What is a basement subfloor?

What is a basement subfloor?

A basement subfloor is a layer that is built below the floor covering (carpeting, laminate, etc.) and above the bottom-most floor, usually concrete. Subfloors are not always necessary but they are beneficial wherever they can be installed.

What is a concrete subfloor?

The subfloor is the thick flat surface on which all other layers rest. The subfloor is the bottom-most layer and it rests on the joists. If you have a concrete slab floor, the slab may be considered the subfloor.

What are the different types of sub flooring?

There are four primary materials used as subfloor: plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), concrete, and high-performance panels. There are other subfloors materials out there, but they are used in more niche situations. The construction industry is constantly evolving.

Is a basement subfloor necessary?

The subfloor creates a gap between the concrete surface below and the floor finish above. This gap helps to manage moisture and assist in insulating the space. A basement subfloor is only necessary if you wish to turn your basement into a livable space with proper floor finishes.

Do you need subfloor over concrete?

Do I Need a Subfloor Over a Concrete Slab? While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you’ll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control.

What type of wood is used for sub flooring?

plywood
The subfloor is always a structural layer of sheet good material—usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), or occasionally particleboard. Of the two most common subfloor materials, builders often debate which is best: plywood or OSB.

Does concrete need a subfloor?

What is the best sub flooring?

Plywood. Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

What kind of flooring is good for a basement?

What basement flooring options and materials are the best? The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof.

Do I need a subfloor for laminate in basement?

Laminate flooring comes in simple-to-install pieces that snap together, making installation a cinch. Conventional laminate flooring is still an option for basements, but it will require the installation of a sub-floor in order to prevent moisture damage.