Subfloor Requirements For Laminate Flooring

Concrete is one of the most common types of subfloors found in homes.
Subfloor requirements for laminate flooring. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. The flooring must be installed crossing the floor joists at a 90 degree angle. 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.
Other manufacturers will have a different requirement though flat and level is a common requirement. 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.
The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor. The goal is to have a wooden subfloor consisting of two. 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. It s also the subfloor that can hold in the most moisture.
For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy. Subfloors are the base layer on which all finish materials such as carpet laminate tile and wood are installed. Flat and level laminate flooring subfloor.
If the laminate flooring is installed parallel to the direction of the floor joists the laminate flooring could develop distortion later. A subfloor is the bottom most structural level of your floor. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. To test your subfloor for moisture you should always take a moisture reading.
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. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile. Not all laminate manufacturers have the same laminate flooring subfloor requirements. Materials not suitable for a laminate installation.
How to level a subfloor for laminate flooring.