Subfloor Requirements For Laminate Flooring

Materials not suitable for a laminate installation.

Subfloor requirements for laminate flooring.

Subfloors are the base layer on which all finish materials such as carpet laminate tile and wood are installed. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy.

In some instances you might be able to install your flooring over an existing floor but it is important to check prior to installation if it is a suitable material. A subfloor is the bottom most structural level of your floor. No matter the flooring concrete subfloors should always be cured for at least 60 days before a flooring installation. To test your subfloor for moisture you should always take a moisture reading.

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. Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors. Flat and level laminate flooring subfloor. The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor.

For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile. Most but not all laminate floor manufacturers require a subfloor to be flat within 3 16 over a 10 foot radius. A flat and level surface is.

Not all laminate manufacturers have the same laminate flooring subfloor requirements. 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. Laminate flooring thinner laminate type flooring can be installed over osb subfloor over the recommended foam pad. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling.

The flooring must be installed crossing the floor joists at a 90 degree angle. How to level a subfloor for laminate flooring. Other manufacturers will have a different requirement though flat and level is a common requirement. The goal is to have a wooden subfloor consisting of two.

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.