FAQs
Aren't all subflooring and sheathing panels the same?
No, AdvanTech flooring and sheathing are one of the first structural panels to be backed with a 50-year limited warranty. Manufactured with advanced resin technology, which creates a highly moisture resistant, stronger panel, AdvanTech offers homebuyers a superior choice in structural panels.
What happens if I have a problem with my AdvanTech® flooring, sheathing or rim board?
AdvanTech flooring, sheathing and rim board come with a 50-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects, which means 50 years of peace of mind for you and your family.
Why are AdvanTech panels superior to plywood?
AdvanTech products are manufactured with advanced resin technology that creates products that are highly moisture resistant and are stronger than plywood. What does this mean to you? It means you will have a stronger stiffer floor.
What are AdvanTech panels?
AdvanTech flooring and sheathing is a type of structural panel that puts a world of advantages at your feet. AdvanTech products are engineered with higher strength and stiffness and greatly enhanced dimensional stability. State-of-the-art engineering results in a product with properties superior to PS2 plywood and a panel so stable, it does not require sanding due to moisture adsorption.
How are AdvanTech panels made?
AdvanTech Flooring and Sheathing panels are bonded with an advanced resin technology system. Wood strands are mixed with resin and wax and pressed under heat to produce the most stable engineered panel product available in the industry today.
Is plywood as strong as AdvanTech panels?
AdvanTech was designed to compete against commodity plywood in strength, stiffness and durability. Design capacities for AdvanTech VIP+ Performance® products are provided in the ICC-ES Evaluation Report ER-1785.
What is VIP+ Performance?
Manufacturers of engineered strand products who produce products with properties superior to those established under PS-2 can now identify those products in an ICC-ES Evaluation Service Report. Prior to this offering, manufacturers participated in the Voluntary Inspection Program (VIP+ Performance). VIP+ Performance, a certification awarded by TECO, was developed by the PFS Foundation to enable manufacturers of higher-quality engineered strand products to establish design capacities that exceed those of PS-2. Huber, the inaugural member of this program, began participating in the VIP+ Performance program in January 2000 and ended participation in 2007 with the culmination of the program by TECO.
Are AdvanTech panels approved by building codes?
AdvanTech sheathing panels are manufactured in conformance with PS2, Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels. AdvanTech sheathing panels are certified by TECO. All accredited products bear the stamp of a qualified inspection and testing agency, such as PFS or TECO. Panels certified to PS-2 are code accepted by the ICC-ES as provided in ER-5637. Panels may bear stamps certifying conformance to both PS2 and CAN/CSA-0325. CSA-0325 is a panel conformance standard maintained by the Canadian Standards Association. AdvanTech sheathing panels are certified to be in conformance with requirements for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/FHA) Use of Materials Bulletin #UM-40C within the stamp.
How should I fasten AdvanTech panels?
FLOORING INSTALLATION Glue with nails or screws should be used to insure greater floor stiffness. Gluing helps eliminate nail-popping and floor squeaks. Use only solvent-based or polyurethane adhesives which conforms to industry standards AFG-01, and follow manufacturer's recommendations. Before each panel is placed, a line of adhesive should be applied to the top of the joist. A min. 1/4" bead of glue is recommended. Fasteners should penetrate framing members at least 1". Apply fasteners 3/8" from panel edges. Space fasteners 6" o.c. on supported edges (4' ends) and 12" o.c. at intermediate support locations. Insure that all corners are securely fastened. Note: 1-1/8" panels spaced 48" o.c. should be fastened 6" o.c. at intermediate support locations. Use 8d ring shank nails or screw shank nails for panels 3/4" thick or less, and 10d ring shank nails or screw shank nails for thicker panels. SHEATHING INSTALLATION Use minimum 6d common nails for panels 1/2" or less. Use minimum 8d common nails for panels 5/8" to 1". Other code approved fasteners may be used when roof construction does not need to meet diaphragm or shearwall strength criteria complying with HUD/FHA UM 25d. Apply fasteners 3/8" from panel edges. Space fasteners 6" o.c. along supported edges, 12" o.c. at intermediate supports. Ensure that all corners are securely fastened. For 48" o.c., all fastener spacing should be 6" o.c. Check local code provisions for high wind areas. Note: AdvanTech sheathing is not recommended for residential siding.
Can I leave AdvanTech panels exposed to the weather?
AdvanTech panels are bonded with a resin system that greatly increases their durability when exposed to weather during construction delays under Exposure 1. However, the panels are not intended for permanent exposure to the weather. AdvanTech, like most other wood products, is susceptible to decay if exposed to long term high moisture conditions. Proper conditioning or ventilation of crawl and attic spaces, as well as correct installation of roof and wall coverings and application of flashing and caulking, will minimize problems due to excessive moisture.
Can I paint AdvanTech panels?
AdvanTech panels can be left natural, stained, varnished or painted with oil or epoxy based paints or oil based primer and latex paint. Water seal is not recommended. AdvanTech panels are not recommended for exterior siding or other applications that are permanently exposed to the weather.
How do I put AdvanTech flooring on the poured concrete floor in my basement?
There are two methods used to attach AdvanTech panels to concrete slabs. Both methods require the preparation of the slab. Slab Preparation Cover the slab with minimum 4 mil (6 mil preferred) polyethylene sheeting. The polyethylene sheet should be glued to the slab with an adhesive that will bond to both concrete and plastic. All joints in the polyethylene sheeting should be lapped a minimum 4". These laps should also be glued to ensure an adequate moisture seal. The plastic should extend up sides of the walls a few inches. Once the AdvanTech sheathing is installed, the excess plastic can be trimmed flush. Method 1 - Application direct to slab • It is recommended that a square edge panel be used for this method. • After preparing the slab as described above, place panels directly on polyethylene sheeting. • Space panels 1/8" at edges and ends. • Fasten panels with masonry nails, concrete fasteners or powder-actuated fasteners. • Place fasteners 3/8" from panel edges. • Space fasteners 6" o.c. at panel edges and 8" o.c. in the field. • Method 2 - Application to a joist system • It is recommended that a T and G panel be used for this method. • After preparing the slab as described above, install a joist system with 2x4's put on edge. Include rim joists to tie the framing together. The recommended joist spacing is 16" o.c. • Lay panels on joist system with long dimension across joists. All panels should cover at least 3 joists. • Space panels 1/8" at 4-foot ends. The T and G edge is self spacing. Use a minimum 8d ring-shank or spiral shank nail. • Place fasteners 3/8" from panel edges. • Space fasteners 6" o.c. at panel edges and 12" o.c. at intermediate supports.
Do I need to use panel clips on my roof sheathing?
In order for the maximum span rating to be used for sheathing panels 3/8" thick and 15/32" thick and thicker, edge support must be used for unsupported edges. Edge support includes T and G edges, panel clips or lumber blocking. If panel clips are used for edge support, one between each support is sufficient. If supports are at 48" o.c., then 2 clips between supports are needed. Some, but not all panel clips have out-dents to provide the recommended 1/8" gap at edges. Although panel clips are not always needed, some code jurisdictions require their use. Check with the local building department in your area for any panel clip requirements.
Why is AdvanTech flooring better?
AdvanTech flooring has several key benefits for both the architect and builder: Water resistant Fastening Guide installation marks for easy installation AdvanTech VIP+ Performance is the first structural-use panel with proprietary design capacities, which are superior to the design capacities of commodity PS-2 panels No sanding or delamination due to moisture. Guaranteed. 50-year limited warranty Consistent strength and stiffness Lies flat for fast, labor-efficient installation
What are some of the benefits of VIP+ Performance?
For years, builders have had choices in dimensional lumber quality via grades – SS, #1, #2. Now, architects and builders have choices in panel products. AdvanTech VIP+ Performance outperforms plywood (PS-2) and OSB (PS-2) in bending strength. Bending Strength=FbS OSB PS2 = 770 AdvanTech VIP+ Performance = 1300 or 41% higher bending strength.
Does AdvanTech flooring have any environmental benefits?
AdvanTech flooring is manufactured to be environmentally friendly. We utilize small, fast-growing tree species and use the process waste to fuel our facilities. In addition, we have implemented the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program throughout all our wood procurement operations. The program incorporates company-wide procedures and policies that meet or exceed SFI performance measures for wood procurement and timber harvesting activities.
What makes AdvanTech rim board better for architects and builders?
AdvanTech rim board includes AdvanTech technology. Additionally: 12-foot and 16-foot lengths are standard 12-foot to 20-foot lengths available 1-1/8” thickness available Manufactured to match the depths of I-joist framing members
There are loose strands on some panels. Is this a problem?
Although rare, sometimes a few strands do not get fully coated with resin during the blending process. Since there is little resin holding the strand to the board, exposure to moisture or some other external influence will cause the strand to release. This normally affects the surface of the panel and rarely extends into the board deeper than one or two strands. Loose strands may require some additional sanding and possibly filling prior to finish floor application, but is so minor that it will generally not affect the strength of the product.
Can I install commercial vinyl tile on AdvanTech flooring?
Huber recommends a minimum 1/4" plywood underlayment be used under commercial vinyl tile. Due to the wide variety of tile and adhesives available, it is best to consult with those manufacturers for installation recommendations.
Can I put lightweight concrete on AdvanTech flooring?
The high strength and stiffness make AdvanTech an outstanding choice as a substrate for lightweight concrete and gypsum concrete floors. When installing AdvanTech for this type of application, ensure that panels are installed with long dimension perpendicular to supports and that panels cover at least 3 supports. A moisture barrier may need to be installed over AdvanTech panels prior to application of concrete. Check with concrete manufacturer for their installation recommendations.
Can I install ceramic tile on AdvanTech flooring?
In general, joists should not exceed 16" o.c. and panels should be applied with long dimension perpendicular to joists. Panels should cover at least three supports to ensure maximum strength and stiffness. Normally, installers will apply a 15/32" plywood underlayment or a 1/2" cement backer board over the AdvanTech subfloor which act as a substrate for the tile and also increase the stiffness of the floor system. Contact the Tile Council of North America for more information on ceramic tile installation. See Tech Tip for additional information.
Is it ok to install hardwood flooring on AdvanTech flooring?
AdvanTech flooring makes an excellent choice as a substrate for hardwood floors. The concern with hardwood floors is the ability of the substrate to hold flooring nails sufficiently. To identify the nail holding ability of AdvanTech, Huber commissioned an independent study with Virginia Tech's Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. The results were AdvanTech has superior nail holding when compared to commodity OSB and equal to or better nail holding then Southern Yellow Pine plywood. Please refer to flooring manufacturer's installation instructions.
Can I install sheet vinyl on AdvanTech flooring?
A minimum 1/4" plywood underlayment is recommended for installing sheet vinyl over AdvanTech. Follow vinyl flooring manufacturer instructions.
Why is my vinyl floor discoloring?
There can be many causes of discoloration of vinyl floors. Extraneous materials on the subfloor such as oils, inks and solvents have been known to cause stains in vinyl flooring. Adhesives used to glue floor decking to joists and also used in tongue and groove joints can also lead to vinyl staining. High moisture conditions, usually resulting from inadequate crawl space ventilation, may also lead to staining of vinyl flooring. To help minimize discoloration, follow vinyl manufacturers recommendations and provide sufficient ventilation in crawl space areas.
I just installed a floor and it's now raining heavily. What's going to happen?
AdvanTech panels are manufactured with a highly moisture resistant resin and are guaranteed not to require sanding due to moisture adsorption. With other OSB commodity products, a certain about of edge swelling can be expected when subject to direct exposure to moisture. Once the structure is enclosed and the panels are acclimated, any joints that have swollen can be sanded to provide a smooth surface for the finish floor covering. The Huber Engineered Woods warranty, no sanding due to moisture guarantee is for 300 days after installation. See warranty for details.
Can a tongue and groove floor panel be used for a roof application?
A common misconception is T and G flooring panels (Floor Span) cannot be used for roofing applications. Table 2 in ER-5637 NER-133 lists allowable live loads for Floor Span panels used for roofing applications. It should be noted that sheathing panels (Sheathing Span) used for roofing applications have different design capacities than Floor Span panels. Note: Flooring panels are sanded and may not provide adequate slip resistance.
Should I use a construction adhesive on my floor decking?
Using a construction adhesive on floor joists as well as at T and G joints will help increase the stiffness of a floor system. It will also help eliminate floor squeaks and nail popping. For Huber products, a solvent or polyurethane based construction adhesive should be used. To prevent skinning of the adhesive prior to attachment of the panel, only enough adhesive should be spread for one or two panels. A quarter inch bead of adhesive should be applied to all joist surfaces. For wide surfaces, use a double bead or a serpentine pattern.
