Rules and technology for laying plywood on a wooden floor

One clever way to achieve a smooth, durable surface for your finished flooring is to lay plywood over a wooden floor. Plywood offers a sturdy foundation that can help guarantee the durability and aesthetics of your flooring, whether you’re planning to install hardwood, vinyl, or carpet.

But it’s not as simple as setting up plywood sheets and calling it a day. You must adhere to certain guidelines and methods in order to achieve the best outcomes. Each stage matters in the end, from selecting the appropriate kind of plywood to making sure it’s fastened correctly.

To ensure a strong foundation for everything that comes next, this article will walk you through the necessary steps and advice to help you lay plywood on your wooden floor like a pro.

Thickness of plywood for the floor

It is essential to approach the task of determining the size of the sheet products responsibly in order to complete the task accurately and prevent major issues down the road. It is best to avoid making large savings in such a circumstance.

  • In the absence of irregularities and defects, the plank surface is faced in order to level out possible gaps between the elements and get a rigid gasket. In this case, it is better to lay a 6 mm thick material that does not have any signs of rejection.
  • To eliminate significant differences in height and curvature, it is necessary to lay products with parameters from 12 to 15 mm. The resulting coating will provide rigidity and durability.
  • If it is impossible to adjust the edges of adjacent parts to the same level during laying, then two layers of 10 or 12 mm should be laid. The first layer eliminates the main defects, and the second completely levels out the curvature.
  • In a room that does not involve the placement and permanent presence of massive pieces of furniture, you can lay products up to 12 mm thick. Additionally, the condition of the base is taken into account. Objects with high traffic, heavy furniture and equipment require laying sheets with dimensions of up to 22 mm.
  • The type of finishing material is also important. So, when finishing with laminate or linoleum, there is no need to strengthen the surface. Tiling involves a more significant load, so the rough sheathing is mounted in two layers with a total thickness of 20 or 24 mm.

Note: For single-layer installation, it is best to use a high-quality material so that imperfections and warping won’t contribute to the formation of a rigid base.

Installation on an old wooden floor

If it becomes necessary to place plywood on the boards, the task must be completed precisely in accordance with the instructions, which consist of multiple steps.

Required tool

Devices are ready ahead of time. It is considered that a reserve is needed if the device has replaceable attachments.

  • Electric jigsaw with suitable saws or a hand saw.
  • A level at least 1 meter long.
  • A tape measure and a flat bar (profile), which will serve as a stop when marking.
  • A screwdriver or drill with power adjustment and bits.
  • Self-tapping screws of the required size. The rod should pierce the plate and reliably deepen into the wooden surface.
  • Plane and construction knife.
  • Stapler.
  • Brushes and a set of spatulas.
  • Primer and elastic putty.

Additionally, products with a backing and the necessary format are chosen. Buying small sheets is preferable because they will ensure prompt adjustment and prevent needless trimming, especially if there are multiple layers. Use the right kind of glue for accurate fixation.

Preparing the base

Preparing the surface beforehand is essential to ensure that the plywood installation on the floor goes smoothly and doesn’t require lengthy adjustments or hitches, as well as to prevent issues later on.

  1. The old decorative coating is completely removed, down to the base. If paint was used as a finish, then the drips and peeling fragments are removed.
  2. The condition of the surface is assessed. Deformed parts are replaced with new ones, sagging elements are strengthened. The same procedures are carried out with the logs.
  3. The presence of mold and mildew is checked. Microorganisms not only destroy wood, but also pose a threat to human health. Infected areas should be removed and adjacent areas treated with a protective compound.
  4. Using a plane, cut off protruding fragments. This will allow the plywood to fit more tightly.
  5. The gaps between the boards are sealed with elastic putty.
  6. The base is covered with a primer with antiseptic additives.
  7. The surface is dried.

It might be required to use vapor-permeable film if the work is done on the first floor. Ventilation under the plywood requires such a substrate.

Guidance! It is recommended to clear the base of dust and debris because small particles reduce the density of the fit.

Cutting the material with your own hands

The slabs are divided into the necessary sized pieces.

  1. A convenient and level place for work is prepared. Sawing is done on a small elevation, which ensures free passage of the tool.
  2. An installation diagram is drawn up. To do this, the dimensions of the surface are determined and a laying plan is drawn.
  3. The slab is cut according to the parameters. If the floor is very uneven, it is recommended to cut the sheets into pieces measuring 60 x 60 cm.
  4. Cutting is done exactly along the line. When working with a power tool, you need to set the power correctly to prevent chips.
  5. If there are defects on the edges, they are processed with a file.
  6. All sections are marked according to the drawing.

It is best to cut plywood with external defects as close to the edge as possible to avoid creating trouble spots.

Laying the substrate

This procedure isn’t always required, particularly when working with wooden coverings, but if it is, a specific substrate is used to allow for ventilation and prevent moisture penetration. The private home is where the process is most applicable.

The film is positioned without bubbles or breaks around the room’s edge. If the strips need to be combined, they need to be overlapped and taped together. To guarantee that the entire surface is covered, the material is placed with a grip of a few millimeters near the walls. A stapler is used to complete the fastening process so that the pad is laid without moving.

Working in an environment with a high surface humidity is prohibited. A piece of polyethylene film measuring at least 100 by 100 centimeters is laid down, the product is firmly pressed along the edges, and it is left overnight to determine the level. It is necessary to use forced drying if condensation has formed in the morning.

Fastening plywood boards

Fixing to a wooden floor is done in line with the following plan:

  1. Fragments are placed on the prepared surface according to the marks. If the products are more than one meter, then they can be glued.
  2. Correct installation requires a mandatory distance of 2-3 mm between adjacent parts and an indentation from the walls of 4-5 mm.
  3. Segments must be screwed with screws, the length of which exceeds the thickness of the plywood by 2.5-3 times.
  4. The pitch between the screws is determined based on the size of the fragment: for large products, at least 15 cm is required, smaller elements require frequent fastening – 7–10 cm. Indent from the edge – 20 mm. The cap is recessed flush.
  5. All parts are checked by level. It is taken into account that adjacent horizontal joints between rows should be shifted.

Sanding is done if a perfectly flat base is needed.

Laying on the frame

The following technologies are used to form plywood floors on logs:

  • Support parts are set with a fixation step of 40-60 cm. It is taken into account that all products must be placed in the same plane.
  • The processed boards must be laid in a checkerboard pattern so that the joints fall on the beam. To screw the products, wood screws are used. A distance of 15-20 cm is formed between the screws.
  • Before fixing the flooring, the logs must be treated with antiseptics and fire retardants.

Be aware of this! For a distance between support beams of up to 40 cm, the ideal sheet thickness is 12 mm; for a distance of 60 cm, it is 15 mm.

Step Description
1. Prepare the surface Ensure the wooden floor is clean, dry, and free from debris. Sand down any rough spots and fill in gaps with a suitable filler.
2. Measure and cut plywood Measure the area and cut the plywood sheets to fit, leaving a small gap between sheets and walls for expansion.
3. Lay the plywood Start laying the plywood from one corner, ensuring the sheets are staggered to avoid alignment of edges. Secure with screws, spacing them evenly.
4. Check for level Use a level to check the surface as you lay each sheet, making adjustments as necessary to avoid uneven areas.
5. Secure the edges Make sure all edges are securely fastened, paying extra attention to areas near walls and corners.
6. Finish the surface Once all plywood is laid, sand down any raised edges or joints to create a smooth, even surface for further flooring installation.

Plywood can be laid over a wooden floor with ease, greatly enhancing both the look and longevity of your flooring. You may make sure that the surface is stable and smooth and ready for any final touches by adhering to the correct guidelines and procedures.

Long-term benefits will come from taking the time to properly prep the wooden floor, select the appropriate kind of plywood, and install it. Plywood is a flexible and dependable material, whether you intend to reinforce the current structure or install new flooring on top of it.

You can accomplish professional results and ensure that your floor is both functional and aesthetically pleasing for many years to come with a little work and attention to detail.

One simple method for creating a smooth, stable base for any kind of finish on a wooden floor is to lay plywood over the floor. It’s crucial to adhere to certain rules in order to get the best results, such as selecting the appropriate plywood thickness, making sure the wood floor is level and dry, and properly fastening the plywood to stop any movement. You can increase the overall quality of the surface and prolong the life of your flooring by following these steps.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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