Can I put flooring directly on subfloor?
If you're gluing the new flooring to the subfloor, use a sander to remove paint, oil, wax, adhesives, sealers or other material and then thoroughly vacuum off dust and debris. Nail-down or floating floors may be installed over existing vinyl as long as it's no more than two layers thick.
What do you put over a subfloor?
Underlayment is a thinner material that lies over the subfloor. While underlayment may add a modest amount of stiffness to a floor assembly, it does not strengthen a floor or enhance it structurally. Plywood is only one type of underlayment.
Can you leave subfloor as floor?
If your subfloor is concrete and doesn't contain visible cracks, chips or discolorations, you might choose to keep it as your regular flooring. Paint or stain concrete subflooring if you want to give it a finished appearance. Plywood, pine boards and OSB subflooring generally have an unfinished appearance.
Do you need underlayment on top of subfloor?
You may wish to use an underlayment with some additional cushion when installing vinyl flooring over a concrete subfloor. In addition, you may want one that provides some additional moisture protection, as well as some insulation. With concrete subfloors, a cushiony underlayment, such as foam or cork, is recommended.
Can I put tile directly on subfloor?
While you can lay tile directly over a concrete slab using thin-set adhesive, don't make the mistake of applying tile directly to a plywood subfloor. No matter how firm the subfloor; the plywood will expand and contract at a different rate as the tile, causing cracks to develop in the grout lines or tiles over time.
Do you put anything between subfloor and hardwood?
Underlayment is added for a variety of reasons. For many people, the biggest is for added protection from moisture, as the underlayment provides a buffer between your subfloors and expensive hardwoods — possibly saving your beautiful investment (and your mood) from getting ruined.
What is the best flooring over a subfloor?
Hardwood has been a flooring option for thousands of years. It works well over any type of wood subfloor more than 1/2 an inch thick. If squeaky floors are an issue, some construction adhesive will keep everything nice and quiet. Laminate floors can be installed over any wooden subfloor as long as it's in good repair.
What is the floor on top of the subfloor called?
The floor covering is pretty simple. It is the top layer that you directly walk on, and see. As an example this would be your Vinyls, Ceramics, Laminates, Hardwoods, etc. This will all depend on your tastes, budget, and design. The underlayment is what the floor covering lays on.
What are the rules for subflooring?
Q: Why should I introduce a layer of ply over the plank subfloor? A: Introducing a layer of ply is beneficial because it allows you to run your new planks in any direction, strengthens the subfloor in both directions, and helps eliminate squeaks if done properly.
Why put plywood over subfloor?
However, it plays a major role in supporting certain types of flooring, like hardwood floors or carpeting, which can't be attached directly to the floor joists in your home. A subfloor can last up to 30 years but does eventually need to be replaced.
How many years does subfloor last?
Subflooring. Beneath the underlayment is a subfloor that is the foundation for the entire flooring structure. It secures to the baseboard joists to form a base structure for the flooring. The subfloor layer is usually made of plywood, particleboard, or oriented strand board (OSB).
Is subfloor just plywood?
Yes! Clean it well, vacuum it, and add subfloor screws to the subfloor so it's secure to the joists. Then you can lay down some pL400 and another layer of plywood. Screw that down too, into the joists as well.
Is it OK to put new subfloor over old subfloor?
The subfloor is the structural plywood that is used during construction. It is usually a composite product such as OSB that is manufactured for its strength and engineered structural qualities. Plywood underlayment is the layer of plywood that is fastened over the structural subfloor.
Does underlayment go over subfloor?
Separate Underlayment. Laminate flooring manufacturers typically recommend an underlayment. What happens if you don't put padding under laminate flooring is moisture coming through the subfloor can cause it to warp and mildew. And footsteps on the floor will be louder.
What happens if you don't use underlayment with flooring?
If you lay tile on top of plywood, it'll expand over time, causing the tiles and grout lines to possibly crack and damage.
Why can't you tile over plywood?
Preparing a subfloor is an essential step for installing floor tile. It provides a level surface that will allow the tiles to properly stay in place. This guide will show you how to prepare your subfloor for a tile installation project to ensure that it's fit to support ceramic or porcelain tile.
Why is subfloor prep so crucial with tile?
A good subfloor needs to be durable, level, at least 1 ⅛ inches thick, and free from residue. If it is not, it won't support tile well. Even the smallest cracks or depressions in a concrete floor could cause your tile to break early.
Is my subfloor strong enough for tile?
Most 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring can be installed using nails or staples over a wood subfloor. Most engineered flooring can be installed using staples, full spread adhesive or a floating method over an approved subfloor.
Can you lay hardwood directly on subfloor?
While not all flooring materials require an underlay during installation, hardwood floors are one of the materials that greatly benefits from a solid foundation. Typically, an underlay is a layer of material installed between the subfloor and your new hardwood floor.
Does hardwood go directly on subfloor?
Just 1 layer of 3/4 “ or 5/8” will do for most applications. If your finished floor is going to be heavy ceramic tiles, natural stone, and alike it may need to be thicker and or have more supports.
How many layers of subfloor do I need?
LVT Floor (tiles or planks): Yes.
The surface must be flat and level (per our subfloor specifications) and the condition of the floor good. You must use padding. Some LVT products are floating systems or “loose-lay” and are easy to remove (preferable).
Can you put laminate flooring over subfloor?
OSB Subfloor Pros And Cons
Strength and Stability: OSB offers good strength and dimensional stability, suitable for supporting flooring materials. Durability: While durable, OSB may not be as resistant to impact as plywood, and heavy loads can cause indentation or damage.
Is subfloor stronger than plywood?
Laminate would be the easiest. But if you are choosing a disposable floor covering, vinyl plank would be a better choice than laminate. Wood and tile are both true floors and not just a floor covering.
What flooring can go over plywood subfloor?
While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control. Install a vapor barrier of plastic sheeting before laying the subfloor.
Do I need a subfloor over concrete?
Most all houses have subfloors. The subfloor is made of plywood or OSB typically in thickness from 19/32 inches to 1-1/8 inches. If there is a concrete slab floor, the slab itself may be considered the subfloor.
Do all houses have a subfloor?
For Oriented Strand Board (OSB) subfloors, the standard thickness should be 23/32-inch if the spacing of the joists is up to 16 inches apart. If the joists are spaced apart about 24 inches or higher, the required thickness should be 1-inch.
How thick should a subfloor be?
This can be a continuous structural surface over the joists, or a concrete slab that serves as a foundation for the finished floor layer. The subfloor is considered a structural layer, and it should not be mistaken for underlayment (the layer between the subfloor and the finish flooring).
Is a subfloor considered structural?
Do walls sit on top of subfloor? Yes. Because walls are built on top of a home's subfloor, replacing the subfloor can sometimes require the walls to be removed.
Should subfloor go under walls?
OSB absorbs less moisture, but plywood dries out faster and more completely. How the subfloor materials react to water matters during both an open-air construction phase of a house as well as homeownership when a leak or flood might compromise the subfloor.
What is the difference between subfloor and plywood?
Underlayment is needed if you're going to install vinyl plank flooring over tile, vinyl flooring, and even hardwood. As mentioned, with the plywood floor, there's no need to worry about a moisture barrier; the underlayment should provide cushioning and sound-deadening benefits.
Do I need underlayment over plywood?
However, in the event of extensive water damage from flooding or extended periods of exposure to moisture, damaged sections may need to be removed to avoid mold and ensure structural integrity. Other issues like fire damage or pests may also force homeowners to replace subflooring.
Is subfloor ruined if it gets wet?
Underlayment. Underlayment is a layer of material between the subfloor and the finished flooring. Underlayment provides a smooth, level surface for installing luxury vinyl tile, laminate flooring, and hardwood floors. There are different types of underlayment, each with their own purpose.
What comes after subfloor?
Sometimes it's easier to cover an old linoleum floor with 1/4 inch plywood, than it is to scrape the old floor off. If dust is an issue, as in laying tile, once the subfloor is prepped and ready, you dont want to walk on it, but it is safe.
Can you walk on 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.
Can you just use subfloor as your floor?
Amidst the plethora of flooring choices, one emerges as a compelling choice for the DIY aficionado – plywood. Affordable, sustainable, and boasting a unique aesthetic charm, flooring with plywood is a project well within the reach of a motivated homeowner.
Is plywood OK for flooring?
There are many signs that your damaged subfloor should be replaced with a new subfloor. These include squeaks and other noises, cupping or warping, cracked or popped tiles, sagging or unevenness, the smell of mold or mildew, or bubbling tile.
What is the difference between flooring and subflooring?
You can usually pop each sheet off the joists with one hit at each end, and one hit on the edge. That is the quickest and easiest way to go about it. The best way i found to remove an old subfloor with tons of nails and/or staples is,first rip the floor between all joists.
How do I know if my subfloor is bad?
Cement board can be installed over a plywood subfloor using an appropriate construction adhesive and screws for a quicker project that's less messy than taping and mudding.
Can you remove old subfloor?
You may wish to use an underlayment with some additional cushion when installing vinyl flooring over a concrete subfloor. In addition, you may want one that provides some additional moisture protection, as well as some insulation. With concrete subfloors, a cushiony underlayment, such as foam or cork, is recommended.
Can you put cement board over subfloor?
The subfloor must be perfectly level and free of gaps, seams, or gouges that could transfer to the surface of the soft vinyl. For deeper dips, repair the subfloor using the trowel and spread the compound over gaps and seams until the floor is flat and level.
Do you need underlayment on top of subfloor?
Underlayment is different from the subfloor in that it rests between the subfloor and the actual floor. Resting on top of the subfloor, it acts as a protective barrier and is meant to absorb any roughness or imperfections of the subfloor. Underlayments help to provide extra support to the actual floor.
Can you install vinyl sheet flooring over subfloor?
In short, vinyl flooring itself can be completely self sustainable and does not require an underlayment to function properly. Another reason underlayments may be suggested for vinyl flooring is if the vinyl flooring type is thin. When the vinyl flooring is thin, it becomes a lot easier to flex and bend.
What is the difference between underlay and subfloor?
If you don't use an underlay, your beautiful laminate flooring will be prone to damage as well as wear and tear.
What flooring does not require underlayment?
As a general rule, use a vapor barrier underlayment for: Any floating floor or engineered wood floor on an unsealed concrete subfloor. Laminate and engineered wood installed over an unheated space. Laminate and engineered wood installed over a wet room like a bathroom or kitchen.
Can you put laminate flooring without underlayment?
While you can lay tile directly over a concrete slab using thin-set adhesive, don't make the mistake of applying tile directly to a plywood subfloor. No matter how firm the subfloor; the plywood will expand and contract at a different rate as the tile, causing cracks to develop in the grout lines or tiles over time.
What type of flooring requires underlayment?
Install a cement backer board to set a good base for your tile and prevent any movement-related cracking of tile or grout. Backer board is screwed down to wood subfloor using specific backer board screws and mortared down with tile adhesive mortar plywood subfloor.
Can I put tile directly on subfloor?
Plywood is remarkably dimensionally stable. Even so, it's not stable enough for tile. Even concrete is not a suitable base for tile; concrete must be uncoupled from the tile. Add an uncoupling material to the substrate to successfully install tile on plywood.
What do you put on subfloor before tile?
Whenever you're laying tile on a wood subfloor, you need to first install cement backer board. Backer board prevents leaks and water damage that could harm your flooring and the structure of your home.
Can you lay tile directly on plywood?
Successfully installing ceramic floor tiling requires a clean, level, one-inch-thick subfloor. In addition, the design of the subfloor must provide stability and strength to withstand the tile weight without flexing or moving.
Should you tile on subfloor or cement board?
Underlayment is added for a variety of reasons. For many people, the biggest is for added protection from moisture, as the underlayment provides a buffer between your subfloors and expensive hardwoods — possibly saving your beautiful investment (and your mood) from getting ruined.
Do I need a subfloor for ceramic tile?
While underlayment isn't always necessary for your hardwood floors, there are always benefits to it. One of the most significant reasons to install underlayment is the added stability and durability. Underlayment provides support for your floor and helps smooth subfloor imperfections.
What do you put on top of subfloor for tile?
What is the best flooring to put over plywood?
Do you put anything between subfloor and hardwood?
Where not to install hardwood floors?
Do I need subfloor for hardwood?
Hardwood has been a flooring option for thousands of years. It works well over any type of wood subfloor more than 1/2 an inch thick. If squeaky floors are an issue, some construction adhesive will keep everything nice and quiet. Laminate floors can be installed over any wooden subfloor as long as it's in good repair.
What flooring can go over plywood subfloor?
Laminate flooring is designed to be a floating floor that may be installed over virtually any type of sub floor. And by “floating”, we mean that it doesn't need to be nailed or glued to the sub floor.
Can you install laminate directly on subfloor?
There are a few different types of plywood that can be used under laminate flooring, but the best type is usually 3/4-inch thick, exterior-grade plywood. This type of plywood is sturdy and dimensionally stable, meaning that it won't warp or shrink over time.