Can I use plywood for flooring?
Interior plywood is designed for rooms that aren’t exposed to much moisture. They make a good subfloor for carpeting, tiles, vinyl, engineered wood laminate flooring and hardwood flooring. Almost every room of the house uses interior grade plywood including kitchens and baths.
What thickness plywood should I use for flooring?
Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood should be used for joists spaced further apart.
Do you have to use tongue and groove plywood for subfloor?
For subflooring, you use tongue and groove plywood. The tongue and groove are only along the 8 foot edges. On the four foot edges, your seams will fall on joist tops, so no need for tongue and groove.
Is plywood easy to install?
Installation Process Hanging Sheetrock is a laborious process that requires taping, mudding and extensive sanding before the wall can be primed and painted. Finished plywood can simply be nailed into place and requires no other effort. Plywood is a lighter material and can be installed by one person.
What plywood is good for flooring?
Interior plywood is ideal for rooms not exposed to moisture, such as bedrooms, and makes a good subfloor for carpeting, tiles, vinyl, engineered wood laminate flooring and hardwood flooring. Exterior plywood is a better choice for bathrooms, kitchens and any other rooms exposed to water and moisture.
What thickness plywood should I use for bathroom flooring?
Consider what the top layer of the bathroom flooring will be since some types of plywood are better suited for different flooring. For hardwood, tongue-and-groove CDX plywood rated AC with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness is best. Specifically for subflooring, tongue-and-groove plywood is strong and will reduce squeaks.
Is sheetrock cheaper than plywood?
Drywall is cheaper than plywood – Most wood materials are expensive. Fixing drywall is also a lot cheaper and less time consuming than plywood. Drywall is slightly less durable than plywood, but that is reflected in the cost of the material as well.
How do you use plywood for flooring?
There are two ways of applying plywood flooring, either as a sub-floor for other finishes and as a visible, working surface. Sub-floors are typically applied in full sheet form on joists secured with screws or nails. The sheets are then clad with carpeting, cork, vinyl, or ceramic tile.
What size plywood do I use for a subfloor?
The thickness of your plywood subfloor depends on the joist spans. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends a minimum plywood panel thickness of 7/8-inch for joist spans of 19.2 to 24 inches, and a minimum plywood panel thickness of 5/8-inch for joist spans of 16 inches or less.
What type of plywood to use for a subfloor?
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.
How do you lay tile on plywood floor?
Laying tile over vinyl flooring on a plywood subfloor: Apply thin-set adhesive to the vinyl flooring with a notched trowel. Screw or nail 1/2″ cement backer board on top of the vinyl while the adhesive is still wet. Apply thin-set adhesive to any joints in the backer board.