Hardwood Floor Subfloor Prep

Check clearance at the doorways.

Hardwood floor subfloor prep.

The typical recommended thickness of the sub floor is. Look beneath the surface the key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor. Measure carefully to ensure that the plywood is an appropriate fit. If a floor plank and underlayment or adhesive will not fit under the door casing cut the casing with a backsaw about 1 16 inch above the level of the new flooring.

If you are nailing the hardwood floor in place choose cementitious leveling compound that you can nail through. Shim areas increase vertical height. Often plywood will loosen from the floor joists over time. If you have any squeaky areas before the hardwood is installed take care of it before it s too late.

About the floor prep before i continue. Learn how to prepare for hardwood floor installation. Wood sub floors should be screwed to the underlying floor joists at 6 inch intervals. 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. Cover your existing subfloor area where new vinyl flooring will be installed with 1 4 inch plywood. Preparing for hardwood floor installation will produce the best results possible. You can have these pieces cut by a lumber yard or use a circular saw on the job site.

Here s a step by step guide to help you prepare a wood subfloor for luxury vinyl. Decking screws work the best to keep both tight against one another. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile.

Remove all baseboards to create the appropriate gap at the floor edges for expansion as recommended by the manufacturer. Make sure they re snug. Use builder s felt or shingles stapled to the floor to fill small low spots if you. Preparing for hardwood floor installation will produce the best results possible.

Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling.