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Before you start installing your laminate flooring, it is important to level the plywood subfloor. This ensures that your new floor will be nice and flat, which provides a good surface for your new laminate or hardwood. In this article, we discuss some of the steps and tips to level your plywood for laminate.
First, use a saw to cut all of your baseboards. Second, place the new flooring on top of the old one. If necessary, use a filler before applying the new boards. Mark where all of the joints are with a pencil. Fourth, use a chisel and hammer to cut the joints so they are even with one another. Fifth, remove any excess material in between cuts with a screwdriver. Sixth, vacuum all of the dust with an electric or wet/dry vacuum. Seventh, place your new flooring in its place.
Importance of Levelling Plywood Subfloor for Laminate Floor
- Ensuring a good surface for the laminate
- Ensuring that the laminate will not be out of level where it meets other rooms
- Ensuring that the laminate is flat and not wavy
- Ensuring that the laminate is not sagging
- Ensuring that the laminate is not too high in one spot
4 Methods of Levelling Plywood Subfloor for Laminate
1. Renting a Floor Scraper
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Can be used for many projects
Cons:
- Does not remove boards
- Completely flush with subfloor
How to Use :
Rent an electric floor scraper from your local hardware store. Attach the blade attachment and make sure it is secured properly. Turn on the floor scraper, put on safety glasses and begin scraping the planks. If your subfloor is very uneven you may have to use a hammer in conjunction with the scraper.
2. Renting an Electric Demolition Saw
Pros:
- Can be used for many projects
- Cuts very quickly and precisely
Cons:
- Difficult to maneuver in tight spaces: must remove any furniture or obstacles in the room before using it.
- Can cut too deep if not careful.
How to Use:
- Rent an electric demolition saw from your local hardware store. Make sure it is in good working order and attach the appropriate blade for what you are cutting (a carbide-tipped finishing blade will make quick work of laminate).
- Place a drop cloth under where you are going to cut, turn on the saw, and begin cutting. Take your time and go slow (if you are worried about making a mistake, start with the scrap pieces to make sure you know how it works).
3. Using a Circular Saw
Pros:
- Can be used for many projects
- Quick to use
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Cannot cut very precise cuts, so it is only good if the subfloor is pretty flat.
- Can splinter laminate boards if not careful
- Not appropriate for cutting across board joints (i.e. around doorways).
How to Use:
- Turn on the saw, attach a plywood blade and place it flush against the subfloor. Make sure you are wearing proper safety equipment including eye protection.
- Slowly move the saw through each board until they are all cut through.
- Then turn off the saw, remove the blade guard and carefully pull up on the boards until they come loose from the plywood.
4. Using a Circular Saw With an Edge Guide
Pros:
- Can be used for many projects
- Quick to use
- Can cut very precise, straight lines
Cons:
- Cannot cut across board joints (i.e. around doorways)
- Needs to have the right blade attached
How to Use :
- Attach the appropriate blade and place it flush against the subfloor at the edge of the laminate boards. Make sure you are wearing proper safety equipment including eye protection.
- Slowly move the saw through each board until they are all cut to your desired length (if you want a straight line). Remove any pieces that have come loose from the plywood and then turn off the saw.
Reasons to Level plywood Subfloor for Laminate
- Allows for a more even surface
- Saves time and money if you need to replace the flooring later on
- Prevents squeaking from boards being uneven
- Creates better transitions between rooms (i.e. no gaps) where the laminate meets other types of floors such as tile or hardwood
- Ensures that there is no warping in the flooring
- Prevents gaps between boards where there are doorways or other obstacles on the subfloor.
- Ensures that your laminate will last longer and remain flat over time
- Keeps you from having to replace it sooner than necessary.
Preparations Before Levelling Plywood Subfloor for Laminate
- Remove and Save Boards
- If your subfloor is made up of several layers, you may want to remove the top layer and save it for later. Place a tarp under the boards as they are removed so that you can easily roll them up together once they are taken out.
- Place any furniture or obstacles in another room (in order to make sure you have enough room to use your floor leveling equipment)
- Mark the Floor for Cutting (if using a Circular Saw with Edge Guide or Demolition Saw)
- If you are going to cut through boards, make sure that they are marked so you know where each board is situated vertically. If there is any furniture in this room, take care not to damage it.
- This is a good time to put down drop cloths and make sure your safety equipment (including eye protection) is on.
8 Factors to Consider When Levelling Plywood Subfloor For Laminate
Before you start, there are a few factors to consider when leveling plywood subfloor for laminate.
1. The current state of your floor
Is it uneven and bumpy or do you have some high spots that need to be filled in? This will determine how much work needs to go into leveling the surface.
2. The thickness of the laminate flooring
Typically, thicker floors are more expensive. However, they also take up a lot of space on top of your plywood subfloor and require additional work to get to that surface level. If you have thick wood or tile beneath it may be easier for professionals to handle this job for you.
3. The thickness of the plywood subfloor
If your floor is uneven and bumpy, you may want to consider installing thicker plywood. Thicker floors are more expensive but they also can help level out those high spots on your current baseboard or shoe molding. If you already have a thick baseboard installed this will make leveling easier as well.
4. Your budget
How much are you willing to invest in your floor? While laminate floors can last for decades, the cost of installation will definitely have an impact on how much work needs to go into getting that surface level. If you do not want to spend a lot of money leveling out your subfloor it is best just to use thin plywood and then install a laminate or hardwood floor over top.
5. The type of flooring you are installing
If you are trying to install a floating laminate or hardwood, this will require more work as the boards need to be able to move around freely. If your subfloor is not level it can make fitting all the pieces together much harder over time. This means that there need to be some high spots filled in before the installation.
6. The climate
Depending on the type of flooring you are installing and where it will be installed, this can have a big impact. Some hardwoods do better in colder climates whereas some types of laminate floors may not stand up to extreme heat or cold as well.
7. The height of your current flooring
If you are installing laminate or hardwood over top of existing tile, carpet, stone or any other type of material, this needs to be taken into consideration. This will help ensure that the new floor does not sit too high on the subfloor and cause it to buckle later down the road.
8. The time you are willing to spend on the project
Depending on how much work needs to go into leveling your plywood subfloor for laminate, this can have an impact on pricing.
Tools Needed to Level Plywood Subfloor for laminate
There are a few different tools that you will need to level your plywood subfloor. This includes:
- Circular saw or table saw with circular blade for cutting the flooring boards
- Nail/staple gun and staples
- Hammer and nails (to nail down any area that is not completely level)
- Level (for making sure the surface is flat)
- Smooth putty knife (for smoothing out any ridges or bumps)
How to Level Plywood Subfloor for Laminate
The following are some tips on how to level plywood subfloor before installing laminate flooring:
Step1: Install a moisture barrier. Moisture can cause warping in wood floors when there is too much humidity in the air. A moisture barrier prevents this from happening by blocking any excess moisture that may come into contact with the wood below it. This can be an expensive investment if you’re not sure if the area needs one, but it’s worth doing right away just in case.
Step2: Remove any furniture and other heavy objects from the area. This allows you to more easily move around the flooring while leveling, which gives a better result in the end.
Step3: Use a straight edge to check the floor.
Run it across your subfloor, checking for any high or low spots that need leveling out before installing laminate wood floors.
Step4: Use a power drill to screw down any high spots that you find.
Use screws into the plywood subfloor until they are flush with your wood floor, right along the edges of where it meets other parts of the room.
Step6: Use a nail or pry bar to level any low spots.
Pry up the wavy wood flooring until it’s flush with the rest of your laminate subfloor, and use nails to secure it in place so that there are no excess gaps between boards.
Step7: Finally, you need to sand the whole subfloor.
This helps remove any jagged edges left by leveling with a nail or pry bar so that the laminate flooring goes on smoothly and looks good.
How to Maintain Level Plywood Subfloor for Laminate
Installing flooring is just the first step, but it’s not over yet! There are still a few ways to ensure that your subfloor stays level and doesn’t buckle or become uneven after installation.
- Regularly vacuum the floor. This is especially helpful when you have pets that may be shedding hair on your laminate floors, but it’s always a good idea either way! Using an air purifier can also help keep the quality of air in your home better and can improve the overall experience for those with asthma or allergies.
- Regularly clean the flooring, as well as your whole home regularly to avoid a buildup of dirt and grime on surfaces that can lead to further issues down the road. This includes cleaning up any spills right away so they don’t have time to soak into your floors and cause damage.
- Regularly inspect the flooring for signs of any natural disasters, such as floods or fires that could cause your subfloor to buckle from the weight of water or smoke if they were not properly sealed in beforehand. This is one way where a moisture barrier can really come in handy.
Safety Precautions on How to Level Plywood Subfloor for Laminate
1. Turn off any power to the area where you are working.
This is an important safety precaution if there are electrical wires in your subfloor that need to be cut out or moved around before installation can proceed.
2. Use a power drill with the right bit for your subfloor.
For example, you wouldn’t want to use a large screwdriver on plywood or particle board – it isn’t thick enough and will just break. Make sure that you know what material is under your laminate flooring before using any tools so that there are no accidents later down the road.
3. Wear protective equipment when using power tools.
This includes gloves, safety goggles, and earmuffs to protect your hands, eyesight, and hearing while you are working on leveling plywood subfloors for laminate floors.
4. Make sure you have the right type of screwdriver for your plywood subfloor.
You don’t want to use a larger one because it won’t fit in between the boards, so make sure that you know what material is under your laminate flooring before using any tools.
5. Ensure that you are working in a well-ventilated area when sanding.
There may be an unpleasant smell coming from the wood, especially if it’s old or has been treated with chemicals before. Make sure to have proper ventilation while using your tools so that there aren’t any dangerous fumes in the air.
6. Know the right way to use your tools before you start.
This includes how to properly hold and operate them as well as any safety precautions that need to be taken while working on leveling plywood subfloor for laminate flooring.
7. Ensure that you are wearing the right shoes for your project.
You don’t want to be working on leveling plywood subfloor for laminate flooring in bare feet, sandals, or any other inappropriate footwear because this can decrease both safety and efficiency. Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes with good grip before starting out so that accidents are less likely to happen.
Benefits of Leveling Plywood Subfloor for Laminate
Once you have a level plywood subfloor for laminate, you can enjoy the many benefits that come with it. These include:
- A more stable foundation: When your subfloor is level, it provides a more stable foundation for your laminate flooring. This means that there is less chance of the flooring becoming uneven over time and developing gaps or cracks.
- A smoother surface: If your subfloor is level, it will be much easier to install your laminate flooring because the surface will be smooth. This also makes it more comfortable to walk on and can reduce the amount of noise that is produced when walking on it.
- An improved appearance: If you want your laminate flooring to look its best, it is important to have a level subfloor. This will ensure that the edges of the boards are even and there are no gaps between them. Improved durability: When your laminate flooring is installed on a level subfloor, it is less likely to suffer from wear and tear over time. This means that it will last longer and will not need to be replaced as often.
- A more energy-efficient home: If your home has a level subfloor, it will be better insulated. This means that your home will be more energy-efficient and will save you money on your heating and cooling bills.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to level a plywood subfloor for laminate?
A: The best way to level a plywood subfloor for laminate is by using a power drill with the right bit. You should also wear protective equipment, such as gloves and safety goggles when using power tools. Make sure that you are working in a well-ventilated area and that you know how to properly use your tools before starting the project.
Q: How thick should the plywood subfloor be for laminate?
A: The thickness of the plywood subfloor should be at least ¾ inch. Anything thinner than that is not thick enough and will break under the weight of the laminate boards.
Q: What is the difference between particle board and plywood?
A: Particle board is made of small pieces of wood that are glued together, while plywood is made of thin sheets of wood that are glued together. Particle board is not as strong as plywood and is not recommended for use as a subfloor.
Q: Can I use plywood as a subfloor?
A: Yes, you can use plywood as a subfloor. Plywood is a strong material that is less likely to break under the weight of laminate boards. It is also easy to work with and can be cut into different shapes and sizes.
Q: What is the best way to cut plywood?
A: The best way to cut plywood is with a power saw. You should also wear protective equipment, such as gloves and safety goggles when using power tools. Make sure that you are working in a well-ventilated area and that you know how to properly use it.
Conclusion
By following these tips on how to level plywood subfloor for laminate, you can be sure that your floors will be level even after installation. Regular maintenance is key to keeping them looking their best, so make sure to vacuum, clean and inspect them regularly. And most importantly, always take the proper safety precautions when working with power tools.
