Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Plywood flooring is a widely used and known for strength, versatility, and affordability in comparison to solid wood.
- It is commonly used as flooring material. particularly as a subfloor, due to its layered construction and load-bearing capacity.
- The material creates a stable, level base for finished flooring surfaces.
- Plywood makes a top-level flooring if polished and finished correctly.
- This approach is suitable for cost-sensitive commercial spaces like offices, hotels, and gyms.
- Its layered design can improve durability and long-term performance.
- Plywood is known for better water resistance than MDF.
- Installation is straightforward: Its user-friendliness makes it popular for DIY projects.
- Drawbacks include lower durability than hardwood and limited visual appeal.
- Scratches and splintering can develop, especially in high-traffic areas of the home.
Plywood is one of the most popular and versatile building materials in the world, and one that’s also noticeably cheaper and stronger than the majority of plain woods.
While plywood can be used in a wide range of applications, it’s particularly widely used when laying flooring.
In this post, we’ve created a brief guide to plywood flooring, including the materials advantages and some of the potential drawbacks that you need to be aware of.
Why is Plywood a Good Material for Flooring?
In simple terms, plywood is a commonplace composite material that’s produced using multiple piles of wood.
This composition is what underpins plywood’s incredible strength and durability, while it can subsequently be finished to provide a more polished look and aesthetic.
As a cheap and competitively priced flooring material, plywood doesn’t always look aesthetically pleasing without this type of finish.
Because of this, home-owners often use plywood as a material for building out their sub-floor. This way, they can leverage the natural strength and robust nature of plywood to create a sturdy (and level) base for the top floor layer.
To know more about plywood, we have written detailed article, read Plywood: All You Like to Know!
Plywood as Top-Level Flooring
Interestingly, you can also utilise plywood as the primary material to build out both your sub and top floor levels.
This will help to reinvent the strength and durability of your floors, and once again, all that will be left for you to do is polish the top-level material and finish it to create a glossy and appealing look.
But when is this a viable option? Well, it can certainly help to reduce the cost of laying flooring in your property, making it ideal for most commercial applications.
These include those that prioritise hardwood flooring, such as hotel floors, offices, gym studios and many more!
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Plywood Flooring?
As we’ve already touched on, plywood is an engineered, composite material that’s naturally strong and robust, making it strong for virtually any environment.
The combination of various layers within plywood also ensures that the material is incredibly durable, and when combined with its low price point, makes it capable of delivering superior value for money over time.
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Unlike medium density fibreboard (which is another engineered material), plywood is also relatively water resistant and considerably less prone to water damage over an extended period of time.
It’s also incredibly easy to secure and work with, making it a popular choice of flooring material among DIY enthusiasts.
In terms of disadvantages of plywood flooring, it should be noted that plywood isn’t as durable as the hardwood alternative, and while it can be finished in various different ways, it will never match the aesthetic appeal of genuine hardwood. Of course, this is where the price difference needs to be considered in terms of value and what you’re trying to achieve.
On a final note, plywood floor is also prone to scratches and splintering. This can damage the look further over time, making it less than ideal in high-traffic homes with kids or pets.
We have also written other articles on wood flooring materials. Please refer following links:
Pros and Cons of Wood Flooring
Engineered Wood Flooring: All You Need To Know!
FAQs on Plywood Flooring
1. Is Plywood Flooring Durable Enough for Daily Use?
Yes. A Plywood flooring can handle moderate daily foot traffic well due to its layered construction. When sealed and maintained correctly, it resists warping and minor impacts, making it suitable for bedrooms, offices, and low- to medium-traffic residential or commercial spaces.
2. Can Plywood be Used as Both Subfloor and Finished Flooring?
Yes, of course! plywood can work both as subfloor and a top-level flooring material. Post-installation, the surface can be sanded, polished, and sealed to get a clean, uniform finish. Due to its inexpensive cost, plywood is often used in commercial interiors and minimalist residential designs.
3. How does Plywood Flooring Compare to Hardwood Flooring?
Plywood flooring is more affordable and installing-friendly than hardwood. However, if we compare for longevity, hardwood’s is a better choice. Plywood offers practical strength and value. Hardwood delivers superior aesthetics and a longer lifespan but at a higher cost.
4. Is Plywood Flooring Water-Resistant?
Plywood is more water-resistant than MDF due to its cross-layered structure. It can withstand occasional moisture exposure. But prolonged water contact is detrimental for a plywood floor. It is important to use a proper sealing method. Also, you need to avoid the risk of standing water on a plywood flooring. These two preventive measures can overcome its water sensitivity.
5. What are the Main Drawbacks of Plywood Flooring?
Plywood flooring is prone to surface scratches, splintering, and these damage signs get visible over time. It also lacks the premium look of natural hardwood. The vulnerability makes it less suitable for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and young children.
Author & Expert Review
Written By: 
Kinjal Mistry | Civil Engineer & Senior Content Writer
| Credentials: B.E. (Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat). Experience: Civil Engineer with 9 years of content writing experience, currently writing impactful articles for Gharpedia, part of SDCPL. Expertise: Specializes in writing well-researched content on home improvement, sustainability, building materials, home interior, DIY, and plumbing technology with everyday clarity. Find her on: LinkedIn |
Verified By Expert: 
Tanvi Lad – Senior Manager (Civil), SDCPL | B.E. in Civil Engineering
This article has been reviewed for technical, cost, and material accuracy by Tanvi Lad, Senior Manager (Civil) at Sthapati Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. With a B.E. in Civil Engineering (2013), she leads the Estimation and Tendering Department at SDCPL and has extensive experience in design review, material specifications, project costing, estimation, tender preparation, tender evaluation, and detailed engineering for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Her review ensures the content reflects appropriate material selection, accurate cost considerations, engineering feasibility, and industry-standard construction practices.
Find him on: LinkedIn
