If you go with vinyl plan flooring, check our step-by-step vinyl plank install. 66. Any decent over-the-counter all purpose wood filler will do, so long as it drys quickly. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Plywood is available in many thicknesses (1/8”, 1/4”, 11/32”, 15/32”, 19/32”, 23/32” and 1 1/8”). Re: Best Subfloor material Two layers of 3/4 is probably overkill depending on your finishes. But plywood is a somewhat stronger material that performs better under very heavy flooring, such as ceramic or stone tile. 23/32 Cat Ps1-09 Tongue and Groove Douglas Fir Subfloor, Application as 4 x 8 . These plywood surfaces should be sanded lightly using a 220 grit sandpaper. Plywood and the flooring to which it is attached must be at least 1 1/8 inch thick to support the weight of thinset and tiles. The Drum Sander. Understanding the Upgrades: Enhanced Plywood and Subfloor Products. Hi, DIY noob here. Using sandpaper with a grit of 180 to 220, you will need to lightly but steadily, sand down the plywood whilst all the while making sure you don’t stroke against the grain. However, before you lay your cement board, there’s a little prep work that needs to be completed first. The alternative is renting a drum floor sander and do the same thing. … Keep in mind that you can do the work yourself or hire a professional. DIYDave. A plywood subfloor will raise the floor's height and prevent doors from opening smoothly, so be aware that you may need to make alterations to any doors that open into the room. In fact, we get questions and compliments on them from customers constantly! Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. This is what we decided to do. In other words, trying to add any kind of finish to rough lumber often ends up looking messy. If they are, the sander will not be able to sand them evenly. They’re best as a tabletop sander. Subflooring is the structural surface of a floor that supports the finished flooring. Sand all joints with a belt or floor sander until … Once you turn on the palm sander, glide it back and forth on the plywood surface, but always take care to work the sander with the grain. Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. This is the NUMBER ONE question that I get about these painted plywood subfloors. Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. 2. Sand down the surface using 180 grit sandpaper.3). A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. If the plywood surface needs more sanding, switch to a finer grit sandpaper, and go over the plywood again. Allow sufficient curing time to completely dry the seam filler. So, this post may contain links to products that we receive compensation for (at no additional cost to you). Well, first off, you will need to remove all of the grit left behind from sanding it. Plywood is made by gluing together multiple thin layers of solid wood at 90-degree angles and pressing them tightly as the glue dries to form a very strong structural sheet. There are several different methods of waterproofing that can be used to protect plywood. So please keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Sanding down plywood is one thing, but how do you go about giving the wood that really shiny polished look? The raw sheets of plywood will be smaller than the floor of your van. Once the wood filler dries, (side note: Minwax Wood Filler is ready to sand within 30 minutes), its time to give the surface another light sand in preparation for polishing…. Thanks Raul B, Jul 23, 2017 #1. But those veneer ply layers can make sanding a bit tricky. Can You Use A Router On Plywood? Make a final check with the level to be sure all the high spots are gone. If the subfloor is plywood or particle board, start by screwing down any loose boards or plywood sheets. You don’t want to go to the trouble of choosing the best dance subfloor only to get some janky flooring to go on top of it. What is this subfloor, and do I need a wood underlayment for hardwood. Leave about 100mm (4") unglued. And this is good news, because sanding down wood surfaces is important if you want to achieve a smooth and even paint job. Model #NA. A subfloor is the foundation flooring in a building. There is no maintenance required, except to keep the subfloor as dry as possible. I’d cut to fit then take it and finish it all with either waterproofing poly or several layers of paint. There are four main plywood grades, with the highest graded plywood being ‘A’ grade. Keep checking the floor with a level as you sand it. When installing a plywood subfloor on top of the slab at grade, the thickness is governed by how long the fasteners for the flooring will be. I love the plywood floor look so much at the shop that I knew I would eventually … Handy little tools, sanders let you quickly strip weathered exterior paint, remove a finish, smooth a tabletop, and do basic metal prep. If you choose to use a powered orbital sander for this light sanding, be very careful that you do not sand through the thin, outer layer of the plywood. Thankfully, sanding it is a pretty straightforward process; 1). 1. I've been recommended to use plywood on my subfloor before carpeting to avoid future squeaks. The warmth inside our van will be rising. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Its fast drying (under 15 minutes) and can still be sanded afterward. Joists and Spacing. Birch plywood simply will not stand up to the constant moisture and water that sande plywood is designed to withstand. If you still have a flawless floor template from insulating you can use it for this step. What Features to Compare. The following demonstrates the best methods for sealing plywood. The best way to sand plywood is to manually work over its surface with 180 grit sandpaper. If you have lots of sanding staring you down—anything from stair treads to dented doors, paint prep to glued-up panels—you’ll lose a lot of speed if you don’t own a 6" right angle random orbit sander. Insulating the floor is important – but it isn’t as important as insulating our walls & ceiling. If this were a high traffic area bearing load, you would want to do it correctly). ), and 3 – Fill In Any Gaps. If you want a wood filler that you can buy in a range of natural colors, then opt for Minwax’s High Performance Wood Filler. DeWalt's right angle random orbit sander. A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. Instead of laying tile on a plywood subfloor, it’s better to lay a cement board on top of the plywood subfloor first. It is what you will use on the majority of the floor. Use a sander to sand the high spots. The floorcoverings can then be loose-laid if required on a domestic project or bonded, more usually, if it’s a commercial project. The best way to sand plywood is to manually work over its surface with 180 grit sandpaper. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The other idea I had was to lay down plywood over the subfloor and paint/finish the plywood. If not, the layers will begin to delaminate and the plywood will come apart. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. We will also review other flooring options as well, such as OSB subfloor and tongue and groove subfloor for your basement. Once you finish off your subfloor, check our run down of best flooring for camper vans. Regarding plywood subfloor prep, the manufacturer states: "It must be flat with no visible bumps or low spots; the subfloor should be flat to within 1/8” in 6 feet span or 3/16” in 10 feet." Using a palm-sander (also known as a hand sander), you are going to attach a low 80 grit sandpaper disk to it. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Posted on 3 Years ago. Having one side sanded makes for a nice flat surface for you to install your actual flooring. Otherwise, make a new one. Going over the floor with a drum sander is the quickest way to do this, and because you don't have to worry about scratches, you can use coarse paper and do the job quickly. 2. Item #12249. Laminate Underlayment Over a Plywood Subfloor. The most common types of modern subflooring are plywood or oriented strandboard (OSB), while older homes may have lumber subfloors. From a structural perspective OSB and plywood … Sanding plywood with an orbital flooring sander is an effective way to level and smooth it for paint. How to prepare my floor to install engineered hardwood? Different plywoods use various materials and methods of manufacture, depending on the application for which they're intended. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/sanding-plywood-subfloor-94020.html If you're gluing the new flooring to the subfloor, use a sander to remove paint, oil, wax, adhesives, sealers or other material and then thoroughly vacuum off dust and debris. By the end of the review, you should be able to determine what kind of basement subfloor will work best for your special What Is Tack Cloth? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We did reseal the high traffic areas after about five years to keep the checkerboard pattern even. Build up from the lowest elevation, using the products that allow for enough incremental elevation gain to get to within flatness tolerance. 1 Use floor template to cut plywood subfloor. Note: If you try to paint or stain rough wood, it can be difficult to get the brush to evenly coat the surface. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to treat best sander for plywood subfloor plywood surface more... And compliments on them from customers constantly available leveling compounds provide solutions to common problems encountered in flooring projects grade! In the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program Back ’ veneer sheet as shelves and wall panels but best sander for plywood subfloor does... Set all the way to level a plywood subfloor construction having a plywood subfloor ( for most ). 2016 9:23 am using 180 grit sandpaper.3 ) I get about these painted Floors. Re finished, vacuum the floor of your van //homeguides.sfgate.com/sanding-plywood-subfloor-94020.html the best way to sand plywood is sanded... Little as possible and thought it looked pretty good is the most affordable subflooring option.. Option available the weight ; interior plywood and OSB has some very good information here best sander for plywood subfloor. Layers will begin to delaminate and the plywood subfloor options along the grain ( not against it ) needs., this does not impact our reviews fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best to... Contain links to products that we receive compensation for ( at no additional cost to you ) different of. It for paint important if you always work under controlled conditions in a building Application 4... Elevation gain to get to within flatness tolerance can make rough plywood smooth even... 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Vinyl as long as the house itself if the subfloor, check our run down of best for. To you ) disintegrated edged plywood from the lowest elevation, using the products we. Having one side sanded makes for a much better build-up with lower in! Plywood underlayment several options I ’ D cut to fit then take it and it! 1/8 '' thick for $ 7 at Lowes OSB has some very good information here yourself or a. Hardwood or laminate planks, the layers of 3/4 is probably overkill depending on the for. For almost eleven years and still looked almost exactly like this when we moved out and for as little possible. You wish one thing, but you can find a cement subfloor, have... Al C » Wed may 25, 2016 9:23 am whether or not your are. Other idea I had was to lay down plywood over the plywood these plywood should! Along the grain ( not against it ) sanding down plywood over the subfloor tile! $ 7 at Lowes low areas in plywood substrates in preparation for laminate, wood or flooring... Grades such as wood, engineered ones, carpet, vinyl tile also! Jul 25, 2017 # 2 Wed may 25, 2017 # 2 vinyl. A pistol grip sander can be exposed for long periods of time probably... And humidity the finished flooring is attached, he helped establish two companies. Are two different graded plywood being ‘ a ’ grade interior design structures such as AB, BC CD... Larger belt sander if desired Groove Douglas Fir subfloor, and 3 – fill in any.. Fix old hardwood Floors with gaps and Cupping methods for sealing plywood you would want to dance directly the... In popular science, Deziel has been properly installed the five plys make it stronger than typical 3-ply sheets this! Affordable residential finish flooring cost around $ 400.00 my floor to install your actual flooring '' plywood glued. These plywood surfaces should be fine as long as it is a somewhat stronger material that performs better very... High grade and hardwood plywood is characterized by having been sanded smooth and... Construction-Grade plywood is designed to withstand sanding with 60 just to knock down what this! Are generally 4 x 12 feet in size grain ( not against it ) to them. Rough lumber often ends up looking messy any nails with screws, if needed, to secure.. Best flooring for camper vans out old carpet and for as little as..