SUBFLOR -WARM
DRY. COMFORTABLE.
What is SubFlor?
Subflor is a superior flooring product that's ideal for basements
or rooms built over concrete slab.
Tired of wasting a whole level in
your house?
If your basement isn't as comfy and cozy as the rest of your home, blame the
floor. Concrete floors are porous and can be cold and damp. But now there's a
quick, easy way to take the chill off concrete: Subflor .
Subflor consists of 2 ft. x 2 ft.
(nominal) panels just 7/8" in height that interlock to create a smooth, solid
surface, ready for the installation of virtually any finished floor covering.
So what's new? Subflor features an improved moisture barrier, with built-in
air gap technology to reduce moisture and keep your floor dry!
What can you place over Subflor?
You can place virtually any type on flooring over subflor. Subflor ADVANCE
creates a smooth solid surface ready for the installation of your favorite
finished floor: Lay down carpet or laminate flooring with ease.
Just place down the corresponding underlay and begin your installation.
Engineered hardwood can be nailed directly to the Subflor panels using
small nails. Make sure not to puncture the channeled base as it will decrease
the abilities of the moisture barrier. Installation of vinyl tile
requires a 1/4" underlay such as plywood to first be fastened to the Subflor
panels. Ceramic tile requires a cement board underlay to ensure absolute
sturdiness.
What are the main reasons for
installing a Subflor floor panel system?
Does your home have a basement, or other rooms with concrete floors? If you
and/or your family will be spending time in these rooms, Subflor
will make them much warmer, more comfortable and healthy. Covering a concrete
floor directly with a flooring product does little to compensate for the cold,
damp, and hardness of concrete. It can also lead to problems with condensation,
moisture build-up, and the growth of mildews and molds that thrive in damp
basement conditions. Subflor also helps you save on your energy
requirements for heating.
Subflor makes use of an
Intergrated Moisture Barrier to create warm, dry floors over concrete. Each
floor panel is surfaced with top-quality wood manufactured with water-resistant
natural resins and waxes. On the underside is heavy-duty polyethylene plastic
that elevates the floor and helps underlying moisture evaporate.
Whatever the choice, Subflor creates a protective layer
between your finished floor and the underlying concrete slab preventing the
common scenario of "a damp and cold basement floor".
Subflor keeps rooms with concrete
floors dry in 3 ways:
1. The heavy-duty
polyethylene plastic on the underside of each floor panel creates an airgap
above the concrete. The air in this space and the Subflor panel itself create a
thermal break and act as insulation to keep floors warm.
2. In basements, Subflor's polyethylene layer is a barrier to the
dampness that naturally rises through the porous concrete. Any moisture that
collects, including the small leaks that so often occur in basements, can flow
freely under Subflor to the floor drain with no damage to Subflor panels or the
finishes applied overtop. The airgap also allows the concrete to breathe and
dry, ensuring a healthier living environment.
3. Subflor is an ergonomic, resilient product that provides the
ideal surface for healthful walking and play. At the same time, it is strong
enough to support the heaviest objects, such as pool tables or exercise
equipment.
STOCKED IN 2 x 2 PANELS
You can place just about
any floor covering over Subflor
Subflor creates a smooth solid
surface ready for the installation of your favorite finished floor
Lay down carpet or laminate flooring with ease. Just place
down the corresponding underlayment and begin your installation.
Engineered hardwood Flooring can be nailed directly to the
Subflor panels using small nails. Make sure not to puncture the chanelled base
as it will decrease the abilities of the moisture barrier.
Installation of vinyl tile requires a 1/4" underlayment such
as plywood to first be fastened to the Subflor panels. Ceramic tile requires a
cement board underlayment to ensure absolute sturdiness.
Whatever the choice, Subflor
creates a protective layer between your finished floor and the underlying
concrete floor or slab preventing the common scenario of "a damp and cold
basement floor".
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main reasons for
installing a Subflor floor panel system?
Does your home have a basement, or other rooms with concrete floors? If you
and/or your family will be spending time in these rooms, Subflor will make them
much warmer, more comfortable and healthy. Covering a concrete floor directly
with a flooring product does little to compensate for the cold, damp, and
hardness of concrete. It can also lead to problems with condensation, moisture
build-up, and the growth of mildews and molds that thrive in damp basement
conditions. Subflor also helps you save on your energy requirements for heating.
How much headroom will I lose with
Subflor ?
Very little! A Subflor panel is only 7/8" in total thickness. This is less than
half the height of the wood sleeper system traditionally used for a Subfloor in
basements or other rooms with concrete floors.
Is Subflor able to support heavy
furniture or objects?
Subflor can support the heaviest of furniture from pool tables to exercise
equipment. Its strength is far beyond the normal requirements of use within the
home. The panel has been rated for a weight capacity up tp 2000 per square foot.
Can I install Subflor by myself?
Without a doubt! There is no nailing, gluing or screwing required. The 2' x 2'
panels (nominal) are easy to handle and feature a tongue-and-groove design. It's
a simple matter to fit them together and tap them snugly into place using a
standard hammer and a block of wood. (The wood is used to cushion and distribute
the impact of the hammer.) Easy-to-follow instructions are included in every
package of Subflor .
How long does it take to install
Subflor in the average basement?
Subflor is so simple to install that even a non-handy homeowner can complete a
standard-sized basement in a matter of hours. It typically takes about one to
two hours to install 200 sq. ft. of Subflor panels. Using traditional methods,
the same floor area would involve several days of work.
My floor isn't even. Can I still
use Subflor ?
The Subflor leveling kit makes it simple to compensate for minor irregularities
in the level of the floor. The kit can be purchased wherever Subflor panels are
sold and includes instructions for use. If the floor has major imperfections or
dips, then floor leveling compound should be used to prepare the concrete floor
surface before Subflor is installed.
What floor coverings can I place
overtop of my Subflor flooring system?
Subflor creates a smooth solid surface that is ready for the installation of
most floor coverings, from carpeting to laminate flooring and engineered
hardwood flooring. It is not suitable for ceramic tile, which requires a fully
rigid surface. Whatever choice you make, we recommend you follow the
manufacturers' instructions on installing your new flooring.
Does Subflor prevent mold?
Mold may cause allergenic and respiratory problems. Subflor largely seals off
the concrete floor. Concrete consists of a capillary system where if being
unportected to the earth by a plastic vapor barrier the concrete will assume the
humidty of the earth. Hence, allowing moisture vapor (a gas) into the basement
and possibly condense into moisture. Subflor discourages this movement of
moisture, and is an effective barrier to keep it from freely entering the
atmosphere.
What makes Subflor unique?
There has never been a product quite like Subflor . Subflor represents a major
in flooring for basements and rooms built over concrete slabs. It is a
high-performance "floating floor" system that consists of a superior grade of
oriented strand board affixed to a layer of plastic. The channels acts as "feet"
to elevate the floor 1/4" above the concrete floor. Together, these two
components create a floor system that will help to keep you and your family warm
and dry for years to come.
How does Subflor work?
Once Subflor is installed, the plastic on the underside of each panel creates an
"air gap". This allows the concrete floor to breathe and dry. The air in the air
gap and the Subflor panel itself create a thermal break and act as a barrier to
the cold of the concrete and surrounding soils. As a result, floors are
considerably warmer. Subflor works in other ways. Subflor 's polyethylene layer
is a barrier to the dampness that naturally rises through the porous concrete.
Any moisture that collects under the Subflor , including the small leaks that so
often occur in basements, will be channeled freely towards the floor drain.
How long will Subflor last?
Subflor is warranted to last for 25 years. However, it is made of durable,
high-performance materials that with normal wear should last for many years
more.
Can Subflor be used in conjunction
with radiant water heating?
Yes, Subflor panels can be used in conjunction with radiant water heating.
Typical radiant heat systems work at a constant temperature of about 100 deg. F.
The membrane can withstand heat as high as 175 deg. F. Radiant heat will have no
effect on both the adhesive and the wood layer of the Subflor panels.
Accordingly, there should be no concerns in applying Subflor over concrete with
radiant heat systems.
How much does a Subflor panel
weigh?
Each panel weighs in at about 7.5 Lbs. This light weight makes it easy to
transport Subflor to wherever you need to go!
I have a moving/shaking washer or
dryer atop of my Subflor - what should I do?
If you have a concern with a washer or dryer moving/shaking on the surface of
the Subfor , it is recommended that you fasten the Subflor directly to the
concrete floor. The panels directly below the appliance can be fastened using 2"
self-tapping concert screws placed in the centre of each affected panel.
For more information, please visit
http://www.subflor.com/ADVANCE/home.asp
