Subfloor for Bathroom Vinyl

FunkyMunkey

Hi Guys,

I've bought some vinyl sheet flooring for the bathroom, but can't work out what the heck to do about the subfloor.

I read in one place that I need to use "flooring grade" hardboard (which, I'd read somewhere else means 6mm hardboard) rough side up, but I can't find 6mm hardboard anywhere - it's all 3mm stuff!

Has anyone got any idea what I should do/use?

Thanks in advance

Trimmer_2

The flooring grade hardboard I buy is listed as eucalyptus (not pre-shrunk). This means that I have to wet it down then let it dry before installing any of it (otherwise it can expand and "blow" / lift).As to shiny or rough side up it depends on which flooring contractor you ask, we all seem to have a different opinion, some say one way if gluing vinyl down but in my view you shouldn't bond to hardboard, loose laying or perimeter fixing its fine for. Personally, I prefer to use 4mm ply unless its a particularly uneven floor then I'll use 6mm and a latex product made by F Balls called F700 flex (designed to be used over wood floors without breaking up).

FunkyMunkey

So where would I get flooriing grade hardboard? A building contractor? Timber merchant?

GiraffePC

As Trimmer says, outdoor-grade plywood would be better, especially in a bathroom!

Peter.

a&akay

I've used 3mm in the bathroom, shiny side down, to stop reflection of gaps in 4 inch t&g floorboards and the slight curl you can get in them into my vinyl. After a year's worth of heavy usage there is no sign of the floorboards in the vinyl.