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Prep a Plywood Subfloor for Hardwood or Laminate Flooring

Holly Honeycutt

By Holly Honeycutt
Updated October 20, 2023

Prepping a plywood subfloor is crucial for hardwood or laminate floors to last. We'll show you how to make a durable subfloor with these steps.

Skill

Intermediate

Time

One Weekend

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Look Beneath the Surface

The key to a beautiful, long-lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well-prepared subfloor.

Before you install your plywood subfloor, first calculate the room’s square footage to find out how much flooring you’ll need to buy. Do this by multiplying the room’s length by its width. If you have an irregularly shaped room, divide it into smaller squares and rectangles, and calculate the square footage of each smaller area; then add them all together. When you buy, add 10% to the total. This allowance covers imprecise math, irregular pieces and cutting mistakes.

Be sure to read the flooring manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Know and follow all local building codes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, Lowe’s installation services may be the easiest way to handle your hardwood or laminate installation.

These instructions apply only to preparing a plywood subfloor. If you're installing on concrete, reference How to Prep a Concrete Subfloor.

Clean the Subfloor

Instructions

Prepare the Subfloor

Follow these steps to prep the subfloor.

Instructions

Create a Guide

Mark a guideline on your subfloor to run a square floor.

Instructions

Install Your New Floor

You’re almost ready to install your new floor. Remember: Flooring requires at least 72 hours to acclimate to your home’s temperature and humidity levels prior to installation. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for specifics on acclimation periods.