What is a Subfloor?

In the event that you're contemplating new flooring or home renovation work, you've undoubtedly heard the phrase "subfloor." But what is a subfloor exactly, and why is it crucial to the structure of your house? Let's simplify it so you can understand all the information without becoming bogged down in technical construction speak. 

What is the Purpose of Subflooring?

Imagine building a house. You'd want a solid foundation to keep everything stable, right? Well, in the world of flooring, the subflooring is just that—a foundational layer that sits between the bare floor joists and the surface flooring (like your hardwoods or tiles). It’s the hero that supports your decorative floor and takes the daily foot traffic.

The Subfloor has a Few Critical Jobs

- Sturdy and Level Surface: You and your family are the most important thing on this sturdy, level platform, which supports all the items above it, including appliances and furniture.

-Structural Integrity: Preserving structural integrity keeps your floor from sinking and prevents the appearance of a trampoline by evenly distributing weight over the floor joists.

The subfloor under your gorgeous hardwood or plush carpet is prepared to shield and extend the life of the flooring material you've selected. It functions as the surface flooring's foundation.

 What is a Subfloor Made Of?

Subfloors are typically made from materials that are tough, durable, and can handle a bit of moisture without warping. The most common subflooring materials include:

- Plywood: Plywood subfloor is a cost-effective and widely used material because of its strength and speed of installation. In order to increase strength, layers of wood veneers are adhered to one another with their grains pointing in opposing directions.

- Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Consisting of compacted layers of wood strands coupled with adhesives, OSB subfloor is comparable to plywood but often less expensive. It is resilient to stress and weight and is strong.

- Concrete: Often used in basements or where the ground itself serves as the base, concrete subfloors are super durable and excellent for homes without basements.

Understanding the Full Flooring System

It's useful to picture the entire flooring system in order to completely understand the function of a subfloor:

Joists

These are the backbone of your floor. Joists are horizontal beams that run underneath everything else. They support the load of the floor and everything on it, from your furniture to your footsteps.

Subfloor

Right above the joists lies the subfloor. Plywood, OSB, or concrete are typically used for this, depending on the location and design of your house. All other components that are placed on top of the subfloor have a sturdy foundation.

Underlayment

This layer provides comfort and durability, although it's not always necessary. Moreover, different materials like rubber, foam, or cork can be used to make underlayment. It also aids in insulation and soundproofing. It smoothes down the upper flooring. Underlayment works as a barrier to keep moisture out when it's a problem.

Flooring

The portion of the surface that is visible to you and that you walk on is called the flooring. Whatever you want: tile, carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood. The installation process, cost, and feel of each type of flooring vary. Choosing the perfect one depends on your lifestyle, the function of the room, and, of course, your taste in design.

Types of Subflooring

Different types of flooring might require different types of subflooring. Here's a brief rundown:

1. Oriented Strand Board

OSB is a collection of wood chips combined with glue and pressed into a robust panel. Because it is affordable and yet powerful, it is quite popular among builders. A drawback? It dislikes getting wet, so keep it away from excess water.

2. Plywood

This classic is incredibly robust and is manufactured by bonding together thin pieces of wood. The plywood subfloor is a dependable option for locations that could get a little wet since it resists moisture better than OSB. Although it is somewhat more expensive, many people think the increased durability is worth it.

3. Particle Board

Looking for something easy on the budget? A particle board might be your match. It’s made from wood particles or chips glued together into sheets. It’s super smooth, making it a breeze to install finish flooring on top. Just be careful with moisture.

4. Concrete

Concrete subflooring is as durable as it comes, making it ideal for basements and ground floors. It laughs in the face of dampness and is absurdly durable.  The trade-off is that you may want to add extra layers of carpeting or another form of flooring since it might feel chilly and hard underfoot.

Wrap Up

Keep in mind that what's below matters just as much as what's above when organizing your next flooring job. You should absolutely not miss the stage of properly installing the subfloor in a house, whether you're doing it yourself or hiring an expert.

Feel free to explore our range at BuildMyPlace or use our video call feature to speak directly with a flooring expert. We’re here to help you build your perfect place from the ground up!