Subfloor Requirements For Laminate Flooring

A subfloor is the bottom most structural level of your floor.

Subfloor requirements for laminate flooring.

How to level a subfloor for laminate flooring. Most but not all laminate floor manufacturers require a subfloor to be flat within 3 16 over a 10 foot radius. Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors. To test your subfloor for moisture you should always take a moisture reading.

A flat and level surface is. Concrete is one of the most common types of subfloors found in homes. 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.

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. The flooring must be installed crossing the floor joists at a 90 degree angle. Subfloors are the base layer on which all finish materials such as carpet laminate tile and wood are installed. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy.

If the laminate flooring is installed parallel to the direction of the floor joists the laminate flooring could develop distortion later. Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding. 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. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile.

The goal is to have a wooden subfloor consisting of two. 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 building code for the subfloor is to ensure structural loads are adequate from a safety perspective not necessarily from a wood flooring performance perspective.

Flat and level laminate flooring subfloor. Materials not suitable for a laminate installation. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. Not all laminate manufacturers have the same laminate flooring subfloor requirements.

No matter the flooring concrete subfloors should always be cured for at least 60 days before a flooring installation.