How To Install And Finish Plywood Flooring?

Make sure your subfloor is clean, dry, and level before putting down plywood flooring. Remove any nails, adhesive traces, or flooring materials that are already in place. To guarantee a smooth surface for the wood, fix any broken or uneven subfloor pieces.

Determine how many amount of sheets you will need by measuring the size of the space. Start in one part of the room and working your way across is recommended. Leave a thin space (about 1 /8 inch) between each sheet to allow for expansion. Plan the layout to avoid having seams line up with subfloor’s.

Cut the hardwood sheet to meet the room measurement using a table or circular saw. Make sure the cuts are accurate and the sheets line up with the intended pattern. Wear the proper protective clothing when using power tools, advises safety experts.

Apply construction glue to the subfloor first, making sure to cover it evenly. Aligning the first piece of hardwood with the corner of the room, you should position it there. Use screws or nails to fasten the wood to the subfloor, spacing them around 6 to 8 inches apart in the field and along the edges.

Apply adhesive to the subsequent rows’ seams and space them out so they don’t line up with the subfloor’s seams. For increased stability, make sure the sheet edges meet over a floor joist or subfloor support. Once you’ve covered the entire floor, keep doing this.

Once all of the plywood pieces are in position, use a putty knife to fill any gaps and seams with floor filler. To dry and sand, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

The entire wood surface should be sanded using increasingly finer grits of sandpaper. Use coarse-grit sandpaper (such as 80-grit) to begin smoothing off any roughness or imperfections. Upgrading to finer grits (such as 120- and 220-grit) will result in a smoother finish. All the corners and edges should be properly sanded.

To create the desired aesthetic, you can now choose to stain or paint your wood flooring. If staining, follow the wood grain when using a paintbrush or other applicator to apply the stain evenly. Before adding a second coat, if desired, let it dry fully. When painting, use a primer first and let it dry completely before using a few thin, even coats of paint.

The application of a clear polyurethane sealer or clear coat can protect your plywood flooring and give it a glossy appearance. Apply a few light coats, letting each one dry completely between applications. This will give your floor resilience and make it stain and moisture-resistant.

To fill in the expansion gaps and give the room a finished appearance, install baseboards or trim around the room’s perimeter. To accommodate natural expansion and contraction, fasten the trim to the wall rather than the plywood.

Look for any residual flaws or nail holes on the floor. After letting the wood putty dry and sanding it smooth, fill them in. Use a tack cloth to wipe away any dust or dirt when you’re pleased with the surface.

• Maintain your plywood floor by routinely vacuuming or sweeping out dirt.
• To lessen wear and tear, put area rugs or mats in high-traffic areas.
• As plywood is sensitive to water, avoid prolonged exposure.
• Immediately clean up spills. When necessary, reapply a coating of clear polyurethane to maintain a protective finish.