Cost of installing subfloor

These estimates are NOT substitutes for written quotes from trade professionals. Homewyse strongly recommends that you contact reputable professionals for accurate assessments of work required and costs for your project - before making any decisions or commitments.

This infographic highlights decisions and site issues that can cause large cost variances in the typical Subfloor Installation budget.

Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project. We're an involved community that values your input. So, let us know - did we meet your needs? Your comments and sharing are greatly appreciated! Site message including reference link shown here. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery. However, it is important to note that complicated subfloor repairs can take longer, especially if water damage has occurred, making the total labor costs almost as high as they would with a new install.

Most homeowners choose to repair a section of subfloor instead of completely replacing it if the area is small and the damage was caused by an incident isolated to the area.

This could be small uneven sections or small areas damaged by minor water problems. If significant water problems have occurred, such as flooding, the floor seems completely uneven, or there is bouncing when walking across the floor, it is advisable to replace it.

Subfloor and underlayment are terms that can be confusing because they are both designed to be underneath the flooring in your home. The subfloor is part of the structure of your floor and is designed to create a flat, stable surface on the flooring rests. Underlayment lies between the floor and the subfloor and is designed to compensate for any roughness or imperfections that are present in the subfloor beneath.

They can provide a little bit of cushion and absorb sound. Find the best subfloor replacement specialists near me Find Pros. In some cases, the damage to your subfloor can occur as a result of water damage. When water seeps through your flooring into your subfloor, it can lead to rotting, making the floor unstable and unsafe to walk on.

But when you have water damage, you could have mold, which can lead to health issues if not properly remediated. If you suspect mold, it is best to have the area inspected before being replaced. You need to use underlayment when installing a floor that does not directly adhere to the subfloor. Floors, such as laminate floors, are floating floors that require underlayment. Flooding can be a serious issue with basements and can lead to mold and moisture buildup.

A vapor barrier is plastic or foil sheeting designed to prevent water vapor from passing through the floors or walls, depending on where it is installed. Replacing a subfloor can take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours, depending on the size of that section needing to be replaced. While it is most common to repair or replace subflooring, if you notice damage when installing new flooring, you can choose to cover the existing subfloor with a completely new one.

Many signs indicate the need to replace your subfloors. If your floors squeak, shift, or bounce when you walk on them, they may need to be replaced. Other signs include sunken or uneven areas, damage such as cracking of your floor, and a musty smell in the room. The most popular material used for subfloors and the best material in most situations is plywood. Cost to replace subfloor varies greatly by region and even by zip code. To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.

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Get Local Cost. Reviewed by Sophia Fennessy. Written by Fixr. Jul 21, What's new? Jul 21, Updated the introduction with new information, project scopes, and project costs. Average Cost. Subfloor Cost per Square Foot The cost of your subfloor 1 replacement largely depends on the square footage of the area.

Compare Quotes. Get free estimates on subfloor replacement near me. Get Free Estimates. Find top-rated subfloor replacement specialists in your area. Find Pros. Compare quotes from local subfloor replacement companies. Find the best subfloor replacement specialists near me. Additional Considerations and Costs Permits. You do not need permits to replace the subfloor in your home. You can replace subflooring yourself, which homeowners often do when replacing a small area.

If you are replacing a larger area or your subfloor has significant rotting, it may be best to have a professional replace it to ensure the new floor is safe. Added value. If your subfloors are lumber, damaged, or make noise when you walk, replacing them adds value to your home. However, it is often close enough to make it worth the cost. Lumber subfloors. Subfloors used to traditionally be made from soft woods such as fir or pine.

In most homes, these floors have been replaced with plywood. If the flooring has not been replaced, the lumber subfloor may still be present. Lumber is no longer used because it involved nailing it into the joists, which would loosen over time and cause the floor to squeak. Wet flooring. Wet lumber such as panels and joists needs time to dry before being sealed with underlayment and top floor. If there has been water damage, the joists need to dry before the new subfloor can be laid.

New flooring materials need time to acclimate to the environment. Leveling the subfloor. It is crucial to level a new subfloor with your current subfloor to prevent damage. Other subfloor options. There are other high-performance subfloor options that offer extra features. For example, Warmboard sells subfloor panels that also function as radiant floor and that are installed directly over joists. This usually works best for new constructions, but they also offer options that can be installed over your existing subfloor if you are remodeling.

FAQs How long does it take to replace the subfloor? Can I put a new subfloor over the old subfloor? How much does it cost to replace floor joists? How to know if you should replace the subfloor? What is the best material to use for a subfloor? Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know. See full cheat sheet. How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?

Floating subfloor: There are two common methods for this. One layer is laid, and the second layer is stapled or glued perpendicularly or diagonally over the top. Do you nail or screw subfloor? When you use a nail gun to attach subfloor sheathing to the floor joists, the nail sometimes misses the joist. Remember, nails can pull up; screws don't. This gives us stronger floors that will not move or squeak.

How thick should a subfloor be? Subfloor holds up all of the above layers of flooring, as well as everything in your house—people, dogs, cats, pianos, furniture. All houses have subfloors.

What screws should I use for subfloor? Divide by the total square footage by the square footage of a sheet of plywood to find the number of sheets required to cover the space.

For example, if the area to be covered in plywood is ft 2 then 25 sheets of plywood will be needed to cover it. Cost to Replace , Repair or Install Subfloor. Can I put new subfloor over old subfloor? One of the benefits of removing the old flooring is it allows you the chance to fix any loose subflooring or squeaks by re-securing the main subfloor to the floor joists prior to installing the new flooring. How long does flooring installation take?

On average it takes days to install hardwood floor. Typically, a 2-person crew of installers can lay to 1, square feet of flooring per day with the average size of a job being 1, to 1, square feet. How thick should a subfloor be? For joist spacing of more than 16 inches up to For joists spaced more than How long does it take to install sq ft of laminate flooring?