IronPly ® Plywood FAQs

We are pleased to bring you the following IronPly® plywood underlayment related frequently asked questions. Still have a question not answered? Reach out to us here. 

IronPly® plywood underlayment panels are warranted as plywood underlayment for sheet vinyl, vinyl composite tile (VCT), luxury vinyl tile (LVT), luxury vinyl planks (LVP), ceramic tile, carpet, engineered flooring, cork floors, and wood floors. Please see our IronPly plywood underlayment Warranty for full details.

IronPly® plywood underlayment panels should acclimate 24 to 48 hours in a climate controlled home environment of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yes. Per our installation instructions, please note you can only install over one existing floor.  However, make certain the existing floor is a sound, level, clean, and solid structure before putting another floor on top.

The Flex and Look Test is a simple but important procedure that only takes a few seconds and should be applied to any plywood underlayment panels prior to installation. Flexing the panel will help to reveal any delamination or core imperfections. Panels with these defects should be replaced prior to use.

Yes.  If a self-leveler is needed, it should never be applied on top of the IronPly® plywood underlayment panels.  Apply self-leveler to the structural subfloor or existing floor prior to the installation of the IronPly® plywood underlayment.

No. Never attach, glue, or adhere the IronPly® plywood underlayment panels to the subfloor with any type of adhesive. Gluing plywood underlayment panels to the subfloor can cause problems such as a tack and release floor that crackles when you walk across it. In addition, gluing the underlayment panels to your structural subfloor will eliminate the opportunity to remove the underlayment for a future floor replacement. We do not warrant our underlayment panels that have been glued to the subfloor.

No. Do not glue IronPly® plywood underlayment panels to a concrete substrate. Gluing plywood underlayment panels to concrete can cause problems such as a tack and release floor that crackles when you walk across it. We do not warrant our underlayment panels that have been installed over a concrete substrate in this manner.

IronPly® plywood underlayment can be used under ceramic tile.

The label side goes down to the structural subfloor. The faces of the IronPly® plywood underlayment panels have a fastener pattern that is designed to go up.

Yes, you must put a staple or screw in every “X”. The minimum spacing requirement is every 4” on center in the body of the panel and every 2” along the panel perimeter to properly secure IronPly® panels to the subfloor. This will eliminate potential flooring issues resulting from insufficient and incorrect fastener placement. In order to remain within the terms of the IronPly® warranty, follow the specific installation instructions available at www.IronPly.com.     

Yes, you can use galvanized coated flathead wood screws. Do not use drywall screws. Make sure the screw selected has a minimum 3/16” diameter head. The screw you choose should not penetrate through the bottom of the subfloor. You must install a screw in every “x” (every 4” on center in the body and every 2” along the perimeter) on the face of the IronPly® panel.    

No. Our preferred method is to lightly butt the panels together for a patch-free installation. The second method is to leave an expansion joint, approximately the thickness of a nickel, between the panels and fill the seams with a Portland Cement-based seam filler. Please note you may leave an expansion joint without seam filler when the IronPly® plywood underlayment panels are installed under carpet, engineered floors, or wood floors. We strongly recommend you read our full instructions on using seam filler and how to prevent telegraphing seams in our IronPly® Premium Underlayment Installation Instructions or by watching our Plywood Underlayment Installation Video.

IronPly® panels are designed for interior and weather protected applications only.  They are not for direct exterior exposure.

No.  IronPly® plywood underlayment panels are made with exterior glue, but the panel is not made to Marine Grade plywood specifications.

Yes. All the wood veneers in IronPly® plywood underlayment come from plantations and sustainable sources. IronPly® plywood underlayment panels contain no tropical hardwoods or species from endangered forests. Go green with the Patriot Timber Family of Panel Products.

We have found the easiest method is to heat the label with a hairdryer prior to removal. If there is any residual adhesive, you can remove it using either Naphtha, Goo Gone®, mineral spirits or by lightly sanding the area.