Can I use OSB for hardwood subfloor?

Even so, the National Wood Flooring Association recognizes OSB as a suitable substrate for a nail-down hardwood floor under certain conditions. It specifies a minimum sheet thickness of 23/32 inches and a minimum moisture content of of 10 percent. If you do, you should have a squeak-free floor that will last for years.

Should I paint OSB subfloor?

Using oil-based paint is essential. Just painting the OSB like you would paint plywood will leave the OSB rougher and the paint will bleed through regular primer, while using water-based paint causes the OSB to peel over time, making it look unattractive and requiring regular maintenance.

Can you install hardwood floors over OSB?

OSB can accommodate glue-down, nail/staple or floating hardwood installations. With glue-down, follow the hardwood flooring manufacturer’s guidelines. Achieving a quality hardwood floor over an OSB substrate is not difficult, and is largely the same as working on top of plywood.

How do you make a subfloor look like hardwood?

Step 1: Apply the Base Coat. Brush or roll a coat of floor-grade primer to seal the grain and prevent bleed-through, wait for it to dry, then apply a coat of floor enamel.
Step 2: Draw Planks.
Step 3: Gouge the Lines and Stain the Floor.
Step 4: Make a Glaze.
Step 5: Paint the Grain.
Step 6: Apply Clear Finish.

What should I put over my OSB floor?

You can put tile or sheet vinyl flooring over OSB so long as you ensure that the surface of the OSB is completely smooth without any major knicks, knots, or bulging staples. With vinyl being as thin as it is, it must have a smooth base so that the appearance of the vinyl remains very smooth.

Does OSB need to be primed?

Some OSB only appears to have a wax surface coating, a result of the high pressure exerted on the material by the manufacturing machines. Once your board is ready, be generous with the primer. OSB’s open strands readily absorb the paint, requiring two or three coats of primer to close up the pores.

What is the best paint for OSB?

Acrylic Latex Primers If your OSB panels are used indoors, an acrylic latex primer will be an ideal base coat because it’s so easy to work with. Latex primers are fast-drying, so they can be painted over in as little as an hour. They are nearly odor-free and do not contribute to indoor air pollution.

Can I put plywood over OSB?

Your new plywood MUST be installed perpendicular to the joists, so yes it goes the same direction as the original subfloor. You of course have to offset the seams in both directions.

How do I make my painted floor shiny?

Wet mopping can damage paint and underlying floor surface on a permanent basis. One suggestion offered by a number of cleaners for maintaining the whole floor is damp mopping with a white vinegar and water solution. Floors can also be damp-mopped with a small amount of simple “green” cleaner and water.

How thick should OSB subfloor be?

23/32 inch
The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch. There are several factors that determine what subfloor thickness is optimal for added benefits like insulation.

What kind of flooring can you put on OSB board?

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. OSB, or oriented strand board, has a flaked appearance and bumpy texture. It’s a solid and popular choice for an underlayer for carpeting, tile, hardwood flooring, wall sheathing, and roofs.

What’s the difference between plywood and OSB flooring?

Keep in mind that for mechanically fastened floors, OSB doesn’t hold fasteners as well as plywood, so you need to use a thicker material to get the same holding power. Generally, the minimum thickness for plywood is 5/8 inch; for OSB it’s 23/32 inch. However, as joist spacing increases, the subfloors need to be thicker.

Can you paint a sub floor with plywood?

Here’s how we did it… It’s hard to imagine a plywood sub floor looking like anything BUT a plywood sub floor, but I can assure you that its a wonderful option if your going for a look with more character & charm. We were aiming for a chic, coastal farmhouse feel in our office so the painted plywood floor worked out perfectly for us!

Do you have to put filler on OSB before painting?

Still, their central reservation is that OSB has a thin wax coating that protects it against moisture and inhibits painting. Also, OSB’s strands’ prominently visible nature will likely show through on one coat of paint, so filler and heavy primer are probably required to remove some of the texture of the wood.

Can I use OSB for hardwood subfloor? Even so, the National Wood Flooring Association recognizes OSB as a suitable substrate for a nail-down hardwood floor under certain conditions. It specifies a minimum sheet thickness of 23/32 inches and a minimum moisture content of of 10 percent. If you do, you should have a squeak-free floor…