Sometimes it’s the things we don’t see that are supporting us behind the scenes. In the world of flooring, we’re talking about the subfloor. If you’ve never really thought about what’s under your flooring providing stability and longevity well, you’re not alone. However, if you’re thinking about renovating your floors it’s good to have a working knowledge of everything involved.
Subflooring in a Supporting Role
Your subfloor’s main job is to support the flooring materials above it. It contributes to your home’s overall structural integrity and serves as a stable foundation that helps distribute the weight of everything in your home evenly. It also provides a surface to which your flooring is attached. No matter what type of flooring you choose, having a well-prepped and level subfloor helps with installation. The even attachment prevents gaps or unevenness in the finished flooring that can cause squeaks and future issues.
Subflooring also acts as a moisture barrier. Whatever is under your home – ground, basement, or crawl space – has moisture that can seep upward. Too much moisture can lead to warping as well as mold growth and even premature deterioration of the flooring material. Quality subfloors also aid in noise reduction. The added insulation helps dampen the sounds of footsteps and other sounds from traveling through the house.
Types of Subflooring:
- Plywood Subfloor
Properly installed plywood subflooring offers a smooth and stable surface. It’s commonly used for hardwood flooring installations of all types. It is available in various thicknesses – the thicker the plywood the stronger the subfloor.
- Oriented Strand Board Subfloor
Commonly referred to as OSB this product is made of wood strands that have been compressed and glued together. This material is resistant to warping, offers good structural support, and is well-suited to go under a variety of flooring.
- Concrete Subfloor
Having a concrete subfloor is ideal if you have tile or stone flooring. Some engineered floors also install better over a concrete subfloor. This material requires appropriate moisture sealing and leveling to work correctly.
Even though you almost never see your subfloor it’s down there quietly doing its job. Part of the process of installing any new floor is to assess the current subfloor to be sure it is still in good condition. If you’re hearing pops or squeaks in your floor or seeing gaps it could be an issue in your subflooring. Give us a call if you have questions about repairs to subflooring or if you’re considering a new floor in the near future. We’re here to help.
