Subflooring Installation: Types, Methods, and Techniques

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a key factor to consider when selecting subflooring material?

Accepted Answer

Appearance

Answer

Load-bearing capacity

Answer

Cost

Answer

Moisture resistance

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of using a vapor barrier beneath subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To prevent moisture damage

Answer

To improve insulation

Answer

To reduce noise transmission

Answer

To increase subflooring strength

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT typically used as a subflooring material?

Accepted Answer

Sheetrock

Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer

Plywood

Answer

Particle board

Question 4

When installing subflooring, it is essential to maintain a gap between the sheets to accommodate:

Accepted Answer

Expansion and contraction

Answer

Easier fastening

Answer

Improved insulation

Answer

Better drainage

Question 5

Which type of fastener is industry-recommended for installing subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Screws

Answer

Nails

Answer

Staples

Answer

Bolts

Question 6

To address a large gap between the subflooring and the wall, it is appropriate to:

Accepted Answer

Install a ledger board

Answer

Fill the gap with insulation

Answer

Cut the subflooring to fit snugly

Answer

Ignore the gap

Question 7

In residential construction, what is the standard thickness for subflooring?

Accepted Answer

3/4 inch

Answer

1/2 inch

Answer

1 inch

Answer

1 1/4 inch

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a typical material used for subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Drywall

Answer

Plywood

Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer

Concrete

Question 9

What is the purpose of staggering subflooring joints?

Accepted Answer

To increase strength and prevent cracks

Answer

To make installation easier

Answer

To reduce noise

Answer

To improve ventilation

Question 10

Which power tool is commonly used to cut subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Circular saw

Answer

Table saw

Answer

Miter saw

Answer

Reciprocating saw

Question 11

What is a 'blocking' in subflooring?

Accepted Answer

A short piece of lumber placed between joists to support subflooring

Answer

A type of adhesive used to bond subflooring to joists

Answer

A tool used to level subflooring

Answer

A measurement used to determine the spacing between subflooring joints

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To provide a stable and level base for flooring

Answer

To insulate the building from cold and heat

Answer

To support the weight of the building

Answer

To prevent moisture from entering the building

Question 13

What is the primary purpose of subflooring in a residential construction?

Accepted Answer

To provide a stable and level surface for flooring

Answer

To insulate the house against heat loss

Answer

To prevent moisture from entering the house

Answer

To support plumbing and electrical lines

Question 14

What is the primary purpose of installing a vapor barrier beneath subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Prevent moisture damage to the subfloor

Answer

Enhance insulation

Answer

Reduce noise levels

Answer

Provide a level surface for flooring

Question 15

Which tool is typically used to fasten subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Nail gun

Answer

Staple gun

Answer

Screw gun

Answer

Hammer

Question 16

How does the spacing and placement of subfloor joists influence the structural integrity of a floor system?

Accepted Answer

Closer spacing and longer joists strengthen the floor, making it more resistant to bending and deflection.

Answer

Wider spacing and shorter joists enhance the floor's ability to bear weight.

Answer

The placement of joists is irrelevant to the floor's structural integrity.

Answer

The primary determinant of a floor's structural strength is the type of subflooring material used.

Question 17

What is the recommended spacing for joist supports when installing subflooring?

Accepted Answer

16 inches on center

Answer

12 inches on center

Answer

24 inches on center

Answer

32 inches on center

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of using a moisture barrier under subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To prevent moisture from penetrating the subfloor

Answer

To provide a sound barrier

Answer

To increase insulation

Answer

To improve airflow

Question 19

Which type of subflooring is suitable for use in bathrooms and high-moisture environments in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Plywood with a moisture-resistant coating

Answer

OSB

Answer

Particleboard

Answer

Fiberboard with a vapor barrier

Question 20

Which tool is primarily used to measure the deflection of subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Deflectometer

Answer

Level

Answer

Transit

Answer

Straightedge

Question 21

For residential applications, what is the minimum thickness requirement for subflooring?

Accepted Answer

1/2 inch

Answer

3/8 inch

Answer

5/8 inch

Answer

3/4 inch

Question 22

Which type of subflooring is best suited for installation in areas prone to high levels of moisture?

Accepted Answer

Cement board

Answer

Plywood

Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer

Chipboard

Question 23

What is the primary purpose of installing a vapor barrier beneath the subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To prevent moisture penetration into the subfloor

Answer

To reduce sound transmission

Answer

To enhance thermal insulation

Answer

To deter termite infestation

Question 24

Which power tool is commonly used for cutting subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Circular saw

Answer

Table saw

Answer

Jigsaw

Answer

Hand saw

Question 25

Apart from a circular saw, identify another power tool specifically designed for subflooring installation and explain its main purpose.

Accepted Answer

Nail Gun

Answer

Miter Saw

Answer

Drill

Answer

Sander

Question 26

Which type of subflooring is recommended for areas prone to moisture exposure?

Accepted Answer

Pressure-treated plywood

Answer

Solid wood planks

Answer

Chipboard

Answer

Laminate

Question 27

Which of the following tools is used to locate and mark the position of floor joists?

Accepted Answer

Stud finder

Answer

Chalk line

Answer

Level

Answer

Tape measure

Question 28

What is the primary purpose of a moisture barrier when installed under subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To prevent water damage to the subflooring

Answer

To reduce dust and debris

Answer

To improve the thermal insulation of the floor

Answer

To reduce noise transmission

Question 29

In residential construction, which code establishes the minimum thickness requirements for subflooring?

Accepted Answer

IRC

Answer

ASTM C627

Answer

NAHB Standard

Answer

AWC Wood Construction Guide

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of installing a moisture barrier beneath subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To protect the subflooring from moisture damage

Answer

To reduce noise levels

Answer

To provide additional insulation

Answer

To improve indoor air quality

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a suitable type of underlayment to install over subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Plastic sheeting

Answer

Felt paper

Answer

Foam underlayment

Answer

Cork underlayment

Question 32

In residential construction, which material is typically NOT used as subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Concrete

Answer

Plywood

Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Question 33

How does subflooring quality and installation affect the durability of the final flooring?

Accepted Answer

Improper subflooring installation can cause the final flooring to buckle or warp.

Answer

The quality of the subflooring material does not impact the durability of the final flooring.

Answer

Subflooring levelness has no bearing on the durability of the final flooring.

Question 34

Which of the following is a widely used type of subflooring material?

Accepted Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer

Cement board

Answer

Sheetrock

Answer

Laminate flooring

Question 35

What is the main purpose of installing subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To provide a sturdy base for finished flooring

Answer

To level the floor

Answer

To insulate the floor

Answer

To create a moisture barrier

Question 36

What is the most common size for subflooring panels?

Accepted Answer

4 feet by 8 feet

Answer

3 feet by 5 feet

Answer

5 feet by 10 feet

Question 37

What is the primary function of subflooring in a construction project?

Accepted Answer

To create a stable and level base for the floor covering

Answer

To serve as a moisture barrier for the floor

Answer

To provide insulation against cold and noise

Question 38

What type of fastener is typically recommended for installing subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Ring shank nails

Answer

Construction adhesive

Answer

Staples

Answer

Screw nails

Question 39

What is the main purpose of installing a vapor barrier underneath subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To prevent moisture from entering and damaging the subflooring

Answer

To provide additional insulation

Answer

To improve soundproofing qualities

Question 40

During the installation of subflooring, what is the recommended spacing between floor joists?

Accepted Answer

16 inches on center

Answer

12 inches on center

Answer

32 inches on center

Answer

24 inches on center

Question 41

Which of the following tools is NOT suitable for cutting subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Drywall saw

Answer

Circular saw

Answer

Miter saw

Answer

Jigsaw

Question 42

For a bathroom with high levels of moisture, which type of subflooring would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Plywood with moisture-resistant overlay (MRO)

Answer

Particleboard

Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer

Standard plywood

Question 43

What is the main reason for using a moisture barrier when installing subflooring?

Accepted Answer

To protect the subflooring and structural components from moisture damage

Answer

To improve sound insulation

Answer

To enhance the structural strength of the subfloor

Question 44

When installing subflooring panels, what is the recommended minimum overlap?

Accepted Answer

6 inches

Answer

12 inches

Answer

No overlap is necessary

Answer

3 inches

Question 45

Why is it important to stagger the joints when installing subfloor panels?

Accepted Answer

To distribute weight evenly and prevent weak points in the floor

Answer

To reduce the amount of subfloor material needed

Answer

To make the floor look more visually appealing

Question 46

Which of these is NOT a common material used for subflooring?

Accepted Answer

Concrete

Answer

Plywood

Answer

Adhesive-backed underlayment

Answer

OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

Question 47

What is the purpose of using a subfloor screed?

Accepted Answer

To create a smooth and level surface for the finished floor

Answer

To reinforce the subfloor structure

Answer

To prevent moisture from entering the subfloor

Question 48

In areas with lots of foot traffic, what's the BEST way to fasten subfloor panels to joists?

Accepted Answer

Using screws driven through the panels into the joists

Answer

Using nails driven through the panels into the joists

Answer

Using glue to adhere the panels to the joists

Question 49

Which of these is NOT considered a type of subflooring material?

Accepted Answer

Laminate flooring

Answer

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer

Plywood

Answer

Concrete

Question 50

When installing plywood subflooring, what's the recommended spacing between joists?

Accepted Answer

16 inches on center

Answer

32 inches on center

Answer

12 inches on center

Answer

24 inches on center

Question 51

Which fastener is MOST commonly used to attach subflooring to joists?

Accepted Answer

Ring shank nails

Answer

Screws

Answer

Brads

Answer

Staples

Question 52

Why is a vapor barrier important when installing subflooring over a crawl space?

Accepted Answer

To prevent moisture from rising into the subflooring

Answer

To provide additional insulation

Answer

To reduce noise transmission

Question 53

What's the recommended MINIMUM thickness for plywood subflooring in a typical house?

Accepted Answer

3/4 inch

Answer

1/2 inch

Answer

1 inch

Answer

5/8 inch

Question 54

What's a common reason for squeaky subfloors?

Accepted Answer

Loose nails or screws

Answer

Joists that are uneven

Answer

Subflooring that's the wrong size

Answer

Too much moisture

Question 55

What is the typical orientation of subflooring panels when installed over joists?

Accepted Answer

Perpendicular to the joists

Answer

Diagonal to the joists

Answer

Parallel to the joists

Answer

Staggered

Question 56

Which of the following tools is used to measure and cut subflooring accurately?

Accepted Answer

Circular saw

Answer

Jigsaw

Answer

Miter saw

Question 57

When installing subflooring around obstacles, such as plumbing pipes, what is the best practice to ensure a snug fit?

Accepted Answer

Use a jigsaw to cut notches in the subflooring

Answer

Cut the subflooring with a utility knife

Answer

Leave a gap around the obstacle

Question 58

What safety precaution should be taken when using power tools during subflooring installation?

Accepted Answer

Wear safety glasses and hearing protection

Answer

Use a sharp blade

Answer

Secure the subflooring before cutting

Answer

Cut towards yourself