Are subfloors always made of wood?

Typically, a subfloor is made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) panels. In areas that are below grade, such as a basement, the concrete foundation is often considered the subfloor, though plywood and OSB panels can be installed over concrete using ground-level floor joists called sleepers.

What kind of subfloor do I need?

Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Is a subfloor necessary?

Everybody needs normal subflooring at the very least since finished flooring is not designed to be attached to joists and wouldn’t be strong enough to hold the people walking on it by itself. Traditional hardwood flooring will require an additional subfloor on top of the concrete in order to be installed correctly.

Can you use subfloor as your floor?

Concrete subflooring is acceptable as regular flooring, as long as it’s in a moisture-proof environment. Consider the long-term effects of leaving your subflooring exposed.

What kind of wood is good for flooring?

The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.

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.

Is pine OK for subfloor?

Yes, you can use pine subfloors as primary flooring. In many older houses, the pine subfloor was the only floor and it held up well. Uncovered pine subflooring appeals to recycling enthusiasts as well as fans of distressed wood.