Subfloor Requirements For Laminate Flooring

The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor.

Subfloor requirements for laminate flooring.

No matter the flooring concrete subfloors should always be cured for at least 60 days before a flooring installation. The goal is to have a wooden subfloor consisting of two. It s also the subfloor that can hold in the most moisture. Not all laminate manufacturers have the same laminate flooring subfloor requirements.

A flat and level surface is. Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors. For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy.

Laminate flooring thinner laminate type flooring can be installed over osb subfloor over the recommended foam pad. The flooring must be installed crossing the floor joists at a 90 degree angle. Measure and cut 1 4 inch or thicker plywood with a circular saw to fit the entire floor of the room where you are installing vinyl flooring. How to level a subfloor for laminate flooring.

To test your subfloor for moisture you should always take a moisture reading. A subfloor is the bottom most structural level of your floor. Most but not all laminate floor manufacturers require a subfloor to be flat within 3 16 over a 10 foot radius. Other manufacturers will have a different requirement though flat and level is a common requirement.

If the laminate flooring is installed parallel to the direction of the floor joists the laminate flooring could develop distortion later. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. The building code for the subfloor is to ensure structural loads are adequate from a safety perspective not necessarily from a wood flooring performance perspective. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile.

Subfloors are the base layer on which all finish materials such as carpet laminate tile and wood are installed. With much of today s wood flooring being thinner wider plank installed on the minimum building code panel thicknesses we are seeing more creaks pops and squeaks. Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width.

Flat and level laminate flooring subfloor.