Tyroc Subflooring welcomes comments and questions about flooring issues. Tyroc Subflooring was designed to solve flooring problems as most finished flooring issues begin with the subfloor or underlayment and the total installation system. Tyroc welcomes comments from professional flooring installers as well as do-it-yourselfer’s. Don’t hesitate to give us your feedback.
Hi,
Can I nail a new hardwood floor directly on top of Tyroc? The Tyroc would be installed on top of plywood.
Thanks.
Yes Martin you can nail hardwood flooring directly over Tyroc installed over plywood. Just be sure you are using enough length in your staples/nails to penetrate through the Tyroc (1/2″) to secure into your plywood.
Question…are you installing this floor in a basement or above ground? Just curious.
Hello Doug,
I’m interested in using Tyroc in a basement apartment, with a tile finish layer. I read the TCNA test results and was concerned that tiles broke under a 300# wheel load. Would a a Tyroc/tile floor support a couch with 3 X 200# guys sitting on it without cracking the tile? What about supporting a refrigerator?
Bridget
Bridget,
Yes Tyroc Subflooring will perform with a tile installation under these circumstances. Tyroc Subflooring will also protect your tile installation from any moisture issues that is the #1 cause for tile failure over any flooring substrate and particularly over concrete.
The force exerted during the tile test is very high because of the small surface area of the wheel. A 300 lb weight being supported by approx .25 square inches exerts a force of 1200 psi. This compared to 3 guys at 300lbs each sitting on a couch with 4 feet, each foot having at least 1.5 square inches of area. The total force is only 900 lbs spread over 6 square inches or 150 psi. Almost 1/10th of the force exerted during the test. In order to achieve the same force there would need to be 24 300lb guys on the couch. A refrigerator is even less force.
Hope this helps in your choices of selecting a subfloor for your basement project.
Doug
I am considering installing old growth hardwood on top of tyroc in my basement. The hardwood flooring consists of a 3mm layer of the recovered hardwood (recovered from Georgian Bay, as old as 500 years,300+in age, over 100 years submerged) glued to 9 layers of plywood style totalling 19mm. The look is unbelievable and is constructed like todays engineered products. Can I glue it directly to the tyroc, and what type of glue is recommended?
Mark,
Tyroc Subflooring is ideal for engineered hardwoods as it will provide a smooth level surface and a moisture barrier for your finished floor. Yes you can glue it directly to Tyroc. Please follow the manufacturers recommendations in terms of the glue required for their product installation.
Does Tyroc have an odor? I’m sensitive to the smell of tires. I’d love to use this product in our basement.
Lori, Tyroc does not have any off gasing or lingering smell of tires after installation.
In Texas we don’t have basements but we are planning on building slab on grade. I haven’t seen any discussion for this application. We would like wood floors and this seems like it would work well in this situation
Mary Lou,
Tyroc Subflooring was initially designed to solve flooring problems in wet basements (moisture issues, mold and mildew issues etc.) Once entering the market Tyroc has been found to protect any finished floor covering over all concrete floors, including slab on grade and multi-level concrete substrate floors (poured concrete). Tyroc serves as a moisture barrier over any concrete substrate. This is the most common issue with finished flooring over a concrete substrate as concrete is porous. Concrete sweats with changes in temperature and humidity and allows moisture to transfer. Tyroc protects your wood floors from any moisture transfer from the concrete up and provides a stable surface from any potential shift in the concrete slab.
I considering using Tyroc when I finish my basement this winter. I’ve confirmed that the Rona near me (on Rymal Road in Hamilton, ON) carries the product and has it in stock. What I’m wondering is how you secure the walls to floor? Do I still use Tapcons to drill through the 2×4, Tyroc and into the concrete floor?
Yes Jason Tapcons work great. Be sure the walls are none load bearing walls.
Thank you for using Tyroc.
Thanks for the response Doug. One last question, should I put anything between the 2×4 and Tyroc (the pink foam or plastic vapour barrier)?
Jason, no need for the pink foam or plastic vapour barrier as Tyroc will act as your moisture barrier.
I want to install Tyroc in my basement which has Lino tiles over cement. I may be installing electric radiant heating. Can I install the Tyroc on the tiles and do the heating cables go on top of the Tyroc? Also if there were no heating cables can vinyl tiles be applied directly to the Tyroc?
Denis
Denis,
Yes Tyroc can be installed directly over the linoleum tiles that have been installed over cement. And yes you can install your radiant heating system over Tyroc (not under it). And vinyl tiles can be installed over Tyroc according to the vinyl manufacturers recommendations. In this type of assembly Tyroc is the subflooring and should not be considered as a replacement or alternative to the recommended underlayment for the vinyl that is to be installed. Tyroc will naturally warm your floor by about 7-10 degrees (F). So determine if you are using radiant heat to heat your space or just your floor. You will also find that Tyroc will reduce the amount of humidity you may have in your basement currently and therefore provide a dryer, warmer space.
We are installing Tyroc subfloor over the concrete basement floor. We want to use a floating, laminate flooring for the finished floor … I assume we still need an underlayment for the laminate … hubby disagrees. What is your suggestion?
Jan, Tyroc provides the protection as a moisture barrier for the laminate flooring. However, most laminate flooring manufacturers have a specific requirement in their warranty about using an underlayment so as not void their warranty. You can use the most inexpensive type of underlayment to satisfy the manufacturers warranty.
Is it possible to install tyroc on top of a rigid foam insulation product to provide a much higher r-value for a basement floor?
Thanks
Gordon,
Tyroc Subflooring is thermal barrier as well as a moisture barrier. Without specifically testing this type of assembly it would be difficult to say what you may gain in R Value. Tyroc on its own has over a 3.2 R Value and is going to reduce cold from transferring from the slab up and will also reduce heat loss from the top down. We recommend that Tyroc be used as the subfloor – underlayment over the concrete and then what ever you choose to add to it is added on top. That way the Tyroc will protect your finished flooring assembly from any moisture issues and movement (expansion/contraction) in the substrate (i.e. concrete slab). There is a point of diminishing returns (overkill) on adding more materials to a project. You will also want to consider what type of finished floor you are installing over your subfloor assembly. Will the rigid foam support your finished floor? Check the manufacturers specifications. You can apply any type of finished flooring over Tyroc – tile, laminate, engineered or natural hardwood, vinyl or carpet.
Let me know if I can be of any more help
Hi,
The tyroc product does not show up on the Rona.ca website. Do you have it available in Montreal, Quebec?
Mutugi, even though it is not listed on their website if your local store doesn’t have it in stock they can order it through Owl Distribution. Check with your local store manager. Let me know if you aren’t able to find it.
Thanks,
Doug
So..I simply visit the store,ask for the product?..what is owl distribution?
Owl Distribution is wholesale/distributor for Tyroc Subflooring they service the retail dealers. Here was their response did you get it?
Good Morning Mutugi,
You can get Tyroc at Hudson Do-It Centre
CENTRE DO IT HUDSON
HUDSON HARDWARE & SUPPLIES
490 MAIN
HUDSON , Quebec
Yes..I did. Thanks. Another question for you is , how many adhesives pack (PL400) do I need for say 20 panels?
Mutugi, we are recommending PL Premium and you can figure 1 cartridge (coverage 30 linear feet) per 5 panels.
Ignore my last comment..I found the pdf file with all the recommended specs.
Thanks. I’m looking forward to installing the subflor.
Thank you Mutugi for choosing Tyroc.
Looking to install at cabin basement, where is it avialable on vancouver island (Victoria)?
Tyroc is available through Green Building Innovations in Milwaukie, Oregon you can check their website for the phone #. It is a distance but they can deliver.
My husband and I are finishing our cabin basement and are interested in using Tyroc. We are in the Salt Lake area of Utah, USA. Could Tyroc be shipped to us or is there a distributor close by?
Caroline,
Tyroc currently does not have a distributor in Salt Lake. We can deliver it. I will address your specific needs off line in a separate email.
Doug
Where can I purchase Tyroc in the Mississauga area?
Roger – Rona or Home Hardware carries Tyroc. If the store located nearest you does not have it in stock they can order it from Owl Distribution. Please let me know if I can be of any further help.
I was thinking of putting tyroc down as a subfloor in our basement. the basement floor gets very cold in the winter. What is the insulating r-value for tyroc. I can’t seem to find this info anywhere.
Mike,
Tyroc is a thermal barrier and will help insulate your finished floor. Tyroc is currently re-testing its R-value, however we do know Tyroc will raise your floor temperature by as much as 7 – 8 degrees (F) or more. It will also help with your energy bills if you are running a humidifier in addition to heating/cooling.
I just visited the Rona store on Merivale Road in Ottawa and they have not heard of Tyroc. Can you please tell me where in Ottawa I can purchase Tyroc. Thanks.
Eleanor,
Tyroc is available at Home Hardware Building Centers in:
Stittsville HBC, Stittsville ON
Kemptville HBC, Kemptville, ON
Deka HBC, Carp, ON
Owl Distribution is our distributor for ON and informed us that these stores are stocking Tyroc please contact me if I can be any further assistance.
I was thinking of putting tyroc down as a subfloor in our basement. the basement floor gets very cold in the winter. What is the insulating r-value for tyroc. I can’t seem to find this info anywhere. Will tyroc help much?
Also, what kind of smell does the rubber on the bottom layer have and does thsat off gas?
Thanks,
Joe
Joe,
Tyroc is a thermal barrier and will help insulate your finished floor. Tyroc is currently re-testing its R-value, however we do know Tyroc will raise your floor temperature by as much as 7 – 8 degrees (F) or more. It will also help with your energy bills if you are running a humidifier in addition to heating/cooling. There may be a light odor from the rubber when first laid dependent on the manufacture and delivery dates, however once installed and properly ventilated Tyroc has no off gas or persistent odor. Just like any new flooring it has a “new floor” smell for a couple of days. Let me know if you have any futher questions.
I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I have contacted the local Rona and Home Hardware stores but they have not heard of your Tyroc product. I want to use Tyroc for my basement subfloor. How fast can you folks get a shipment to Halifax? (I need 270 square feet). Thanks.
May currently we do not have a dealer in Halifax. We will connect offline to determine if we can help you direct.
Tyroc is distributed on the East Coast from Maine to Virginia and we are establishing new dealers every day.
Thank you for your interest in Tyroc.
Doug, Rona on Parkdale in Hamilton have never heard of Tyroc =
subflooring. I spoke with Terry Hnatyshyn telephone 905-547-3444. Will =
I be able to get Tyroc subflooring in Hamilton? To-morrow we will do =
the rough in plumbing for the bathroom. What are the dimensions of a =
Tyroc sheet?
The Rona store at 1245 Rymal Road East, Hamilton, Ontario L8W 3N1
Ph: 905-383-3355 carries Tyrco and has in stock. I will email contact name under seprate email.
Thanks, Doug
Your product information indicates that ceramic tile can be installed on top of Tyroc. When I checked with my tile installer, he said he would recommend against this because Tyroc is a floating subfloor. He said that if there is any vertical movement, the tiles or grout would crack. Can you comment on this?
John,
Tyroc has been tested by the TCNA (Tile Council of NorthAmerica) using the industry standard Robinson-Type Floor Tester and meant thestandards for ASTM C627 installation guidelines for Ceramic Floor Tile Installation Systems for Residentialapplications. This test report andothers are available on our website. Here is the link to the page http://www.tyrocinc.com/tyroc-specs-testing-reports/
You can also view a testimony from a contractor that usedTyroc as an underlayment over wood and concrete substrate finished with tile onthis page http://www.tyrocinc.com/actual-tyroc-installations/tile-installed-over-tyroc-subfloor/
Tyroc does recommend using a modified thin set and grout.
If you are starting from a completely unfinished basement, what is the recommended installation order: Tyroc all the way to the concrete walls then build walls *on top* of Tyrox OR build walls on concrete floor then install Tyroc?
Thanks.
Stephen you can build
non-load bearing
framing walls over Tyroc. I would recommend triming the ship-lap edges so you have a blunt edge against the outer wall. Tyroc will not expand or contract from temperature differences or moisture (it is impervious to moisture and water). However you want to keep in mind that you will be building up the floor by 1/2″ in height and will need to allow for that in your framing.Is Tyroc subflooring available in Hamilton Area? I can not location on Rona or Home Hardware web site. Is it special order? How long would a special order take?
Thanks, regards
Don,
There is a Rona Store in Hamilton, ON. Give them a call or email me at dweber@bjectinc.com and I will follow up on Monday with the manager.
633 Parkdale Ave. North
Hamilton ON, L8H 5Z1
Phone: 905-547-3444
Thanks Doug. I will visit store on Tuesday. Monday is a holiday.
Don, I will be sure to check with the store manager as well and if he does not have it in stock he can get it very quickly.
I am still awaiting an answer on my question. I do have a customer awaiting a response from me. Could you please respond as soon as you can. Thank you, Judy
Judy,
This question has come up before from another carpet installer. And I told him: use common sense on the tension. If the tack strip is adhered with an adhesive glue (PL Premium as recommended or a self adhesive tack strip) in addition to the normal nails in the tack strip to the Tyroc there should be no problem just as a normal lay down. However if you are going apply more tension for some reason then see below. Your issue here is the Tyroc has already been laid down and I don’t know that there is enough gap to allow the tack strip to be fastened directly to the concrete. Please if you have any questions give me a call. Carpet has been installed over Tyroc in 1,000′s of projects with no concerns.
My VP of Operations and Product Development responded this way.
“If they are going to power stretch the carpet, they should leave a gap around the outside of the room that will allow the tack strip to be fastened directly to the concrete.
This would place all of the tension on the tack strip and avoid any buckling of the Tyroc.”