Why don t old houses have subfloors?

Adoption of new construction methods tended to take longer in rural areas than in larger towns. So if your house was in a rural area that could be a reason there is no subfloor, or it was the time subfloors were beginning to be used and only some people used them.

Is sub flooring necessary?

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: A subfloor will help insulate against a concrete floor that becomes overly cold in winter.

Do all homes have subfloor?

All houses have subfloors.

Can you install hardwood without subfloor?

When planning your installation, it’s important to keep in mind that a solid hardwood floor is only as good as its subfloor. A proper subfloor will be the unsung hero of your solid hardwood investment, while the wrong subfloor will cause you problems.

What can be used as subfloor?

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 is the purpose of subfloor?

The subfloor is the bottom most structure of the floor. It provides a flat and stable surface and supports the actual floor. Underlayment is different from the subfloor in that it rests between the subfloor and the actual floor.

What can I use as a subfloor?

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 is under a subfloor?

Underlayment: Some types of flooring can be installed directly on top of the subfloor, such as vinyl flooring. Other types need a middle layer, called underlayment, such as laminate,carpet and tile.

Does homeowners insurance cover subfloor replacement?

Insurance Coverage for Subfloor Water Damage In some cases, you may find that the water damage is so extensive that drying the subfloor after flooding is difficult. In such cases where the entire subfloor needs replacing, homeowners’ insurance will often cover subfloors’ replacement due to water damage.

What can I use for a subfloor?

Underlayment: This component is used in some flooring systems as a smooth flat surface for the subfloor. It consists of a thin layer of plywood, cement fiberboard or cement board….Best Subflooring Material for Finished Floors.

FINISHED FLOOR	SUBFLOOR	REASON
Hardwood	Plywood	Easier installation and compatibility

How do you replace a subfloor?

Full Answer. Pry up the floorboards with a crowbar and cut out the rotten subflooring with a circular saw. If the joists are still sturdy, replace the rotten subflooring with new plywood cut to fit the space in question and then nail down the new wood. It is possible to nail new plywood into place onto rotten subflooring,…

How to remove subfloor?

Start by removing the finished floor (hardwood flooring may be reusable once it dries,so be careful in the removal process) and exposing the subfloor.

Assess the damage and cut around it,then remove the damaged subfloor.

Measure the opening and cut a piece of OSB or plywood of the same thickness and dimensions as the subfloor you removed.

How to install a subfloor?

Use a T-square to mark the cut lines on the plywood.

Cut the plywood to size,running the circular saw across the width of the board.

Using the original sub-floor nails as a guide,mark the floor joist locations on the wall to know where to insert the screws.

Lay the plywood in place on the floor.

Run a chalk line off the floor joist to mark the wall. Then,drive deck screws every 8 inches along the line.

Bring in the cement board and lay it down on the plywood (Image 1). Screw the cement board into the plywood about every 6 inches (Image 2).

Is OSB a bad subfloor material?

Osb is acceptable as a subfloor material. Manufacturers have not seen a deluge of failures due to the use of osb under resilient flooring. However, they have received complaints of edge swelling that has telegraphed through their flooring products. Manufactures feel more comfortable guaranteeing their products when they are installed over plywood.