Table of Contents
How much does it cost to build a subfloor?
The national average materials cost to install a subfloor is $3.05 per square foot, with a range between $2.85 to $3.25. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $12.20, coming in between $8.27 to $16.12. A typical 300 square foot project costs $3,659.05, with a range of $2,481.75 to $4,836.34.
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.
What is the best material to use for subflooring?
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 do you build a subfloor over dirt?
Level the floor with a rake and then compress the dirt with a tamp to create a solid surface. Cover the dirt floor with a layer of 10-mil plastic sheeting to serve as a vapor barrier, which will keep moisture from seeping through the dirt and onto your wood floor.
Is plywood a subfloor?
The subfloor is always a structural layer of sheet good material—usually plywood or OSB, or occasionally particleboard. Of the two most common subfloor materials, builders often debate which is best: plywood or OSB. OSB (oriented strand board) is a different form of sheet material.
Should you nail or screw subfloor?
Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. If using nails for subfloor installation, stick with ring-shank nails; smooth nails may withdraw easier, leading to squeaks.
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.
How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?
The first is to lay two layers of 3/8-inch plywood over the slab without fastening or gluing them to the slab. One layer is laid, and the second layer is stapled or glued perpendicularly or diagonally over the top.
Can sheathing plywood be used for subfloor?
Like Sturd-I-Floor, Rated Sheathing may be plywood or OSB. When used as a subfloor, Rated Sheathing typically requires installation of an additional layer of underlayment on top of it before finish flooring can be applied. The underlayment requirements vary depending on the finish flooring.
What type of plywood should be used 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.
What flooring can you put over dirt?
Artificial deck turf is another option for outdoor flooring over dirt or grass that can be installed over irregular ground when an under tile is used. Turf is made with durable and flexible plastic material, which allows the turf to adjust to uneven surfaces.
What are 3 common subfloor materials?
When it comes to a home flooring system, there are typically four subfloor options to choose from. Oriented Strand Board. Often mistakenly referred to as “plywood,” oriented strand board is the most common material used for a subfloor. Plywood. Particleboard. Concrete.
How far can you SPAN 1 2 plywood?
g. Maximum span 24 inches for 15/32-and 1/2-inch panels.
Is MDF good for subfloor?
Modern density fiber (MDF) is an excellent choice for your underlayment since it’s cost-effective and easy to work with. You can use MDF as underlayment but it is best used in areas not prone to moisture. MDF sheets of 18-22mm are a high-density material that provides a consistent finish and resistance.
Does plywood need expansion gap?
APA recommends a 1/8-inch space between panel edge and end joints. Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), like all wood products, will expand or shrink slightly with changes in moisture content. If the wood structural panels are tightly butted, there is no room for expansion and buckling can occur.
How far apart should screws be on subfloor?
Generally, nails (6d ring or screw shank, or 8d common) should be spaced 6 inches on center along supported panel edges and 12 inches on center on the panels’ interior supports, or as specified on the construction drawings.
Can I use drywall screws for subfloor?
Whatever you do, don’t use drywall screws for the subfloor. Under the stress of regular wear and tear, drywall screw heads usually snap off if they are employed in the subfloor. It’s better to use screws whose features are specifically engineered to work for securing subfloor plywood in place.
Is it code to glue subfloor?
The answer: Glue. Although using a subfloor adhesive (or subfloor glue) is not required by code, it is a standard practice that can help prevent floor squeaks by reducing the chance for movement at the panel-to-joist connection. A quality subfloor adhesive will also increase the overall stiffness of the floor.
Is pine plywood good for 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.
How much does a 4×8 sheet of plywood cost?
How much does plywood cost? Type Thickness Average Price (4×8) Treated 3/8 $40 to $50 Treated 1/2 $50 to $65 Treated 3/4 $60 to $75 Hardwood (birch or oak) 1/4 $20 to $40.
How do you waterproof a subfloor?
Caulk any seams where two pieces of plywood are butted together. Dab caulk onto nail or screw heads to seal the potential leak point they provide. Caulk any splits in the wood or any other areas that may provide a point for water to seep under the subfloor.
