What Is A Subfloor?

Your floors may look simple, but they consist of multiple layers beneath them, one of which is the subfloor. The subfloor provides durability and structure to your floors.

At McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC, we are your local flooring company in Pittsburgh, PA. In this article, we will walk you through what a subfloor is and all the other things you should know about it.  

What Is Subflooring? 

A subfloor is basically the foundational layer under your visible flooring that provides structural support for your entire floor system. It is strong, stable, and very important for the overall integrity of your home's floors. 

While you might never see your subfloor, it plays a really important role in ensuring your floors remain level, stable, and capable of withstanding daily wear and tear.

Essentially, the subfloor serves multiple purposes. It creates a smooth, even surface for installing your finished flooring, distributes weight evenly across floor joists, and helps prevent potential issues like sagging, bouncing, or uneven surfaces. 

Without a proper subfloor, your beautiful hardwood, tile, or carpet would quickly show signs of damage and deterioration.

What Are The Different Types of Subflooring Materials?

Now that you know what subflooring is, we will quickly discuss some common subflooring materials that you can choose for your home.

#1 Plywood Subflooring

Plywood is one of the most popular and traditional subflooring materials. It consists of multiple layers of wood veneer pressed and glued together to create a strong, stable panel. 

What makes plywood a great choice for subflooring is its also resistance to warping and its ability to hold fasteners well. 

You'll find that plywood subflooring comes in various thicknesses, generally ranging from ¼-inch to 3/4-inch, allowing you to choose based on your specific needs.

#2 Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

OSB is another common choice for base flooring that has gained popularity in the last few years. Engineered wood flooring is made by compressing and bonding wood strands together, in which the top layer is of solid hardwood with other underlying layers of OSB and plywood. 

While it's generally more affordable than plywood, OSB still provides excellent structural support for your flooring system. It's resistant to delamination, which makes it a practical choice for your subflooring needs.

#3 Concrete Subflooring

Concrete subflooring is generally found in basements and ground-level floors. It provides an extremely stable and durable foundation for your flooring and subflooring system. 

While concrete may look basic, it's incredibly versatile and can support virtually any type of finished flooring. 

You'll often find concrete subflooring in newer homes, especially in areas where moisture might be a concern.

#4 Engineered Wood Panels

Engineered wood panels are designed specifically for subflooring applications. They generally come with tongue-and-groove edges that help create a more secure connection between panels. 

What makes engineered wood panels different is their better stability and moisture resistance compared to traditional wood products.

What Are The Common Signs Of A Damaged Subfloor?

As a homeowner, it is very important to catch the signs of damaged floors as soon as possible to avoid any expensive repairs. Here we will discuss some common indicators that your subfloor is damaged. 

#1 Squeaky or Noisy Floors

If you notice persistent squeaking or creaking when walking across your floors, this could indicate that your subfloor has become loose or damaged. These sounds often occur when the subfloor begins separating from the joists beneath.

#2 Uneven or Sagging Areas

When you have dips, soft spots, or uneven areas on your floor, it's often a sign that your subflooring has weakened. This can happen because of moisture damage or structural issues that need immediate attention.

#3 Bouncy or Springy Floors

If your floors feel spongy or have too much give when you walk on them, this could indicate that your subfloor has been compromised. A healthy subfloor should feel solid and stable under your feet.

#4 Visible Water Damage

Dark spots, discoloration, or warping in your visible flooring might indicate water damage in your subflooring below. This is particularly common in bathrooms, kitchens, or areas near exterior doors.

#5 Musty Odors

Sometimes, before you see any visible signs, you might smell a musty odor coming from your floors. This often indicates mold or mildew growth in your subflooring due to moisture problems.

While it is crucial to spot these signs of damage, there are also ways you can minimize the risk of issues with your subfloors. 

How to Prevent Rot and Damage to Your Subflooring

Protecting your subflooring from damage is very important for maintaining the integrity of your entire flooring system. Here are some simple tips that can help you stop rot or damage to your subfloors.

👉 Start by having proper ventilation in your crawl space or basement to prevent any moisture buildup. 

👉 Regular floor inspections of your plumbing systems can help you find the leaks before they cause significant damage to your subflooring. 

👉 It's very important to address any water issues immediately and maintain proper drainage around your home's foundation. 

👉 You should consider using moisture barriers in crawl spaces and make sure that your gutters and downspouts are channeling water away from your home’s foundation. 

👉 Regular maintenance of your finished flooring can also help protect the subflooring beneath by preventing water from seeping through gaps or damaged areas. 

Remember, prevention is anyways less expensive than repair when it comes to your subfloors.

How To Choose The Right Subfloor For Your Home

Different types of finished flooring require specific subflooring considerations. 

For example, if you're planning to install tile, your subfloor needs to be particularly rigid to prevent cracking. On the other hand, hardwood flooring requires a clean, dry subfloor with specific moisture content levels. 

Understanding these requirements helps ensure your flooring investment lasts for years to come. Other than the type of flooring you choose, you should also think about your local weather, your home’s structural requirements, local building codes and requirements, and your budget constraints.

Can You Install Your Subfloors By Yourself?

Yes, if you have the right knowledge, tools, skills, and experience, you can try redoing your floors. But remember that even a minor mistake can result in expensive problems.

Also, when we talk specifically about subfloors, proper installation is very important for maintaining the lifespan of your entire flooring system.

Professional installers understand the importance of proper spacing between panels, correct fastener placement, and ensuring the subfloor is level before installing your finished flooring. 

If you are not confident that you can handle this job to that level of perfection, it is a wiser and more cost-effective choice to hire professionals. 

BONUS

What Are The Other Layers Beneath Your Floor?

As we already said, your floor is more than just what you walk on. Here, we will quickly discuss the anatomy of your floors. 

#1 Floor Joists

These are the bottom-most structural components, typically wooden beams that span from wall to wall. Your floor joists provide the primary structural support for your entire flooring system.

#2 Subfloor

As we've discussed, this is a crucial layer that sits directly on top of your joists, providing a stable foundation for everything above it.

#3 Underlayment

This optional layer goes between your subfloor and finished flooring. It can provide additional cushioning, sound dampening, and moisture protection, depending on your needs.

#4 Moisture Barrier

In some cases, especially with certain types of flooring, you'll need a moisture barrier to protect against water damage and vapor transmission.

#5 Finished Flooring

This is the top layer, what you actually see and walk on, whether it's hardwood, tile, carpet, or another material.

Professional Floor Remodeling In Pennsylvania 

At McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC, we have been providing professional and high-quality floor remodeling in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas in Pennsylvania for years. 

We understand that choosing the right flooring material is very important for your home’s indoor appearance and comfort. 

Our team works closely to provide quality results that exceed your expectations. We understand that your floors are very important, and we do not compromise on the quality of installation or materials.  

For a no-obligation discussion with our professionals or to get a free estimate for your flooring project, feel free to call us today at (412) 353-5660.