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Basement subfloor

user-471779 | Posted in General Questions on

I know there are so many posts on this, but I have to order product in the next couple of days to keep the project going.

zone 3
3000 sf basement. No rigid beneath existing slab.

planning on delta fl, then 1″ of xps (already have it) then two layers of 1/2″ plywood square edge, I was going to float the two layers and glue and screw them together. Then I would frame and tapcon plates of non load bearing walls on top of it. 3/4 inch plank flooring on top, carpet on top, tile on top in different rooms.

Will if find that I will need to tapcon the first layer of plywood? Can I just float it? will movement of the plywood mess things up if I dont tapcon it down?

Is tongue and groove better? I could do 1 layer of 3/4 advantech instead, tapconed?

I wanted to go the route of two 1/2 square edge glued and screwed together to not have to tapcon, is this realistic?

Thank you!

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Dean,
    The answer depends in part on the quality of your 1/2 inch plywood, and how flat it is when delivered.

    Here's my advice: try your approach (a floating subfloor, with the two layers of plywood screwed to each other). If everything stays flat and level, you should be good to go.

    If one or two spots have a hump, you can fasten down those problem areas with TapCons.

  2. user-471779 | | #2

    Sounds great... Osb is flatter would I be better off with osb or plywood?

  3. Andrew_C | | #3

    If there's a risk of getting wet, I'd use plywood. If it's in a basement, I'd say there's a risk of getting wet.

    I'd love to have that in my basement. Great improvement.

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