What kind of plywood is needed for laminate flooring?

When choosing plywood for laminate, it is necessary to take into account not only the size and thickness of the sheets, but also the material from which it is made. Having familiarized yourself with all the necessary characteristics, you can select sheets suitable for finishing the room.

Choosing plywood for laminate

It is necessary to choose the highest quality plywood. The most important parameters when choosing sheets are as follows:

1. Size and thickness of sheets.
2. Strength.
3. Number of layers.
4. Type of processing.

Therefore, when choosing, it is important to pay attention not to appearance, but to the quality of the product.

Thickness

To choose the right thickness, you need to determine on what base the boards will be mounted, and in what way we will do this. There are several basics on which the choice of thickness will depend:

1. Concrete screed. About 1.5 cm. The sheets are folded in one layer.
2. Plank floor. At least 1.8 cm. You can also get by with one layer.
3. Lags. It is recommended to make two layers with a total thickness of 3.5 cm. You can make both layers the same, but the best solution would be to make the bottom layer (about 2 cm) and the top layer (about 1.5 cm). When choosing thickness, check the seams between the joists. The larger they are, the thicker the laminate will be needed.

The thickness is determined by the number of layers of wood from which it is made. The average thickness of each layer is from 1 to 1.5 cm. This indicator also depends on the manufacturer (they make a different number of layers and different sizes of material).

Note! If a sheet of plywood is very thick, this does not mean that it will be rigid and strong. When choosing, the most important thing to pay attention to is the number of layers. Thin tiles with multiple layers can be stronger than thick tiles with a single layer.

Sheet size

Regarding size, plywood can be formatted or larger than formatted. The first type has maximum dimensions of 1525x1525 cm, the second - 3000x1500 cm. Each type has pros and cons. For example, smaller plywood will have more joints, making the material less rigid. But at the same time, it is more convenient to work with it. When choosing a size, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the room itself, since the selected material provides for a minimum number of amendments.

What material to choose from

Pine, spruce and birch are used to create plywood. Cheaper and more accessible wood is used for the inner layers. It is very easy to distinguish the material; coniferous wood has rich colors and patterns, while birch is light.

Strength and resistance to deformation are higher in birch material (by about 10%). Therefore, birch is more suitable for rooms where floor loads are always high. But the density and weight are greater than those of coniferous products. This will make installation more difficult. The price of birch is higher.

Needles are more practical. She has the following advantages:

1. The price is lower than for birch.
2. Less weight.
3. Protection against fungus, rot and mold, since wood contains oils.

Reference! This material is more suitable for rooms with little floor load and rooms with a high percentage of humidity (for example, a bathroom).

When choosing plywood for laminate, take into account the thickness of the sheets, but also the material from which the sheets are made.These options will help you choose the product that suits your space.