subfloor options

[dieselfish]

I know there is much debate on plywood vs. osb , but I need some opinions as to which I should use for replacing my floor. I am doing kitchen - dining room - and bath. I plan on selling the house in 2 years. I am doing laminate in the kitchen and dining room , and ceramic in the bath.

[Tom R]

Personally, I'd use plywood all the way.

But if you know you're selling in two years, - - your choice if you want to save a few bucks with the OSB and leave the next guy to worry about swelling issues when and if it ever gets wet.

DON'T use OSB under ceramics, period.

[dieselfish]

you know what's ironic . Our lowes stores the skids of osb outside. They are all swelled on the edges and the straps are still on the load. I dont know how they could leave it outside like that and still sell it.

[zkt]

Use plywood. Lowes is selling a water repelant treated top surface t&g plywood now, not a bad idea and hellofalot cheaper to treat it yourself.

[burnzzy81]

Definitely go with plywood. Our current house has OSB and even though it was installed shortly before we moved in, it is already horribly squeaky. There is hardly a place in the living room you can walk without loud creaks and groans. We are tempted to tear up the carpeting just to replace the subfloor.

[Don_P]

Why do you think the osb is causing the squeeks? It sounds like it was improperly nailed, subfloor glue was not used or the joists were incorrect for the application. OSB has no more tendancy to squeek than plywood. I think you might be looking at the wrong thing.

[Cjg117]

The OSB is not what is causing the squeaks. It is the nail holding the subfloor down that is rubbing against the floor joices. Probably just missed the center of the joice and is rubbing every time you step on the spot.

[bighammer]

I use 2 subfloors

1. OSB based product called "Stable-edge"
2. Advantak - not sure if that is the correct spelling, but you get the drift

I had framed lots of houses using traditional CDX type subflooring, however, the last 3 to 5 years I have used nothing but the engineered products and never sanded a floor since, I have had a great exprienance with it and would endorse it.

If "special" flooring is going to be applied over the subfloor, you can than install a multi-ply underlayment

[architect]

Make sure to use a cement fiberboard in the bathroom with CT.