The normal choice is a thin foam pad material made of polyethylene or polypropylene, which rolls out in sheets. Plywood subfloors: A breathable foam-type underlayment is generally used when installing laminate flooring over plywood or OSB subfloors.

What is the best subfloor for laminate?

The appropriate types of subfloors for laminate flooring include:

  • Exterior grade plywood.
  • OSB board.
  • Concrete (that is at least one month old)
  • Existing wood that is not adhered to concrete.
  • Vinyl that is not glued down to another subfloor.
  • Ceramic.
  • Terrazzo.
  • Particle board.





Can laminate be installed on subfloor?

You’ll need to know how to level a floor: Just sand any high spots and fill the low spots with leveling compound. A floating floor (laminate or locking hardwood) shouldn’t be installed over a wood subfloor that’s adhered to a concrete slab.

What do you put on subfloor before laminate?

The appropriate types of laminate flooring subfloor include: Exterior grade plywood subflooring. OSB board. Concrete (that is at least one month old)



The subfloor materials NOT suitable for laminate flooring:

  1. Residential Carpet & Carpet Underlayment.
  2. Any Cushioned Flooring.
  3. Glued vinyl.


What thickness underlay is best for laminate flooring?





We would recommend an underlay of 3 – 5mm for laminate flooring. It should be at least 3mm thick to provide comfort and ground levelling properties. But, it should be no more than 5mm thick. If it’s any thicker, you could experience problems with the laminate’s locking system.

What is the best subfloor material?

Plywood

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.

How smooth does subfloor need to be for laminate?

Most manufacturers recommend that the floor be flat to within 3/16” in a 10 ft. radius. These measurements are consistent with most other types of floor coverings.

Do I need plywood under laminate flooring?



All floors aren’t perfectly flat so having an underlayment can hide the small minor imperfections giving your room a near perfect look. Moisture protection will not have any benefit to laminate flooring on plywood as most plywood subfloors are usually installed on the main or second level of a house.

Do you need moisture barrier under laminate flooring?

No matter which underlayment you choose, if you are installing on a moisture prone subfloor or concrete subfloor, you really need a moisture barrier underlayment. Protect your laminate flooring from moisture for years to come by installing moisture barrier underlayment.

How do I choose a subfloor?


Quote from Youtube video: And how do you pick the right one for the.

How thick should a 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.

Is 2mm underlay OK for laminate flooring?

Acoustic White 2mm Thick underlay is ideal for Wood or Laminate Floors where a simple but protective underlay is required.

How thick is typical subfloor?

Thicknesses for products used for subfloors are generally 23/32 inch (just under 3/4 inch), but thicker sheets are available where building codes call for them.

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.

Is plywood or OSB better for a 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 material can be used for subfloor?

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.

What goes under laminate flooring on plywood?

foam underlayment

Plywood is only one type of underlayment. Other common types include cementboard or tile backer (used under ceramic or stone tile), foam underlayment (used under laminate and engineered wood “floating” floors), and rosin paper (used under solid hardwood flooring).

Do I need backer board for laminate flooring?



Underlayment for laminate flooring is a must. Since laminate is a floating floor, it must be evenly distributed across your subfloor. Underlayment is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support, noise reduction, and supports the locking systems in between planks to assure the sturdiest flooring project.

Do you need a moisture barrier for laminate flooring on plywood?

Moisture protection will not have any benefit to laminate flooring on plywood as most plywood subfloors are usually installed on the main or second level of a house. However, if the main level of the house is above a crawl space, we recommend to properly seal the crawl space of moisture.

Can cement board be used under laminate flooring?

Cement board is the underlayment to use when installing tile flooring. It sits on the plywood or concrete surface and holds the tiles together. Foam and cork padding is the most common underlayment for laminate floors.

How do I choose a subfloor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And how do you pick the right one for the.

Can you use cement board as subfloor?

If you’re working over a wood subfloor, cement board is the right choice for your tile base. No matter what you’re told at a home center, it’s not a good idea to install tile directly over plywood, especially in a damp area like a bathroom.

Can I just screw down cement board?

Doing this will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Cement board can also be used on countertops when laying tile. However, the process will involve using an extra sheet of backer board. Never use standard screws when installing cement board.

Do you have to put thinset between subfloor and cement board?

Not only is thinset a critical component underneath cement board but the other critical component is the fasteners. And you won’t have the fasteners if you are trying to install it over concrete. On the bright side, there are some options for concrete subfloors.

Do you put plywood under cement board?

Because cement board can be used either for floors or walls, the surface below the cement board will vary: Flooring: For ceramic tile floors, the cement board usually rests on a plywood subfloor (minimum 5/8-inch-thick exterior-grade plywood or OSB).