Installing Plywood Underlayment For Hardwood

Apply an adhesive approved for plywood installation and recommended by the plywood manufacturer.

Installing plywood underlayment for hardwood.

Sized in 4 by 8 foot sheets you can install a floor underlayment to wood. Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles. Install plywood underlayment smooth side up. The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor.

The warranty may require it. Cut plywood panels by 2 foot by 8 foot or 4 foot by 4 foot sections. For maximum stiffness install underlayment with the face grain perpendicular to floor joists and offset underlayment panel ends from subfloor panel ends by at least one joist space. 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.

The underlayment provides many benefits including moisture protection sound and thermal insulation and a cushion to make the floor more comfortable to walk on. For a sureply plywood underlayment installation without an expansion joint lightly butt the panels together without applying any pressure so they barely touch at the joints the second method is to install the sureply plywood underlayment panel with an expansion joint and using a seam filler. Plywood sheets are laid perpendicular to the subfloor with no common joints and no adhesives between the layers. The appearance of a floor is determined by the quality of subflooring and plywood underlayment is often the blessing or curse of an attractive room.

An underlayment is a necessity for any wood floor installation even on a plywood subfloor. We also provide plywood underlayment installation instructions for all three plywood underlayment panels. Materials include a minimum of 3 4 inch cd exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width.

Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy. Score the back of the panels half of the thickness on a 12 inch by 12 inch grid.