Subfloor in underneath the floor of your RV, and these are made of OSB, plywood, and particleboard. In addition, it provides a comfortable and stable base to the flooring.
What is Recommended RV Subfloor Thickness? The recommended RV subfloor thickness depends on the vehicle model and underlayment material. Particleboard, Plywood, or OSB are suitable materials for the subfloor. For example, according to its grade, 3/4 inches, 5/8 thickness in plywood is ideal. However, it can be 1/4 or 1/2 inches also.
You have to estimate repair, replacement, or maintenance costs from the repair center. For example, the labor cost of subfloor per square foot can be $2 to $8, per hour is around $28, and total $650.
Repairing or replacing something is a difficult task, but it can be easy, so you follow the proper instructions and guidelines to proceed.
Material of the subfloor
You should have the proper knowledge and idea to ensure the product you choose is correct and significant.
Attach the sheet material to the joists with the appropriate screw and nails for the surface flooring material and underlayment.
Material best for it can be particleboard, plywood, or OSB.
Plywood or OSB is the ideal option in subfloor variety. OSB is the oriented strand board or the chipboard.
It comprises flat wood flakes arranged in layers and sealed with an epoxy resin sealant.
These have the best water absorbing capacity, are resistant to continuous swelling, and dry fast.
It’s heavy but weak when you first put it up, but as soon as it gets wet, it sags and swells twice from its original size.
Recommended Subfloor thickness in an RV
RV floor and base provide the foundation to all the equipment and stuff and hold it. Therefore, it will be dangerous if damage from any side.
You do not have to overlook these issues in this circumstance; instead, you have to solve them as soon as possible.
Although cleaning and maintenance are necessary, material quality might decline with time. So, you have to think about its replacement or repair.
There are various factors like vehicle model, material quality, and cost effect on the floor.
Subflooring is the source to avoid entrapment of moisture and air inside the vehicle by providing the base. As a result, it can seal with a resin coating to prevent degradation and rust.
Companies may use a variety of floor layouts and leveling technologies, resulting in a wide range of outcomes. Material quality also affects the thickness level like heavy have the thin layer.
If you’re going to use plywood, a thickness of 5/8 inch is preferable. You can also use Medium Density Overlay (MDO) plywood which is a good idea that has a solid epoxy fiber layer.
Its design increases its water/moisture absorption property, stability, and flatness from all its sides. It becomes more moisture-resistant if it coats with resin or paint.
Argosy Airstream motorhome of different year models like 1973, 1974 have subfloor thickness around ¾ inches while 1979 has 15/32 inches.
To get this size, you’ll need to use Maring Grade plywood. If it is not compatible with it, you can get the Regular Grade, which will be smaller than the Marine Grade.
In this way, nylon board having a thickness level of around 5/8 inches is also best for the floor replacement. Some people claim that it can cause smell, but it does not always happen or face everybody.
Why would you replace the RV sub-floor?
Finding a soft spot on your RV floor is one of the most unpleasant experiences you can have in a Motorhome. Such problems usually happen due to water entrapment.
Even the minor leakage can lead to severe damage when you ignore it. Sometimes squeaky sounds produce because nails or fasteners that attach the joists become loose. Mold or mildew growth, which can give off a musty odor, is another reason for replacement.
If you protect it from the moisture and care for it, it can stay protected for a long time. You can also install the new subfloor to the old.
Adding a subfloor in your RV
You must take your motorhome to a repair shop if you observe any damage. You should get a repair or replacement quote from them, but keep in mind that the cost can be high.
On the other hand, you can also fix or maintain it with fewer charges, extra resources, and less time.
The first step is to determine the severity of the damage and then decide on the procedure. For example, minor damage can cause soft spots, but if it is superficial, then no need for repairing.
If it needs fixing, you have to check the leakage size. Make sure the damage you assess is short.
It is a simple process, so you have to uncover the base and repair it with adhesive.
In that process, you do not need to remove, because sealing or adhesive strengthens, re-establish, and protects it to some extent.
When you replace or repair severe damage, it is a difficult task because you remove it all.
It is challenging, but you can proceed with the proper guidelines and resources. Tools required for this process can be circular saw, power drill, flooring screws, jigsaw, tape measures, and pencil.
When you assess the damage extent and need for replacement, find the joists near but far away from the affected area. Then, remove it and cut a new piece of it.
Attach it to the joist by the flooring screws and drill. If any gaps are present after placing them, you can fill them with an adhesive that protects them from further damage.
Cost of the subfloor
Its cost depends on the quality of the material. As the quality is high, the price of it also become increases. It can also vary depending on the subfloor type and RV size.
The replacement material you choose is entirely dependent on whether you want to keep the previous one or improve it.
The durability of plywood will increase if you use several flavors such as marine, sealed, and grade. However, the total cost of its replacement can be $650, excluding the flooring installation over it.
When using the Coosa board as a subfloor, the labor for three sheets can be $300, with the flooring costing up to $1200.
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