Installing Luan Panels Leave a 1/16 inch gap between the walls and the luan panel. Use a staple gun to insert 1/4-inch crown staples every 6 inches across the plane of the luan panel and every 2 inches along the edges. Install additional luan panels the same way, and leave a 1/16-inch expansion gap between panels.

Can I put Luan over plywood?

Installing 18mm Luan Plywood Underlayment for your vinyl or laminate flooring project. Install Luan plywood with staples to the subfloor plywood using 18mm or longer staples. You should staple every 18mm around the edges and every 20mm inches at the centre of the plywood boarding.

What is the best tool to cut Luan?

You should cut luan wood sheet using a handheld saw, by placing the plywood sheet face down, and then using a table saw through the sheet evenly. Once this has been completed, set the depth on your circular saw, and then there will be less chance of the plywood splintering when you are going through the material.

Can Luan be glued down?

Luan Type 2 with a water-resistant glue.

How do you attach a Luan to a subfloor?

Start in one corner of the room and lay a full sheet of luan perpendicular to the direction of the subfloor panels. Leave a 1/16 inch gap between the walls and the luan panel. Use a staple gun to insert 1/4-inch crown staples every 6 inches across the plane of the luan panel and every 2 inches along the edges.

How to install Luan underlayment

41 related questions found

Do you staple down underlayment?

There is no fastening the underlayment to the subfloor. ... If your choose this route, staples are a good choice to fasten the underlayment. Staples usually have a coating which help increase the holding power. Using a crown compression stapler, staple 2 inches on the seams and edges with 4-6 inches apart in the middle.

Can I use screws for Luan?

The easiest way to do this is to use screws that are the same length as the thickness of both layers, 1 1/4" in your case. Locating Screws for Luan Wood Projects: ... You want screws every 4-6" around the perimeter of the sheet, and every 6-8" in the field. Use deck screws, not drywall screws.

Which side of Luan goes down?

When installing lauan underlayment, make sure the smooth side is facing up and any nails or staples from installing the lauan are hammered down. This ensures an even surface for installation of the finished flooring.

How do you fasten Luan to ceiling?

Raise the luan plywood to the ceiling using a drywall. Install it perpendicular across the joists. Push it into the corner, tight against the wall. Shoot 1½-inch staples, spaced 12 inches apart, through the luan plywood into each joist and on the blocking if applicable.

Can Luan be cut with utility knife?

Cutting luan with a sharp utility knife, requires a steady head, strong wrists and good upper body strength. ... Ideally, luan might be cut with a utility knife or small circular saw.

What is the difference between Luan and plywood?

Luan or lauan is actually a type of plywood. It's made from tropical timber, often from the Shorea family. ... They make it from thin veneers of luan that are glued together to produce a soft plywood that has a very smooth surface. Unfortunately, demand grew for luan ply through the 70s and 80s.

What is the purpose of Luan?

Because it is strong but lightweight, luan wood is often used for interior doors, ceilings and walls as well as furniture backing and drawer bottoms. It also represents one of the most popular underlayment materials used under vinyl flooring.

Can you waterproof Luan?

Is luan plywood underlayment waterproof? I have found out that Luan Wood does not respond well to water exposure. It tends to warp and degrade the material. In fact, this is why you should only use Luan Wood as an underlayment for Vinyl or Laminate Flooring and not for Ceramic or Tile.

How do you level floors with Luan?

How to Prepare a Floor Surface With Luan for Vinyl Floor Covering

1. Sweep the floor to remove any dirt or debris. ...
2. Sand down high levels to the point of the surrounding subfloor using a floor sander. ...
3. Lay down a layer of luan boards over the surface of the floor. ...
4. Staple the boards in place using 7/16 crown staples.

How do you seal Luan?

Drywall Screws used to attach Luan Plywood should be used with wood glue to improve effectiveness. What you should do is also use some wood glue on the joints to ensure a solid seal.

How do I attach Luan to concrete?

When attaching Luan to Concrete Floors, is possible if you first overlay the concrete with a think material such as plywood, then use the Laun Material overtop of that. You should use fasteners to attach the thicker plywood pieces to the floor. The best option when using fasteners is to use nails or cememt nails.

What side of underlayment faces up?

If you are using rubber underlay, roll it out rubber side down with the paper facing up - if you're using polyurethane underlay, like the ones we supply, the printed side should face up.

How do you attach Luan to wood?

You can use adhesive with 1/8 inch to cover the area for the piece of luan underlayment. Install the luan wood with staples to the subfloor and underlayment. Ensure that the staples are flush with the underlayment. Then clear any splintered wood that remains.

What kind of nails do you use for underlayment?

Ring-shank and spiral-shank nails are the best fasteners for this application because they are grooved to increase friction and resist withdrawal.

Do you tape underlay together?

You should make sure that the underlay extends up the wall by at least 5 cm. ... On wooden and other types of floor lay the underlay with the rubber side down, and again tape the seams with an appropriate underlay tape. When fitting the underlay leave a 5-10mm gap around pipes.

How far apart do you nail underlayment?

FASTEN THE UNDERLAYMENT

Using each panel's printed nail pattern as a guide, nail or staple at 2-inch intervals along the edge of each panel at 4-inch intervals throughout the panel interior. Before fastening, place your full body weight on the panel being installed. All fasteners must be slightly countersunk.