Floor Underlayment Plywood Subfloor

Installation instructions must be followed.

Floor underlayment plywood subfloor.

A breathable foam type underlayment is generally used when installing laminate flooring over plywood or osb subfloors. Plywood underlayment is typically needed when a floor material must have a very smooth flat surface. Underlayment s special face and inner ply construction resists dents and punctures from concentrated loads. Cuts easily with a utility knife while strong enough to withstand extreme bending without breaking.

For example if you install resilient tiles or sheet flooring over a subfloor any bumps dips or voids in the subfloor may be evident in the finished flooring. Typically made of plywood or osb and ranging in thickness from 19 32 to 1 1 8 thick the subfloor is truly structural second only to joists in this respect. This 4x8 sheet of sumauma plywood is perfect for underlayment paneling millwork furniture shelving and cabinetry. In most cases you will not want to use a vapor barrier type underlayment when installing laminates on a standard plywood subfloor because wood is a natural material that needs to breathe.

Depending on when a home was built a. 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. The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. Underlayment is a special grade of apa plywood that is attached on top of the subfloor to provide a durable and resistant layer under finish flooring.

A subfloor is the structural sheathing that spans the floor joists. If you have a concrete slab floor the slab may be considered the subfloor. Underlayment covers subfloor flaws for the best possible results. It is very versatile.

In fact due to the problems that edge swelling creates underneath a finished floor a couple of national ceramic tile associations have discouraged the use of osb as a subfloor or underlayment. It s almost always completely hidden under some type of finished flooring material. Approved for use as an underlayment for carpeting hardwood and vinyl floor coverings. These panels have been repaired and sanded on both sides.

The face is generally light and even in color with small pin knots and streaks.