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RazrRebel
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 09:41am
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Hey everybody. I'm new here and, first of all I love this site. I have 30 acres in Southwest Va. and, my wife, kids and I are going to build a cabin this summer. My main question is the subfloor. I'm going to have 2 X 6 floor joists, 16" on center. I was wondering to get it covered quick could I use 23/32 OSB and then go back later with plywood. I know the OSB is not exactly weatherproof. The thing is cost the plywood is 30.00 a sheet, and the OSB is 13.00 a sheet. The important thing is I have a 4 day weekend in April to start. I think I can get the floor done in 4 days , but it may be another month till I can start the walls. Would you recommend using OSB, and just try to cover it up, or paint it or something till I can get it in the dry.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 09:47am
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welcome to the forum....
I used this till I got it dried in...no problems getting wet
The Advantech 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Tongue-and-Groove Aspen OSB Underlayment Panel is engineered for strength, moisture resistance and stiffness, resulting in a firm and quiet floor. The tongue-and-groove construction is self-spacing. It can be painted if desired.
California residents: see Proposition 65 information
•Made from Aspen
•Engineered for strength, moisture resistance and stiffness
•Self-spacing tongue-and-groove construction
•3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft.
•Paintable
sold at home depot
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 10:37am
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Raz, what is the length of those joist? A 2X8 at 16" OC is good for up to 12 feet. What is the cabin dimensions? The 2X6 can work, but may need extra support(s) if the run is too long. Make sure you glue and nail that floor unless you want squeaks. In a cabin, squeaks can be part of the old rustic feeling. 
Welcome to the forum, we have some enginner types, ie Mt Dont and the other Don. They can give you better specifics than I. Great place, loads of good info, all very freindly. 
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Ruggles
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 10:48am
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Don't know what is the right way, but I used 7/16 OSB to cover the joists and then the tongue and groove subfloor on top of that alternating the seams. Lots of screws. Has worked for us. Have fun with the build. It can be a blast.
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RazrRebel
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 03:45pm
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The floor joist will be 12'. There will be extra supports across the span. I thought of something earlier that I think will work. Build a fake wall in the center of the floor. Something about 4' or so. Just a frame. Then tarp it, like this the rain will run off and not collect. What you guys think?
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 04:09pm
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imo use weather resistant chip or real plywood and drill a few holes in it to let the water drip through . Will be ok for 6 months .
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Salty Craig
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2015 06:29pm
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RazrRebel
Hi and welcome. I'm also a Virginian. Quite a few here actually. My subfloor is Advantec. Turkey Hunter is a man of wisdom. I painted the underside of mine with latex for one more layer of protection. IMHO, Advantec is the best choice painted or not! Welcome aboard and good luck.
Salty Craig
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rayyy
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2015 06:48am - Edited by: rayyy
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I recommend going with Advantec also.Yes,pricey but you nail it on and your done.It's designed to handle being wet once in a while.It's good strong and solid too.I used standard OSB out in my barn but it hasn't held up to well at all.
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Bret
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2015 07:09pm
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Advantec YES! Please use construction adhesive and screws. It will handle months of exposure wth no damage.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2015 07:47pm
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Quoting: RazrRebel Build a fake wall in the center of the floor. Something about 4' or so. Just a frame. Then tarp it, like this the rain will run off and not collect. What you guys think?
This is not a bad idea as it will keep the water & debris (leaves and whatnot) off the platform. You know the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure".
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Don_P
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2015 11:48pm
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I agree with the advice to use advantek, I've been using it for over a decade and have yet to lose a sheet. I'm also in SW VA, do pull a permit before you start, we are rural but pretty regulated. One thing I see so many DIY's do is build over an overly extended period. I do have the luxury of building for others and being able to be there every day. Once we start working in wood I call it "running for the roof". We start and do not take a break until the roof is under cover. Anything you can do along those lines is going to be better for the building. Personal reasons why this doesn't work for you does not change the basic laws of nature, once you start the clock is ticking, run hard until it is dried in.
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RazrRebel
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2015 09:47am
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We won't need a permit. Where the cabin will be is on the top of the mountain. No electricity or water. No roads either. I will be hauling everything up the mountain on a special made trailer behind my 900 Ranger. I know alot of people are rural, but we are more than most. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the top if the weathers not bad. I can't find the Advantek on Lowes website. I'll probably just use the regular and make sure to keep it covered well. I'll post pics in a build thread when I start. Oh yeah, I'm not a carpenter either, just one of those guys that does everything his self cause he can't afford to pay somebody else.
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Bret
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2015 12:13pm
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Look on Huber Engineered Woods. AdvanTech is their product. Just searched the Roanoke, VA area and there are nine places to buy. Should be one near you. Lowes doesn't show it on their website. 84 Lumber seem to have it. It is worth it to use, whatever the price difference.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2015 12:15pm
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I'd leave the subfloor ply or OSB off until you can wall and roof. It's fast and easy to put the ply on then. The joists will not suffer if exposed for just a few months. Use galv fasteners to avoid stain from the rain.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2015 01:10pm
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Quoting: bldginsp I'd leave the subfloor ply or OSB off until you can wall and roof.
If you mean to lay down the sub floor after the walls are up there is at least one problem with that. The subfloor is nailed to the rim joists as well as the floor joists. That helps to tie the floor assembly together, helps connect the rims to the balance of the floor. Not to mention the sheathed floor makes a nice work surface to assemble the walls before lifting then into place.
As Don_P said; building is a race of sorts once a wood floor is started. With some thinking about how things will go together, floor to roof, and having all materials on hand before you start a small cabin shell can be dried in in a week, even by yourself or with only one helper. We did it.
Take a week or so vacation and get that much done quickly. We could not find Advantech locally either when we built, so it was mandatory to get dried in fast as possible. I had the time off.
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GreatOutdoors
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2015 06:52pm
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I had a question about this as well.
I'm looking to start my build this year. I'm trying to estimate how much I can get done in one week this spring.
I'm planning on having an outhouse pre-built (in panels) and installing the outhouse in a day or two. Then I'd like to install my piers, beams, and joists before the end of the week.
I had thought about stopping after I get the beams & Joists hung - but if I had time I might try to install the subfloor. I'm not using OSB - more than likely some kind of treated plywood.
Here's the tricky part - I won't be able to go back to the property for about 3 months. If I go ahead & install my subfloor - will a tarp protect it well enough for 3 months? Tarp + Advantech (if I can find it)?
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2015 07:26pm
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How big a cabin are you planning ? Where and what climate are you in ?? If a temporary tarp roof collapsed and trapped water under it it could be worse than leaving it open to the weather ??
Could you leave the floor on a bit of a slant over the summer?????
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RazrRebel
Member
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# Posted: 7 Apr 2015 06:07am
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No advantek close by. I'll have to do my best. I think I'll be able to keep it dry. I'm close enough to check on it daily. I'll have a four day weekend in May and June to work on it. Going to try to have it dried in by mid July. Then I can take my time to finish. I'm going to start my trailer mods this weekend to be able to haul my lumber. That's my wife in the pic. we had a great day with the kids working and clearing brush!
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