The subfloor is the flooring beneath your tile, carpet, vinyl, or wood flooring. It provides an even surface so that your chosen flooring has a strong foundation to go on top of. If your subfloor is damaged by water or anything else, it must be replaced before you lay down any new flooring. At Preferred Flooring in Breese, IL, we can help you find gorgeous flooring for your home. We carry hardwood, carpet, tile, laminate, and vinyl from top brands. Learn why your subfloor is essential and how to ensure it’s in good shape.
What is a Subfloor?
There’s a subfloor beneath the tile, carpet, vinyl, laminate, or wood flooring in your home. It’s designed to provide a flat, even surface for your flooring to go on top of. Your subfloor is important because it provides the base for your flooring to anchor to. If it has cracks, experiences water damage, or is uneven, it will show in the final installation of your flooring. These issues can cause warping, creaks, squeaky floors, and soft spots. A solid subfloor provides support and can seal your floor against future damage.
Types of Subfloors
Most subfloors are made from wood or concrete. The type of subfloors you have can indicate the best type of flooring that would work in your home. The most common types of subfloors are:
- Plywood is made by gluing wooden veneers together in different directions. It provides more stability and strength than hardwood. Plywood is a good option for any flooring, including carpet and vinyl.
- Engineered hardwood consists of multiple thin wood layers joined together and topped with a wood veneer. This provides stability, sound absorption, durability, and moisture resistance, making it an excellent choice for just about any flooring.
- Concrete provides a smooth, solid layer that won’t crack and is highly durable. It’s ideal for laminate, hardwood, or tile flooring.
Assessing the Condition of Your Subfloor
If you’re in the market for new flooring, assess your subfloor when you pull up the existing flooring. Ensure it’s clean, smooth, and even all across, particularly if installing hardwood, tile, vinyl, or laminate flooring. The carpet can be a little more forgiving. Some things to look for to assess the condition of your subfloor to determine if it needs to be replaced are:
- A foul smell, which could indicate mold or water damage
- Cracks in the wood or concrete
- Squeaks can indicate weakness
- Spongy or hollow areas can also indicate a lack of structural integrity
Contact Preferred Flooring for New Flooring
When you’re ready to replace your existing flooring with something new, verifying that your subflooring is in good condition is essential. Preferred Flooring in Breese, IL, can help you find new tile, carpet, hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring for any room in your home. Our full service includes installation.
Call, email, visit our store, or fill out our online contact form to find the right flooring. We proudly serve Breese, Highland, Mascoutah, New Haven, Trenton, Bond County, Clinton County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, St. Clair County, and Washington County, IL. Contact us today!