Laying a Plywood Subfloor

A well-installed subfloor will keep the upper layer level and well-insulated and will help prevent a squeaky floor. Plywood is the most common type of subfloor in new homes.

Excerpted from Do It Yourself Home Improvement

Installing Plywood Subfloor: Plan Ahead

Plywood is rated for use, based on whether it’s for interior or exterior applications, and what type of material you plan to use for the finished floor. Available in standard sheets of 4 X 8 ft (1.2 X 2.5 m), your work will be easier if you minimize the number of cuts you need to make to cover the floor. Lay out your floor carefully before you start attaching sheets to the joists. Also, plan the layout so that the cut edges are against the perimeter of the room. Make sure the sheets are spaced evenly and butt each sheet tightly. The first step is to snap a line across the floor joists to mark the position of the first sheet of plywood.