What Type Of Subfloor For Bathroom

A full bathtub is very heavy it needs a solid support.

What type of subfloor for bathroom.

However you re not out of the woods. My question is what type of wood should i use for a bathroom sub floor. For this reason ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be considered somewhat delicate despite the inherent strength of the material. These are not good choices for a bathroom subfloor as they soak up water and they tend to swell.

The bathroom floor gets wet. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. When installing a ceramic tile floor on a concrete subfloor you don t have to worry about flexing as long as the concrete slab is at least 1 1 8 inch thick which most slabs are. That usually means the underlayment and the subfloor also get wet.

Because of issues of moisture movement and adhesion ceramic tile will work well with certain types of subfloor underlayment systems and can go dramatically wrong with other subfloor materials. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile. Excess moisture in the subfloor is a common reason for early replacement of bathroom flooring but it can be prevented by choosing the right material from the beginning. Tile floors are especially heavy with layers of cement board mortar tile or stone and grout.

For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. Concrete expands and contracts and that type of movement can also crack the tiles and the grout. So your subfloor must be able to withstand this type of environment if water should get to it. It is important to choose the right type of subfloor for your surroundings climate and purpose as it will have a big effect on the finished result.

Looks like you have to really check the subfloor for rot. Some engineered wood flooring can be installed as floating floors over a wood subfloor or consrete slab. If you are remodeling an existing bathroom you might find particle board or other less expensive wood fiber type products. Also rotten wood will flex a lot and this will crack all the joints and tear silicone caulk in the corners.

Using the right type plywood ensures a long lasting floor. A subfloor is the bottom most structural level of your floor. By choosing the right material from the start your bathroom will stand a better chance of withstanding long term damage. If installed over concrete the recommended subfloor is either 3 4 inch thick plywood or 2x4s and a vapor barrier of either asphalt felt and mastic or polyethylene film is required.