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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.
How thick is a standard 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 kind of plywood do you use for subfloor?
Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring. The tongue-and-groove edges interlock to resist movement along the panel edges and create an overall stiffer floor.
How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?
Actually you need 1 1/4 thick plywood for a subfloor but if you support it on one foot centers it will be strong enough for a good subfloor. If you don’t have it supported properly you will get crack in you mortar or tiles you can’t have the movement in the subfloor for tiles .
How thick is a home floor?
In a typical home, the entire structure between levels can be about 12 to 14 inches thick, depending on the type of joists used and the finish materials for the floor and ceiling.
Is it better to use OSB or plywood for 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.
Do you need 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.
Is it OK to use treated plywood for subfloor?
There’s no need to worry about making treated wood safer that is completely covered in other materials and hidden from access, such as subflooring. Pressure treated wood doesn’t release any gases or particulates that could harm you and your family.
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.
Should I screw or nail subfloor?
Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower.
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.
What goes over 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.
How thick is ground floor?
Ground-bearing floors shall be of adequate strength and durability, and use concrete mixed and reinforced as necessary to support floor loads safely and resist chemical and frost action. Ground-bearing concrete floor slabs should be at least 100mm thick, including monolithic screed where appropriate.
What is underneath a subfloor?
Underlayment The underlayment material is installed below the floor covering and placed on top of a sub-floor. Under the visible covering, there is a layer made of soft or foam-like materials with a thickness of between 1/4- or 1/2-inch.
Can you use plywood as flooring?
Plywood floors are suitable for any room where you’d otherwise install hardwood, though kitchens and bathrooms are less desirable since frequent water spills are likely. A 1½-in thick, 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of CDX plywood (the kind used in subflooring) sells for around $15.
What size screws 3/4 plywood subfloor?
You’ll want the screw to go about an inch past the plywood into the joist or underlying layer beneath it. So if your subfloor is 3/4 of an inch thick, any screw about 1 3/4 inches long will do the trick. If the plywood subfloor you’re placing is 5/8 of an inch thick, you need a screw about 1 5/8 inches long.
Can I put new 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.
Can you waterproof subfloor?
Waterproof plywood for bathrooms is moisture-resistant and can be used for subfloors. 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.
Should subfloor go under walls?
Replacing a subfloor under a wall may become necessary if the subfloor is no longer structurally sound. A subfloor is the solid base underneath the floor covering that you depend on for the stability of both the floor and walls in a room.
What thickness OSB should be used for flooring?
Wood Products For decades, 23/32″-thick OSB has been the most commonly used thickness of OSB subflooring. But a simple switch to 7/8″ panels offers several advantages for accommodating a home’s energy efficiency and for ensuring the performance of finish materials and the overall feel of the floor.
Can I leave my deck untreated?
It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date.
Why can’t you use pressure treated wood inside?
Due to the types of chemicals in pressure treated wood, it is highly flammable. Depending upon the use indoors, that factor could present a danger. If there was a small fire that started indoor, it could easily erupt into an out of control blaze when fire reaches any pressure treated wood inside the home.
Why is pressure-treated lumber cheaper?
Affordability. Pressure-treated wood is notably cheaper than cedar, redwood, and other types of wood. And, because of its durability, you’re much less likely to experience a need for costly repairs in the future. It is a great choice for those operating on a smaller budget.
