How to Know if my Subfloor is Non-Porous Before Installation
Updated on: December 10, 2025
You've made the smart choice with Canopy Flex—our self-adhering tile offers beautiful stone looks and installation ease, thanks to our patented SetaGrip™ technology.
This technology allows the tile to be repositioned easily, yet it holds securely to the subfloor. But here’s the key: for SetaGrip™ to perform optimally, it needs to be installed over a non-porous subfloor. At Canopy, our long-standing passion for flooring means we dive deep into the technical details so you don't have to.
Understanding your subfloor's porosity is essential for a regret-free floor. This doesn't apply to our LVP (which uses a floating click system), but it's crucial for the self-adhering backing of Canopy Flex.
What is Porosity, and Why Does it Matter for Flex?
Porosity refers to how much a material can absorb liquid (like water, adhesive, or in this case, the backing compound of SetaGrip™).
- Porous Subfloor (Bad): Materials like unfinished wood (plywood/OSB) or raw concrete are highly porous. They would absorb the SetaGrip™ compound before it can form its strong bond, leading to shifting or compromised adhesion.
- Non-Porous Subfloor (Good): These materials, like sealed concrete, metal, or vinyl sheeting, resist absorption, allowing the SetaGrip™ backing to form a stable, secure surface connection.
Your Subfloor Porosity Checklist: Testing & Treating
Since Canopy Flex relies on a surface connection, not absorption, we need a dense, non-porous foundation.
Non-Porous Materials – Laying Flex Directly
If your existing subfloor is any of the following, you can generally proceed after confirming it is clean and flat (per our preparation checklist):
- Sealed or Primed Concrete: Concrete that has been properly sealed or treated with a concrete primer.
- Existing Sheet Vinyl or VCT: Old, non-cushioned vinyl sheet or vinyl composite tile (VCT) that is firmly bonded and in good condition.
- Metal or Painted Floors: Any surface treated with an epoxy or non-porous coating.
Porous Materials – Required Treatment
If your subfloor is unfinished wood or raw concrete, it must be treated to become non-porous before installing Canopy Flex.
- Unfinished Plywood/OSB: You must seal the wood subfloor. This usually involves applying a latex-based primer or sealant rated for flooring installation. The goal is to create a film over the wood that prevents absorption.
- Raw, Untreated Concrete: Raw concrete is highly porous. It must be treated with a suitable concrete primer to seal the surface and ensure the SetaGrip™ backing can bond correctly.
The Simple Water Test
Need a quick check? You can perform a simple water test on your subfloor:
- Place a small puddle of water (1-2 inches wide) on a cleaned section of the subfloor.
- Watch how quickly the water is absorbed.
- Result: If the water soaks in and disappears almost immediately (within seconds), your subfloor is highly porous and requires a primer/sealer. If the water beads up or takes several minutes to absorb, it's likely non-porous enough for Canopy Flex.
By taking the simple step of ensuring your subfloor is non-porous, you are guaranteeing that the patented SetaGrip™ technology and the internal fiberglass mesh of Canopy Flex can deliver the superior, shifting-free stability it was designed for.
Your Next Step: Prime the Surface, Order a Sample
We believe beautiful homes start with the floor, and that includes the surface underneath. Ensuring your subfloor is non-porous is the key to unlocking the full, regret-free potential of your Canopy Flex stone-look tile.
Curious about the Canopy difference? The best way to know is to see and feel it! Ready to take the next step? Simply Order a Sample or Find a Local Retailer and discover why we believe beautiful homes start with the floor.
You might be interested in
