What Is A Structurwood Laminated Floor and Why Do I Need It?
A Structurewood Laminated floor is a two layer floating floor consisting of a bottom layer of "Structurwood/OSB" and a top layer of Particle Board, laminated together with Tite Coat. We have found that "Structurwood/OSB" is the most durable/moisture resistant choice for the bottom layer, but because of it's rough texture we have found that using particle board for our top layer provides a much smoother surface.
Recommended Uses:
We Recommend using a STRUCTURWOOD LAMINATED FLOOR when remodeling existing floors of asphalt, tile, hardwood or contaminated concrete; that for one reason or another is not fit for a direct application of TITE COAT coatings. We also recommend Structurwood over newly cured concrete that is uneven, poorly troweled, or with soft spots. So if you are planning to pour new concrete to be covered by a Tite Coat Floor Coating, please call us for specifications to make sure that your concrete will be poured correctly.
Advantages:
- Eliminates pouring a new concrete cap over existing old substraight, which would save waiting 30 to 60 days for concrete curing time.
- Eliminates expensive sandblasting, scarifying, acid etching and expensive fillers to prepare and level old concrete floors.
- Warmth of wood at a fraction of the cost of strip maple flooring.
- Takes the guess work out of coating directly over contaminated concrete or asphalt containing sealers, curing agents, oil, grease, or mastic which are next to impossible to remove.
Installation Of A Structurwood Laminated Floor:
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL
- Air Stapler or Nail Gun.
- Staples or Nails not to exceed the thickness of bottom and top boards combined. *NOTE* Adjust air gun to counter sink 1/8 inch.
- Compressor: 4-C FM or larger.
- Bondo body filler or it's equivalent.
- Orbital floor sander with 36 grit sand paper.
- 24" to 36" Squeegee.
- 36" Tite Coat application brush.
PROCEDURES FOR LAYING STRUCTURWOOD LAMINATED FLOORS
- Check square footage of floor to be covered.
- For bottom layer order enough dry 4 x 8 sheets to cover your measured area of 5/8 or 3/4 inch thick OSB/Structurwood. *NOTE* OSB/Structurwood can not be tongue and groove.
- For top layer order enough dry 4 x 8 sheets to cover your measured area of 5/8 or 3/4 inch thick Particle Board.
Example: Floor area 80 x 150 = 12,000 so. ft., 12,000/32 = 375 boards of each kind. It would be wise to order a few extra sheets for cut waste, etc. - Level and fill all uneven substrate with latex cement, asphalt, or other inexpensive material. Feather all filled edges, do not leave ridges or sharp edges, use a 12 to 16 foot straight edge to check for level.
- Sweep or vacuum clean.
- Lay 6 mil plastic sheeting over the level substrate. *Note* Overlap and tape seams.
- Lay first layer of structurwood/OSB.
- Tape seams of Structurwood/OSB.
- Next you have the gluing and laying of the top layer of Particle Board.
*NOTE* Plan layout of the second layer so that you DO NOT have two seams on top of each other.
Mix TITE COAT part "A" and part "B" only as needed and apply a generous coat (approx. 130 sq. ft. per gallon) with brush on the top side of the first layer of structurwood that has already been installed. Immediately lay second layer of 5/8 or 3/4 inch particle board onto wet TITE COAT and power staple or nail enough to flatten the top sheet firmly to the bottom sheet (approx. 40 staples per sheet). The reason for using TITE COAT as an inner-layer laminate is TITE COAT makes a strong, water resistant glue. Make sure to start on the 8 foot edge when power stapling. Do not leave a space on the seams of the particle board.
*Note* By getting TITE COAT on the edges as it is being layered will help glue seams together. Nailing the two layers together holds the upper and lower sheets in direct contact until TITE COAT dries.
Caution: Do not use staples or nails that are too long. This could extend through both layers and puncture the moisture barrier next to the concrete. Let dry 4 to 6 hours. - Check all staple or nail heads to make sure they are counter sunk slightly into the surface of the top board.
- Mix bondo body filler or its equivalent per instructions and with a 3 to 4 inch putty knife, fill all seams, chip-outs, and nail heads, making sure that you force the filler deep into all seams.
- Let filler dry.
- Sand all seams and spots where filler has been applied till smooth with an orbital floor sander using 36 grit sand paper.
- Cut 1 1/2 inch expansion joint around entire floor.
- Make sure the floor is vacuumed clean, and proceed with TITE COAT application. The squeegee method is very effective for the first seal coat. After squeegee coat you should have some lifting of the grain of particle board, let the first coat dry and lightly buff-sand the surface smooth. Vacuum clean and proceed with additional coats. TITE COAT recommends a minum of three brush coats, however, four is preferred.