{"id":1442,"date":"2022-09-07T14:42:44","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T14:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/?p=1442"},"modified":"2023-02-23T06:08:48","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T06:08:48","slug":"best-tiling-subfloor-thickness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/best-tiling-subfloor-thickness","title":{"rendered":"The Best (And Most Durable) Subfloor Thicknesses For Tiling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Subflooring is a foundation layer part of the building structure and is most important to every floor and reinforcement specifications. There are different types of subfloors, and each one forms the base for any optional underlayment and ultimately provides the foundation of the surface flooring material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The subfloor structure should be quality material conforming to architectural and local authority recommendations. For example, the industry standard dictates a minimum one 1\/8-inch thickness to sustain tiling. In addition, you should adjust the thickness according to the room usage and content weight.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found that there is more to choosing the correct subfloor than just the type of material. So, let\u2019s explore these critical choice influencers a bit more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subfloor Types And Thickness For Durability And Tiling<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Floor
Floor tiles being laid onto a concrete floor and then tile adhesive<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Any building\u2019s floor system is most important to the structure, and consists of three layers. First, the subfloor is part of the sturdy base foundation\u2014secondly, the optional underlayment slots between the subfloor and top layer and the (third) floor top surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every floor has a subfloor beneath those visible pretty tiles<\/a> or carpets. But, I don\u2019t think we understand how much thought goes into deciding the correct subfloor design. There has been a life-long debate between plywood or OSB as to the better subfloor option. So, let\u2019s take a moment and scrutinize some of the best durable subfloor options and their tiling requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Plywood For Subflooring<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Floor
Floor leveling works lay plywood on the floor boards<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Plywood sheets are made from wood layers and have always been the preferred subfloor material choice. However, the newer tongue-and-groove sheets<\/a> have become very popular as it is easy to lay, and the sheets slot in neatly next to each other to form a flat interlocked flooring surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Plywood Thickness Is Best For Tiling?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A plywood subfloor generally uses 1\/2-inch to 3\/4-inch-thick sheets. The thinner 1\/2-inch plywood subfloor material is ideal for carpet or vinyl, but I recommend the thicker version for floor tiles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, depending on the spacing of the joists<\/a>, 15\/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are 16 inches or less apart. However, the thicker 3\/4-inch sheet should suit joists spaced further apart. The interlocking plywood sheet size is 4 x 8-foot and is 3\/4-inch-thick sells for about $21.50 at home improvement centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Subflooring<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Various
Various different types of wood including OSB, plywood and MDF<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

OSB is commonly known as chipboard and has become an alternative to plywood. It is cheaper, has very similar characteristics, and complies with the exact subfloor requirements<\/strong>. OSB is a composite of wood chips and flakes glued together, and some would argue that it is a better option because it is free from knots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like plywood, OSB also comes with tongue-and-groove edges suitably for subflooring. In addition, OSB sheets come in sizes of 4 x 8-foot of 23\/32-inch at roughly $17.00 per sheet; therefore, about $5 below the price of plywood, and thus, the cost savings can be worth it on more significant projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is An OSB Subfloor Good For Tiling?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The standard subfloor for joists spaced up to 16 inches apart is the 23\/32-inch-thick T & G sheets. However, check with your local authority as they may require, similar to the I-Codes, 1-inch-thick sheets for joists further than 16 inches apart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as the OSB is sufficiently thick (3\/4″ or 1″ thick), it is perfectly safe to use OSB for tiling. However using 1\/4″ OSB would not<\/em> be sufficient<\/strong>. 1\/4″ OSB would not adequately support the weight of the tiles and a room’s content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiling On Concrete Subfloors<\/h2>\n\n\n
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A concrete subfloor which also has had some self levelling compound applied to it<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As you might be aware, most basements<\/a> and brick and mortar homes have concrete foundations. Therefore the subfloor will (naturally) be concrete and is ready for tiling directly over it. But, before rushing off to the tile shop, let\u2019s discuss a few points first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n