Does subfloor need to be tongue and groove?

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. But to start off, we will need to remove the tongue so the plywood is tight with the exterior ICF walls.

Can you use regular plywood for subfloor?

Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Do I need to use tongue and groove plywood?

Tongue-and-groove plywood is superior to regular plywood for floor decks because it creates a stronger, more rigid subfloor, and helps eliminate sagging and "bounce" at the seams between the joists. But it is also more difficult to install because the tight-fitting joints don't always go together easily.

What is the best board for subfloor?

Plywood. 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.

Does subfloor need gap?

To avoid buckling, subfloor panels should be spaced with a 1/8-inch gap at all edges and ends to provide room for naturally occurring expansion.

Installing the Subfloor

Should subfloor be screwed or nailed?

Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower.

What size plywood should be used for a subfloor?

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.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it's a superior material for use on the subfloor.

Is OSB OK for subfloor?

Around the 1990s, OSB began to make in-roads into the plywood market for subflooring. Most local codes allow OSB to be used for subflooring. It's always best to check with your local permitting office before using OSB for your subfloor. One advantage that OSB has over plywood is its larger formatting.

Can I use MDF board as 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.

Can I use OSB tongue and groove subfloor?

The type of OSB used for subfloors generally is made with tongue-and-groove edges (T & G). The standard subfloor for joists spaced up to 16 inches apart is 23/32-inch T & G sheets.

Does tongue and groove add strength?

The tongue-and-groove joint doesn't add strength, but it does help to distribute loads to adjacent panels, improving the perceived stiffness of the floor. T&G plywood was developed as a labor-saving alternative to installing solid wood blocking at unsupported panel edges.

What is underneath a subfloor?

Underlayment

The underlayment material is installed below the floor covering and placed on top of a subfloor. Under the visible covering, there is a layer made of soft or foam-like materials with a thickness of between 1/4 – 1/2-inch.

Can you just have a subfloor?

Concrete subflooring is acceptable as regular flooring, as long as it's in a moisture-proof environment. Consider the long-term effects of leaving your subflooring exposed.

Can I just use subfloor?

Can You Paint Subfloor? I am saving money by not replacing the flooring. I will eventually add new carpet or hardwood, but for now I am happy with simply painting the subfloor. Yes, subfloor can be painted successfully and last for years.

What size screws 3/4 plywood subfloor?

The proper steel screw sizes for securing 3/4-inch plywood to the floor joists are #8, #10 and #12 screws. The number refers to the thickness of the screw. Each is available in lengths from 1 1/4 to 3 inches. Typically, the 3-inch variety is used to secure plywood subfloors.

Can I use 7/16 OSB for subfloor?

Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a wood structural panel that can also be used for flooring. It is made from shredded strands of wood pressed together with wax and a special adhesive, then hot pressed into a panel with up to 50 layers of strands. OSB can be used for subfloors, although it is not as common as CDX.

What is the most durable subfloor?

How do I protect my subfloor from moisture?

What can I use instead of a subfloor?

What is this? The most affordable alternatives to plywood are undoubtedly particle boards. Made by condensing wood particles, particle boards are also much more lightweight than plywood and MDF. Its slick and smooth finish makes it a great flooring material.

Can you use sanded plywood for subfloor?

Plywood Grade

However these letter grades don't represent structural properties. They're all about cosmetics. Higher grade plywood is made of better looking wood that's sanded and sometimes stain grade. Premium grade plywood is most commonly used for making furniture or cabinetry and not as a subfloor material.

Can you use non structural plywood for flooring?

However non structural plywood, as the name suggests, is not a good fit for exterior or structural purposes. It is often used for ceilings, wall linings, furniture and aesthetic design or decorative applications.

Can you put too many screws in a subfloor?

The subflooring will break quickly when the screws are placed closely together. This means that the subflooring will need to be replaced that much sooner because the floors just will not be able to hold up. Also, you want to be sure not to space the screws too far apart from each other.

Should I glue plywood to 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.

What goes on top of subfloor?

Underlayment: Some types of flooring can be installed directly on top of the subfloor, such as vinyl flooring. Other types need a middle layer, called underlayment, such as laminate,carpet and tile.