Subfloor Requirements For Laminate Flooring

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.

Subfloor requirements for laminate flooring.

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. Concrete is one of the most common types of subfloors found in homes. Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding. To test your subfloor for moisture you should always take a moisture reading.

Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. It s also the subfloor that can hold in the most moisture. Subfloors are the base layer on which all finish materials such as carpet laminate tile and wood are installed. The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor.

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. Not all laminate manufacturers have the same laminate flooring subfloor requirements. Other manufacturers will have a different requirement though flat and level is a common requirement. Flat and level laminate flooring subfloor.

Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. How to level a subfloor for laminate flooring. Materials not suitable for a laminate installation. No matter the flooring concrete subfloors should always be cured for at least 60 days before a flooring installation.

For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. If the laminate flooring is installed parallel to the direction of the floor joists the laminate flooring could develop distortion later. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy. Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors.

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. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile. 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.

The goal is to have a wooden subfloor consisting of two.