What flooring can go directly over plywood?

Author: Llewellyn Kihn  |  Last update: Thursday, September 7, 2023

3/4" Thick Solid Wood Flooring and most all other hardwood flooring including Engineered or Floating engineered wood flooring and Laminate floors can be installed directly over 5/8" or 3/4" thick CDX plywood sub floors.

What flooring can you put over plywood?

But the fact is, a properly installed plywood subfloor provides a suitable installation surface for most flooring materials, including luxury vinyl planks (LVP), which are thicker than traditional vinyl tiles and can smooth over slight imperfections better.

What is the best flooring over plywood subfloor?

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.

What is the cheapest way to cover plywood floors?

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to give a floor a new look is to paint over your plywood subfloor. It gives an amazing wow factor and a unique look to your home.

What is the best thing to cover plywood?

3 Ways to Finish Plywood Edges
  1. Apply Wood Filler. The first and most obvious way to cover a plywood edge is with wood filler. ...
  2. Attach a Face Board. Another way to conceal the edge of the plywood is to cover it with a solid board. ...
  3. Apply Edge Banding.

How to Lay Tile Over Plywood

Can you put wood flooring over plywood?

Either solid wood flooring or engineered wood flooring can be fitted onto a plywood subfloor. Before installing either type of hardwood floor, ensure that the existing wooden floor boards are flat, level and dry.

Can you put laminate flooring directly on plywood?

Laminate floors can be installed directly over concrete, plywood, OSB, parquet, vinyl and tile. The underlayment must be applied to the original flooring surface first, and then the floating floor can be installed.

Will vinyl plank flooring stick to plywood?

Yes, provided it meets the specifications required for subfloor preparation.

How do you cover plywood floors?

Prep Work for Painting a Plywood SubFloor
  1. If your floor has any splintered parts, it will need to be sanded. ...
  2. Clean your floor well. ...
  3. Let the wood dry.
  4. Use paintable caulk to fill any seams of large gouges. ...
  5. Let the caulk dry.
  6. Apply primer to the wood.
  7. Paint around the edges of the room with a paintbrush.

Do you need underlayment for laminate flooring on plywood?

Underlayment for laminate flooring is a must. Since laminate is a floating floor, it must be evenly distributed across your subfloor. Underlayment is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support, noise reduction, and supports the locking systems in between planks to assure the sturdiest flooring project.

Is plywood strong enough for flooring?

Plywood Is A Good Material For Your Flooring

The solid timber is shaped into flooring panels and may be applied with multiple layers of protective coatings to add resistance against external factors that may cause damages to the panels.

Can you put epoxy flooring over plywood?

Certainly! There are two approaches to this process. One process is to install a self-leveling concrete over plywood followed by an epoxy system. The second approach is to install a flexible epoxy coating over plywood followed by a typical self-leveling epoxy mortar.

Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring on plywood?

Plywood Subfloor: With plywood, an added moisture barrier isn't necessary, but you will want one that offers more comfort and reduces sound noise. Existing Floors: The idea remains the same when installing over plywood, tile, vinyl, and hardwood - the underlayment should provide sound reduction and comfort.

Does LVP need underlayment on plywood subfloor?

For vinyl flooring installations over wood subfloors, you will not need to worry about a moisture barrier, but you may want an underlayment for added cushion or sound reduction. It may also be a requirement in certain HOA or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring.

What goes between plywood and laminate flooring?

Underlayment, or “padding” as it's often called, is the spongy, closed-cell plastic foam sheet that comes in rolls. It is rolled out between the actual laminate flooring planks and the subfloor.

Do you need vapor barrier on plywood subfloor?

Your plywood would most likely be on a sleeper system (floating wood planks on concrete). Having a vapor barrier below the sleepers is ideal as moisture will not get to the plywood. Regarding on-grade applications, if their is a basement underneath, then you will not need a vapor barrier on top of the plywood.

What is the best underlayment for laminate flooring on plywood subfloor?

While there are a number of good options in the market, cork and foam are the usual favorites for a laminate floor underlay. Depending on your lifestyle, you may appreciate cork for its thickness and sound absorption; foam, on the other hand, is an excellent, cost-efficient material that works as a moisture barrier.

How do you seal plywood for indoor use?

Plywood can be waterproofed with paint, polyurethane, or epoxy finish. Lightly sand the plywood with 180 grit sandpaper, clean off any sawdust, and apply the finish with a brush or by pouring the finish on if using epoxy. That's a general overview, but lets look a little bit deeper into the specifics of each method.

How do you make cheap plywood look good?

Tips for Making Plywood Look Good
  1. Choose a High-Quality Plywood.
  2. Smooth the Surface by Sanding.
  3. Fill Cracks With Grain Filler.
  4. Stain the Surface.
  5. Paint the Surface.
  6. Add Polyurethane.
  7. Texture the Surface.
  8. Use a Drying Oil.

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