Which plywood is best for bathroom subfloor?

Pressure treated 3/4″ plywood

Pressure treated 3/4″ plywood subfloor is the best subfloor material for bathrooms. Pressure treated plywood is water resistant and will withstand the humid, damp bathroom environment much better than untreated plywood or OSB.

How thick should plywood be for bathroom floor?

Make Sure Your Subfloor is Structurally Stable



The installation guide for 1/4 inch HardieBacker recommends having wood subfloors made of 5/8 inch exterior grade plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) that is 23/32 inches thick.

What type of subfloor should I use in the bathroom?

Plywood or enhanced plywood is going to be the best option for your bathroom subfloor. Although they are more expensive than OSB, they still hold up better in high-moisture areas.

What plywood should I use for subfloor?

Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring. The tongue-and-groove edges interlock to resist movement along the panel edges and create an overall stiffer floor.

How do you waterproof a bathroom subfloor plywood?

To waterproof the plywood yourself, first repair it if needed and then sand it down and clean it off. Use a waterproof sealant, stain or paint and apply two to three layers. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before painting the next one.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it’s a superior material for use on the subfloor.

What is best wood for bathroom floor?

Engineered wood is by far the best option, compared to solid boards. This is primarily because of the multi-layer core of an engineered board, creating an incredibly robust and stable surface. This is essential, as it limits the movement in the floor.

Is plywood good for bathrooms?

Plywood is suitable for both bathrooms and kitchens – if you use the correct plywood product, that is. Plywood with birch cores are the only suitable options and we at Maxiply highly recommend pre-finishing and an additional coat of UV oil.

Is half inch plywood good for floor?

The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood should be used for joists spaced further apart.

How much does a 4×8 sheet of 3/4 plywood cost?

3/4 x 4 x 8 Plywood Sheathing at Menards

Everyday Low Price $57.28
11% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 6/5/22 $6.30


Can you use regular plywood for subfloor?

Plywood. Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Is OSB OK for subfloor?

Around the 1990s, OSB began to make in-roads into the plywood market for subflooring. Most local codes allow OSB to be used for subflooring. It’s always best to check with your local permitting office before using OSB for your subfloor. One advantage that OSB has over plywood is its larger formatting.

Is it better to screw or nail subfloor?

Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower.

What is more waterproof OSB or plywood?

OSB takes longer to get wet than plywood but also takes longer to dry out. When used as a roof sheathing, this tendency to hold moisture means it can degrade faster than plywood when exposed to chronic leaks.

What thickness should subfloor be?

The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch. There are several factors that determine what subfloor thickness is optimal for added benefits like insulation.

Do you need two layers of subfloor?

The subfloor has to be attached to the joists, and two subfloor layers glued together or just nailed through to the joists, is no different than one thicker subfloor layer.

Can I use 7/16 OSB for subfloor?

Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a wood structural panel that can also be used for flooring. It is made from shredded strands of wood pressed together with wax and a special adhesive, then hot pressed into a panel with up to 50 layers of strands. OSB can be used for subfloors, although it is not as common as CDX.

How do you replace a subfloor in a bathroom?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Level there's a lot of tools we could use to cut out this subfloor. In this case we're going to be using a circular. Saw. Before you start any demo be sure you're wearing your safety gear.

How do you waterproof a bathroom subfloor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Once all the teacher has been installed into the subfloor. We're going to really waterproof this room by applying a Curie band of the seams.

How much does it cost to replace a subfloor in a bathroom?

On average, replacing an entire subfloor in a 300-square-foot room can cost between $450 – $2,000.



Average Cost to Replace a Subfloor. (300 sq. ft)

Item DIY Professional
Total $483 $658