Subfloors

One of the essential parts of any establishment or building is its floor system. It’s these floor systems that carry the entire weight of the sidewalls, roof, foot traffic, furniture, appliances, and the list is endless. And this makes it evident that a well-designed and structured floor system determines the durability of the entire building. There’s this indigenous method of flooring that has been used for centuries – and people still employ it today to make the floors sturdy and robust. Yes, we’re talking about laying the subfloors. Seems interesting? Want to try them out? Yes? Explore everything about them in this guide!

Though it isn’t evident from merely looking at a floor from above, every flooring is a compilation of complex layers. And the subfloors are one among the various layers that include structural joists, underlayment, and surface flooring. Remember, you’re sure to find some form of subfloors beneath every type of floor. Whether plywood, vinyl, or carpet, choosing the right underlay for your floors is imperative for the floor’s durability. And yes, finding the best plywood for the subfloor to buy isn’t an easy task at all. That said, let’s take a look at the various types of underlays that you can install at your place for creating a robust base for your building.

The various types of subfloors to install for sturdy flooring.

Before we explore the various types and get to the crux of the matter, let’s first understand what exactly a subfloor is. A subfloor or underlay, as some like to call it, is a sort of cover for your basement. It elevates the floor itself and creates a sturdy shield to prevent water from seeping through. You can certainly think of it as an impenetrable barrier that helps keep the floors dry. In short, they’re the ‘foundation for the floors of any building’. Luckily, for you can find several types of underlays on the market today. Below we’re compiled a few popular one’s for you with their details.

The plywood for building a subfloor

Plywood is one of the most common subfloors out here. In fact, until the 1980s it was the only types of underlay that single-family homes used for sturdy floors. The plywood is an aggregate of fabricates sheets of wood veneer. Manufacturers bond the sheets of wood veneer with special adhesives under pressure and heat to make the finest plywood. And because these layers are cross-laminated and layers, the resulting plywood is incredibly sturdy and not susceptible to any contraction or expansion. Also, you’ll usually find plywood in interlocking sheets that measure 4-foot by 8-foot.

Laying subfloor with Oriented Strand Board

The Oriented Strand Board or OSB, got its name because manufacturers create it by taking strands of 3- to 4-inch wood and layering them in a crossing pattern. They then glue them together by pressing and creating a board. The resulting board is denser and absorbs less water than plywood. Just like the plywood, you need nails and glue to install these floors on to the joists. Generally, speaking, you install a ¾-inch thick bamboo floor on top of the ¾-inch thick OSB subfloor. Additionally, you place the planks at 90-degree angle across the floor joists. This arrangement stabilises and strengths the whole flooring system.

The concrete slab subfloor over concrete

Do you think that all your moisture problems would be solved by pouring concrete subfloors? Well, concrete is susceptible as well. Concrete slabs typically measure 4 to 6 inches in thickness and weigh around 3500-5500 pounds per square inch. Besides, manufacturers construct them using water, that takes months to dry out. Because of this, you’d need to test your slabs before you install them on your finished floors. One of the easy ways to check the moisture retention capacity is to tape a few sheets of plastic down on several areas of your slabs. Then observe for a few days. If moisture develops under your plastic sheets, then your slab isn’t dry. It’s best not to install hard floors onto concrete slabs.

The DIY basement subfloor

Floor underlays aren’t always necessary. You only need them when you want to expand strength downwards and make your basement warm and cosy. By the way, before you start your DIY floors, know that you can install tiles or concrete over concrete slabs. Whereas, it’s best to install hardwood floors on top of the plywood underlays. Also, make sure that you get the right materials of floors before you start your projects. Moreover, you’ll also need the perfect nails, fasteners and other essential tools to do a DIY subfloor. You could always take a few tips from the pro for a much ideal build.