Osb Or Plywood Under Hardwood Flooring

It can also be used under hardwood laminate and carpet but this is much less common these days because subflooring is typically smooth enough for these materials many of which are installed with a different type of underlayment or pad.

Osb or plywood under hardwood flooring. Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles. Osb v plywood which is best. In addition to the visible surface flooring material the carpet tile or hardwood there is usually an underlayment and beneath that is a subfloor that serves as the foundation and structural reinforcement for the floor. So while exterior glued plywood can be used outdoors it works best.

Osb is actually as smooth as plywood and once it s covered by laminate flooring you ll never know it s there. When a roofless partially built structure takes on water the plywood or osb used for floor decking can absorb water swell delaminate and require sanding or replacement before finish flooring. The warranty may require it. While osb oriented strand board is generally cheaper than plywood it is heavier and not as stiff as plywood and can result in soft squeaky floors under weight the biggest complaint against osb is that it doesn t handle moisture very well so it is more suited for indoor use.

An underlayment is a necessity for any wood floor installation even on a plywood subfloor. Moisture also affects the strength of plywood. Most brands of hardwood flooring can be installed over concrete when plywood or osb subflooring panels have been installed over the concrete slab but it s wise to consult the manufacturer for any specific installation requirements. When you count sub floors roofs and wall sheathing osb claims about 70 of the wood sheathing market in north america over plywood.

Usually manufactured in 4 by 8 foot sheets plywood panels and osb are acceptable subfloors for hardwood flooring as long as they are the proper thickness. The subfloor consists of sheet materials that are nailed or screwed to the joists to. Keep in mind that for mechanically fastened floors osb doesn t hold fasteners as well as plywood so you need to use a thicker material to get the same holding power. Odds are that if you pass a housing development of wood framed houses it will have osb oriented strand board as exterior sheathing.

Builders often reserve the use of oriented stand board for residential sheathing and construct subfloors with plywood. The underlayment provides many benefits including moisture protection sound and thermal insulation and a cushion to make the floor more comfortable to walk on. How to install a wooden floor over osb. The slab should be flat prior to flooring and subflooring installation usually 1 8 in a 10 foot radius.