How do you prepare uneven subfloor for hardwood floors?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But it should be perpendicular to the floor joists. If it won't be you can add another plywood layer to strengthen the floor. Next prep the doorways stack. A piece of flooring on the underlayment.

Do you need to put plywood under hardwood floors?





Is the subfloor rigid or strong enough to support your hardwood flooring? A wood subfloor should be OSB or plywood of 3/4″ or thicker for a hardwood floor installation. Particle board and chipboard are unacceptable for solid hardwood installations, but may be used in an engineered flooring install.

Should I put plywood over subfloor?

Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. If you don’t respect this thickness of ply, then you’re highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring.

Can I put subfloor over existing floor?

If you decide to install over an existing floor, make sure your subfloor is level regardless. A level sub floor is vital. And make the right flooring choice to install on top of the existing floor (ie: laminate flooring or a SPC Vinyl plank is perfect for this, as the core is rigid and can hide some deficiencies.

Can you level a floor with plywood?

If you’ve got a plywood subfloor, like many buildings do, you can leave it in place and apply self-leveling concrete directly on top of it. Once the plywood subfloor is covered, just apply the finish you want to achieve the desired look.

Does underlayment help with uneven floors?





The sub-floor is the very base of support for any flooring. An uneven sub-floor can cause issues to arise prematurely even if the floors are top-notch. Underlayment can serve as a relatively simple fix to an uneven-subfloor.

Do I need 2 layers of subfloor?

That’s the usual approach. 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.

Can you put hardwood over plywood subfloor?

Engineered or Solid Wood Flooring that is less than 1/2″ thick can be installed over a plywood subfloor.

What goes between subfloor and hardwood?

Underlayment is the layer of material that sits between the subfloor and the new hardwood flooring. Subflooring is a layer of plywood or engineered wood that sits at the very bottom layer of the flooring.

Does hardwood floor need subfloor?



When planning your installation, it’s important to keep in mind that a solid hardwood floor is only as good as its subfloor. A proper subfloor will be the unsung hero of your solid hardwood investment, while the wrong subfloor will cause you problems.

Can you put new subfloor over old?

Before you decide to lay subfloor and new flooring over your old flooring, measure the distance from the bottom of the doors to the floor. Adding subfloor and flooring could raise the floor height 1 inch or more, depending on the type of flooring you choose.

What is the difference between subfloor and underlayment?

Basically, subfloors are a structural part of your home that provide strength and rigidity to your home’s flooring. Underlays, on the other hand, protect your floor covering from moisture, help soundproof your floor, and offer cushioning and comfort underfoot.

How thick should plywood subfloor be?



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 do you level an uneven floor with plywood?

Place strips of plywood across the floor to fill deeper slopes, increasing the thickness of the plywood at regular intervals to correct the slope. For example, fill a 1-inch slope across 8 feet by putting a 12-inch strip of 3/8-inch plywood at the point where the slope is that deep.

How do you level a badly unlevel floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Self-leveling underlayment are a simple solution to flattening uneven or out of level floors. It's an especially good technique when you're planning on tiling.

What type of flooring is best for uneven floors?

Below are the best possible options for you to cover and decorate your uneven flooring.

  1. Engineered Wood. Among all floating floorings, engineered wood is one of the most favorites. …
  2. Luxury Vinyl. Luxury vinyl is the newest version of vinyl flooring. …
  3. Sheet Vinyl. …
  4. Laminate. …
  5. Linoleum. …
  6. Carpet. …
  7. Solid Hardwood.



How much can you jack up a sagging floor?

It’s important not to jack your floor too fast. If you do, you can cause the wall above the area to crack. Instead, Jack your floor slowly. As a rule of thumb, you only want to raise your floor 1/8 of an inch a day.

How much floor sag is acceptable?

Typically, floors that slope 1-1/2 inches or less in 20 feet is not a problem. Floors that sag 2 inches or more in 20 feet, though, are a cause for concern. Additional indicators of a significant problem include: Foundation cracks.

Do uneven floors mean foundation problems?

Uneven or sloped flooring is rarely a sign that there’s just a problem with the floor. It’s a better indication that settling or shifting of the foundation is going on beneath the flooring. If you notice a slope developing, your first call should be to a foundation expert!

Are sloping floors a problem?



Though floor sloping is a common problem, it isn’t purely a cosmetic problem. Floor sloping can indicate that there’s a much more severe issue at hand. Sloping floors can signify that there is significant structural damage to a home’s foundation, warped floor joists, or water damage requiring foundation repair.