wood subfloor. Most engineered flooring can be installed using staples, full spread adhesive or a floating method over an approved subfloor. Make sure you have a sturdy subfloor: 3/4-inch CDX plywood is preferred and 3/4-inch OSB is acceptable.
Underlayment is a thin layer of padding—usually foam, rubber, felt, or similar material—placed beneath hardwood floors. It serves multiple purposes, the biggest of which is moisture protection.
Wood floors are not as soft as cork options, providing little comfort as you walk through the home. An underlayment, though, will provide a small level of cushioning, creating a softer floor that you are sure to enjoy for years to come.
Most experts agree that the maximum tolerance for a subfloor is 3/16” over a ten-foot span. Any dips or mounds exceeding this measurement need to be addressed before installation.
wood subfloor. Most engineered flooring can be installed using staples, full spread adhesive or a floating method over an approved subfloor. Make sure you have a sturdy subfloor: 3/4-inch CDX plywood is preferred and 3/4-inch OSB is acceptable.
When moisture penetrates your flooring, it can cause mold, mildew, and the potential for water damage. A moisture barrier helps control the water vapor's movement to help protect your floors. Therefore, if you're installing floors in an area that sees moisture, even a little, a vapor barrier is needed.
Most modern vinyl flooring, such as Happy Feet, comes with an attached underlayment or pad, often with a moisture barrier built-in – unless the pad is cork. If the product you choose doesn't have an attached underlayment, you can almost always install directly over the subfloor without one.
What is the Best Underlayment for Hardwood Floors? Felt is used as underlayment for hardwood floors. It forms a hard surface without making the planks wet, which can cause them to warp. Cork is also a good choice, as it resists moisture and supports heavy loads on wood.
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.
But it's still commonly used and if you speak with builders or wood flooring installers or architects, you hear all sorts of reasons for the purpose of this paper: It prevents floor squeaks. It's a vapor barrier. It cuts down on dust.
For these traditional installation methods, the need for an underlayment can vary. A moisture barrier, while not always necessary, can provide extra protection. If you choose to use rosin paper, this can help prevent squeaks and offer minor resistance to moisture.
Without underlayment to add a layer between these damp subfloors and the surface flooring, your laminate can quickly become wet, warped, and mildewy, harming its overall integrity. Moisture over time can also break down floor adhesive which causes the floor to start warping.
It is beneficial to install hardwood floors with an underlayment. Despite the slight increase in cost and time, the added protection will benefit your floor long-term by reducing moisture. Additionally, increasing noise and evening out minor subfloor flaws without requiring substantial rework.
Thoroughly vacuum the existing floor, and use a long floor leveler and tape measure to ensure the subfloor is level within 3/16 inch for every 10 feet. You'll need to know how to level a floor: Just sand any high spots and fill the low spots with leveling compound.
black felt paper is rolled out over the wood subfloor prior to installing the new floor. This hardwood felt paper is necessary to greatly reduce the chance of any moisture coming up through the subfloor and will help protect the new hardwood flooring.
While underlayment isn't always necessary for your hardwood floors, there are always benefits to it. One of the most significant reasons to install underlayment is the added stability and durability. Underlayment provides support for your floor and helps smooth subfloor imperfections.
If you are stapling your floors, you'll still unroll the underlayment, then as you staple through your hardwoods during installation, you will staple right through your underlayment into the subfloor. We recommend using ¼” crown staples for this straightforward install.
Should I Use Treated Plywood for Subflooring? Using treated plywood for subflooring is generally unnecessary since the wood will be completely covered and hidden from access.
Hardwood has been a flooring option for thousands of years. It works well over any type of wood subfloor more than 1/2 an inch thick. If squeaky floors are an issue, some construction adhesive will keep everything nice and quiet. Laminate floors can be installed over any wooden subfloor as long as it's in good repair.
Flooring underlayment is not always necessary, primarily when you are using a flooring that has its own underlayment padding such as . But underlayment can help with a wide variety of issues, such as sound control in a cement floor application or cold floors in a basement for example.
Moisture Protection for Hardwood Floors
No matter what application you use hardwood wood for, wood absorbs moisture from air. Too much moisture and the wood will start to bow and not enough moisture, cracks and separates. Keeping the correct moisture level for your floor helps strength and durability.
Wood naturally expands and contracts with humidity and temperature, so installing an underlayment helps provide stability and support to your flooring. This assists in keeping boards from buckling, warping, or pulling at the seams.