What thickness subfloor is recommended?

The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood should be used for joists spaced further apart.

How thick should my 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. There are several factors that determine what subfloor thickness is optimal for added benefits like insulation.

What thickness of plywood is used for subfloor?

The thicknesses are as follows: 7/16-, 15/32- and 1/2-inch-thick panels require joists spaced 16 inches on center; 19/32- and 5/8-inch-thick panels require joists spaced 20 inches on center. For retrofitting older construction, 23/32- and 3/4-inch-thick panels can be used over 24-inch on center joists.

How thick should subfloor be for hardwood floors?

For hardwood finish flooring, which average about 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch in thickness, 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch-thick plywood is the preferred subfloor, though there are a variety of grades designed for specific applications. Using tongue-and-groove plywood can reduce squeaks, as the sheets will seat together better.

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.

3 Tips for Strong Sub-Floors

Do you nail or screw subfloor?

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 is the best subfloor material?

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.

Do you need two layers of subfloor?

The subfloor has to be attached to the joists, and two subfloor layers glued together or just nailed through to the joists, is no different than one thicker subfloor layer.

What is the best plywood 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 is the best subfloor for hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring: Plywood is the best subfloor for hardwood flooring installation. CDX plywood ranging from 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick and rated A/C will serve well for any hardwood flooring installation. Tongue-and-groove plywood is available to reduce squeaks and help the subfloor fit together better.

How thick should plywood be to walk on?

The thinner plywood is acceptable when the joist spacing is 16 inches. If you plan to finish the floor in the attic and turn the room into a living space, however, you should always use 3/4-inch plywood. Thinner plywood can flex when you walk on it -- even with 16-inch spacing -- and this will damage the flooring.

Which is stronger OSB or plywood?

Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?

If you are using plywood for your subfloor, you should use a minimum of one layer that is between ¾” and ⅝” thick. This thickness will suffice for most floors; however, codes will vary and a second layer is a good idea if your floor covering is going to be a heavy material like ceramic tiles or natural stone.

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.

Is OSB good for subfloor?

Some builders prefer OSB over plywood for flooring because the surface, when new, is always clean, flat, and knot-free. Since OSB is so dense, it's a good soundproofing product. OSB is a more consistent product than plywood or other types of material for subfloor: every sheet is the same.

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.

Should I use treated plywood for subfloor?

There's no need to worry about making treated wood safer that is completely covered in other materials and hidden from access, such as subflooring. Pressure treated wood doesn't release any gases or particulates that could harm you and your family.

Is OSB cheaper than plywood?

OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood. OSB is considered by many to be a “green” building material because it can be made from smaller-diameter trees, such as poplars, that are often farmed.

Can you use plank subfloor as floor?

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.

Should I put tar paper under subfloor?

Foam, felt and rubber are the best choices for laminate underlayment. Do not select tar paper to go under laminate or vinyl flooring, because the odor can penetrate the air and the fumes can be toxic, according to Uooz.

Is half inch plywood good for floor?

The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood should be used for joists spaced further apart.

Do you need a moisture barrier on wood subfloor?

Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?" The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.

Do walls go on top of subfloor?

1 Answer. Show activity on this post. Utterly standard - the subfloor goes on, then the walls go up. Doing it any other way is rather fraught with difficulties to no benefit.

What thickness is 23 32 plywood?

Plywood is often sold in ¹/₄“, ¹/₂“, or ³/₄” nominal thicknesses, but the actual thickness is often ¹/₃₂” thinner. Because the actual thickness may vary measuring the plywood is the only accurate way to determine its thickness. A ³/₄” sheet is actually ²³/₃₂” thick. A ¹/₂” sheet is actually ¹⁵/₃₂” thick.

What is the difference between OSB and plywood?

Plywood is made of many layers of very thin wood, called plys, pressed together with glue. It may be given a veneer ² top of hardwood, while the inner layers are typically made of softwood. OSB is made of many smaller pieces of hardwood and softwood mixed together in strands.