The strength of a flooring system is one of the most important factors of a building’s structural integrity. The purpose of the substrate or subfloor is to evenly distribute the weight of everything in a room across the floor joists to maintain balance and provide support. It’s the flooring system that is responsible for carrying the weight of the walls, roof, furniture and people inside.
The consequences of a poorly structured flooring system can not only affect how floor coverings perform, but also the soundness of the building. Cracks may develop from substrate movement, the subfloor can sag and become squeaky, and the structure may no longer be level. This can lead to millions of dollars in damage for commercial properties and extensive repairs that could have been avoided with proper substrate and subfloor preparation.