Is there a good alternative to Plywood for subfloor?

[carlosdeanos]

I have floor joists and have put insulation board between them. I am then using pre grooved floor grade 22mm chipboards which I put the pipes in for my underfloor heating. They ask for a 6-9mm ply to be placed over the top before the final finish. At the moment the final finish will be a vinyl tile or laminate.

 

I am just off to the building materials supplier and realised the price of ply may be really quite expensive. Can I use anything cheaper without causing issues? Cheers.

[markc]

I cant see any reason why it has to be ply, you could use Moisture Resistant MDF. Im guessing the boarding is to give some protection to the pipework and distribute floor loads.

[PeterW]

6mm ply isn’t that expensive and is more resilient than 6mm MDF. MR MDF is about the same price as ply anyway. 

[Big Jimbo]

If you are intending to use any form of glue down flooring, LVT etc you will want to use ply. Don't use MDF. I doubt you will be able to get any sort of G/Tee from your glue down flooring company, if you are asking them to stick down to MDF.

[carlosdeanos]

Thanks all, look like about £300 for the ply so will have to go with that I think.