floor prep for second story floor

[Roothawg]

I am building a barndominum and I have the second story for storage and my shop office. When the framers did the rough in, they glued down tongue and groove 3/4" decking. There are a few spots where the gaps look excessive to me. I am worried that if I use VCT tile, they will eventually crack there. The reason we are considering VCT is this is a high traffic, greasy shoe area.

What is the norm? Do I need to put down a thin hardwood laminate covering the decking, prior to tiling to ensure that I have a nice smooth even surface? Or find a self leveling filler to pour in the cracks? I am afraid of expansion and contraction in these areas.

I have never built a house or owned a 2 story, so this is all new to me.

Thanks,

Root

 

[TurnipTruck]

Tile? I used 1/2” cement board stuck down with mastic and screws and mesh tape, then tiled.

 

[Roothawg]

This will be Vinyl tile. Think of old school house tile.

 

[tmp]

How big are the gaps and what’s the decking material? Assuming it’s OSB, the panels are gonna need a bit of expansion room, I probably wouldn’t fill them.

That said I think you’re on the right track with putting down some underlayment panels - here’s what Armstrong flooring requires for subfloors:

Armstrong Flooring Recommended Wood Subfloors & Underlayment Panels for the Installation of Resilient Flooring – Floor Expert

www.floorexpert.com

 

[Roothawg]

Thanks. I am looking into the underlayment sheeting.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Definitely use an underpayment. Thermal/moisture expansion of plywood and VCT are very different, the tiles will pop loose over time.