Comments on: Installing hardwood floor, how do I handle the particle board subfloor? http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:35:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Steve in NC http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/#comment-1303 Steve in NC Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:37:59 +0000 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor#comment-1303 Do not and I repeat do not put a layer over the particle board. Either remove the particle board and put down the proper plywood underlayment or accept the consequences of a poor job. This is one case where the extra time and expense of doing it completely correctly will pay off. Particle board should never be used anywhere in my opinion - it's cheap crap!! I wouldn't even use it for a dog house floor!<br><b>References : </b><br>General contractor: 20 years Do not and I repeat do not put a layer over the particle board. Either remove the particle board and put down the proper plywood underlayment or accept the consequences of a poor job. This is one case where the extra time and expense of doing it completely correctly will pay off. Particle board should never be used anywhere in my opinion – it’s cheap crap!! I wouldn’t even use it for a dog house floor!
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General contractor: 20 years

]]> By: Jennifer J http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/#comment-1302 Jennifer J Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:10:59 +0000 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor#comment-1302 cut the old out and replace it with the plywood. the particle board can cause some uneven-ness in the hardwood at a later date, it's just not a good move<br><b>References : </b><br> cut the old out and replace it with the plywood. the particle board can cause some uneven-ness in the hardwood at a later date, it’s just not a good move
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]]> By: jlo003 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/#comment-1301 jlo003 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:28:59 +0000 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor#comment-1301 The main reason you cant install 3/4 wood over particle board is because the particle board can not support it when it shifts and does not handle well when nailing into it. I think that as long as you could get most of the particle board up you should be in the clear with new plywood as your subfloor. If you haven't bought the wood yet I would suggest an engineered hardwood floor ( not laminate) It can be installed over the particle board because you can buy them to float. They are still considered real hardwood and you can refinish them one time if you need to. If you have to change to plywood getting it our fo the way as far as you can might work but I would test it by puting a couple of pieces of wood nailed down at the edge. My main concern is that it will not hold up aroung the edges when the house shifts, The particle board will Shift/Shrink/Swell at different levels than plywood will. Good luck<br><b>References : </b><br> The main reason you cant install 3/4 wood over particle board is because the particle board can not support it when it shifts and does not handle well when nailing into it. I think that as long as you could get most of the particle board up you should be in the clear with new plywood as your subfloor.
If you haven’t bought the wood yet I would suggest an engineered hardwood floor ( not laminate) It can be installed over the particle board because you can buy them to float. They are still considered real hardwood and you can refinish them one time if you need to.

If you have to change to plywood getting it our fo the way as far as you can might work but I would test it by puting a couple of pieces of wood nailed down at the edge. My main concern is that it will not hold up aroung the edges when the house shifts, The particle board will Shift/Shrink/Swell at different levels than plywood will.

Good luck
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]]> By: winterrules http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/#comment-1300 winterrules Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:21:59 +0000 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor#comment-1300 If the subfloor is strong enough to support other types of flooring it should support hardwood floors. If your concern is that it won't hold nails use longer nails and be sure to nail through the subfloor into the joists or install a glue down floor or a floating floor.<br><b>References : </b><br> If the subfloor is strong enough to support other types of flooring it should support hardwood floors. If your concern is that it won’t hold nails use longer nails and be sure to nail through the subfloor into the joists or install a glue down floor or a floating floor.
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]]> By: DIY Doc http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/#comment-1299 DIY Doc Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:04:59 +0000 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor#comment-1299 Is this an accident of a keystroke? Ah no it's more of what you added as detail in the previous Q. Remove any Cove base, and install another Sub/Sub floor, If in fact your convinced by others, that the structure was designed with the abstract intent of having sub flooring that would become a sponge. Steven Wolf WOOD flooring seems to be a popular trend. I still suggest you tour NEW construction to see what materials are being used. I assume you'll find a fair amount of "Particle" or MDF being used for sub-flooring.<br><b>References : </b><br>45 plus years as a contractor Is this an accident of a keystroke?

Ah no it’s more of what you added as detail in the previous Q.

Remove any Cove base, and install another Sub/Sub floor, If in fact your convinced by others, that the structure was designed with the abstract intent of having sub flooring that would become a sponge.

Steven Wolf

WOOD flooring seems to be a popular trend. I still suggest you tour NEW construction to see what materials are being used. I assume you’ll find a fair amount of "Particle" or MDF being used for sub-flooring.
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45 plus years as a contractor

]]> By: Ben J http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor/#comment-1298 Ben J Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:25:59 +0000 http://www.iloveplywood.com/hardwood-plywood/installing-hardwood-floor-how-do-i-handle-the-particle-board-subfloor#comment-1298 Don't replace it. Place plywood over the subfloor.<br><b>References : </b><br> Don’t replace it. Place plywood over the subfloor.
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