Osb Underlayment For Hardwood Floor

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.

Osb underlayment for hardwood floor. When installing hardwood choose a floor underlayment that provides a smooth surface over the subfloor. It specifies a minimum sheet thickness of 23 32. Plywood is only one type of underlayment. While underlayment may add a modest amount of stiffness to a floor assembly it does not strengthen a floor or enhance it structurally.

This underlayment for hardwood floors is more tear resistant and durable according to users. Other common types include cementboard or tile backer used under ceramic or stone tile foam underlayment used under laminate and engineered wood floating floors and rosin paper used under solid hardwood flooring. Because it makes use of leftover wood material osb tends to be cheaper than plywood and it is more uniform since it has none of the knots and other defects that may be present in plywood. Take at least 20 moisture readings per 1 000 square feet of subflooring.

Ensure that no fasteners are exposed or raised and that there is at least an 1 8 inch gap between osb subfloor panels. An underlayment is a necessity for any wood floor installation even on a plywood subfloor. Other osb negatives contractors builders and home remodelers have mixed opinions about the use of osb for flooring mostly tending toward the negative. The underlayment provides many benefits including moisture protection sound and thermal insulation and a cushion to make the floor more comfortable to walk on.

While rosin and tar paper are common options aquabar b underlayment from fortifiber is a top option. The warranty may require it. Osb oriented strand board is made from large flat chips arranged in as many as 50 layers which are adhered together with glues and pressed into sheets. Moisture contents of osb subflooring must be established prior to hardwood flooring installations.

Floormuffler ultraseal is the ideal choice for most laminate engineered and solid hardwood flooring applications and can used for floating nail down and double glue down installations. The slab should be flat prior to flooring and subflooring installation usually 1 8 in a 10 foot radius. Many high rise buildings throughout the united states have requirements for hardwood installation. Osb subfloor is mostly serving as a base under the finish floor hardwood engineered wood vinyl tile etc and even below the underlayment in some cases.

Floormuffler ultraseal flooring underlayment is a premium grade cross linked polypropylene foam with ultraseal self sealing lip and tape system. Hardwood floor installers use a modified underlayment on a building s second floor and any floors above that.