Can I use glue to hold down Masonite underlayment to a subfloor instead of nails?

[wpatters1229]

I have the subfloor which is tongue and groove boards and I want to place Masonite over the top for peel-and-stick tiles. Can I use construction adhesive instead of nails to hold down the Masonite?

[JacobZ]

Hi @wpatters1229,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

While you can use construction adhesive to help secure Masonite underlayment to your subfloor, it is not recommended to rely solely on adhesive. Mechanical fixings are still necessary for long-term stability, especially in this type of flooring application.

Tongue-and-groove subfloors and Masonite both expand and contract slightly with temperature and humidity changes. Nails or screws allow the Masonite to be held firmly while accommodating these natural movements, preventing buckling. Adhesives may not provide sufficient hold against this movement over time, leading to potential gaps or unevenness.

I'd suggest using a combination of SikaBond Timber Flooring Adhesive and ring shank nails or flooring staples to secure your masonite underlay in place.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob