Plywoods subfloors

What is the cheapest subfloor?

Rarely, a prospective homeowner may recognize that OSB is the cheaper subfloor material.

What is the most durable subfloor?

Concrete. Concrete subflooring uses slabs, which provide a hard, durable, steady and often smooth subfloor. Finishing floorings such as tiles and stones can be directly installed over concrete, but in most cases an underlayment is necessary. Concrete is not impervious to water or vapor.

What is the best wood for subfloor?

When choosing a grade for your plywood flooring I’d stick with CDX if it’s a subfloor. Higher grade plywood is typically used for cabinet and furniture making. If your joists are spaced at 16 inch on center go with at least a 5/8 inch plywood. Use two layers of plywood when building a fiberglass floor.

What size plywood is best for subfloor?

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.

What is best subfloor material?

Plywood

Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

How much is a sheet of subflooring?

Subfloor Cost per Square Foot

What are 3 common subfloor materials?

Common Subfloor Materials. There are four primary materials used as subfloor: plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), concrete, and high-performance panels. There are other subfloors materials out there, but they are used in more niche situations. The construction industry is constantly evolving.

Is pine plywood good for subfloor?

Yes, you can use pine subfloors as primary flooring. In many older houses, the pine subfloor was the only floor and it held up well. Uncovered pine subflooring appeals to recycling enthusiasts as well as fans of distressed wood.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

This evolved plywood may claim an overall advantage over OSB, since plywood is a stiffer, longer-lasting subfloor option. It will also hold up better under flooring accidents like leaks or flooding, and has greater nail withdrawal strength to hold the nail in under stress.

Do I need 2 layers of subfloor?

Almost no one puts down double-thick subfloor in residential applications (for cost and handling reasons), and both layers need to be fastened to joists. Only thin underlayment can be fastened just to the subfloor.

How do you waterproof a subfloor?

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.

Can you use 1/2 inch plywood flooring?

CDX plywood should be a minimum of 7/16 inch thick. The thicknesses are as follows: 7/16-, 15/32- and 1/2-inch-thick panels require joists spaced 16 inches on center; 19/32- and 5/8-inch-thick panels require joists spaced 20 inches on center.

What is underneath a subfloor?

Underlayment: Some types of flooring can be installed directly on top of the subfloor, such as vinyl flooring. Other types need a middle layer, called underlayment, such as laminate,carpet and tile.

Do you have to use tongue and groove for subfloor?

For subflooring, you use tongue and groove plywood. The tongue and groove are only along the 8 foot edges. On the four foot edges, your seams will fall on joist tops, so no need for tongue and groove.

How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?

If you are using plywood for your subfloor, you should use a minimum of one layer that is between ¾” and ⅝” thick. This thickness will suffice for most floors; however, codes will vary and a second layer is a good idea if your floor covering is going to be a heavy material like ceramic tiles or natural stone.

Should I screw or nail subfloor?

Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. If using nails for subfloor installation, stick with ring-shank nails; smooth nails may withdraw easier, leading to squeaks.

Should I glue second layer of subfloor?

First layer must be dry prior to laying the second layer. Place a layer of 15-lb felt on top of the subflooring prior to installing second layer. Adhesives should not be used to fasten the two layers together.

Can you put subfloor over old subfloor?

One of the benefits of removing the old flooring is it allows you the chance to fix any loose subflooring or squeaks by re-securing the main subfloor to the floor joists prior to installing the new flooring. With all that being said though the answer is YES you can install New Wood Flooring over the old.

How do I know if my subfloor needs to be replaced?

9 Common Signs of Subfloor Damage

1. Your floors are uneven or sunken in parts. …
2. Your floorboards squeak – loudly. …
3. The room smells musty. …
4. Your floors shift or bounce when you walk on them. …
5. Your toilet is rocking or loose. …
6. Your tile flooring has cracked. …
7. Your hardwood floor is cupping. …
8. Your linoleum floor is bubbling up.

How do you add a second layer of a subfloor?

1. Step 1: Remove Old Flooring. It may seem obvious, but the first step to adding a second layer to your subfloor is to remove the old flooring. …
2. Step 2: Remove Underlayment. …
3. Step 3: Decide on Plywood. …
4. Step 4: Acclimate Plywood. …
5. Step 5: Install Plywood. …
6. Step 6: Keep in Mind.