What type of wood should you use for subflooring?

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 is best plywood for subfloor?

CDX plywood is the most popular type of traditional plywood. It’s made with a rough outer layer that typically grades C, D or X. Almost all subfloor plywood is some type of CDX. There’s no reason to buy high grade finished plywood for use as a subfloor if your just going to cover it up with finished flooring.

Is plywood or OSB better for a subfloor?

The National Tile Contractors Association and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute both recommend plywood for subflooring and underlayment, because it doesn’t have the risk of swollen edges that OSB does. Plywood also has a slight advantage in stiffness, which means that subflooring panels need not be quite as thick.

What is the best wood to use for bathroom subfloor?

plywood
Traditionally, exterior grade plywood has been the subfloor material of choice for many bathroom flooring projects. Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. CDX plywood (¾”) in particular is used often because it has a high level of resistance to moisture and humidity.

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.

Can you use MDF for subfloor?

Underlay sits between the structural subfloor floor and the decorative surface fitting, like carpet, vinyl, or tiles. A hard underlay like MDF gives a smooth, consistent surface since it covers any imperfections present in the subfloor. Its high density also makes it resistant to wear.

Can I use regular plywood for subfloor?

Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but it is more common to use tongue-and-groove sheets that interlock along the edges. The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. The type of OSB used for subfloors generally is made with tongue-and-groove edges (T & G).

Is it OK to use OSB for subfloor?

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. For plywood, 8-foot and 10-foot long sheets of plywood are standard.

What are 3 common subfloor materials?

Best Subflooring Material for Finished Floors

What thickness plywood should I use for bathroom flooring?

Consider what the top layer of the bathroom flooring will be since some types of plywood are better suited for different flooring. For hardwood, tongue-and-groove CDX plywood rated AC with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness is best. Specifically for subflooring, tongue-and-groove plywood is strong and will reduce squeaks.

What should I use for floor underlayment?

Plywood, hardboard, and cement board are common choices, but sometimes the underlayment is simply a thin foam padding.

What is the best sub flooring?

Flooring contractors with years of experience agree that there are several different types of material that can best create the ideal sub-floor in preparation for vinyl. The best type of sub-flooring material for a vinyl floor is plywood, tongue and groove wood, and concrete with no cracks.

What type of plywood to use for a 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 size plywood do I use for a subfloor?

The thickness of your plywood subfloor depends on the joist spans. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends a minimum plywood panel thickness of 7/8-inch for joist spans of 19.2 to 24 inches, and a minimum plywood panel thickness of 5/8-inch for joist spans of 16 inches or less.

What to use as subflooring?

A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. Plywood is usually used as subfloor today.