I am putting a new 3/4″ oak strip flooring in my remodeled kitchen. The existing floor was three different layers of vinyl and cork over 3/4″ particle board and 1/2″ plywood. I am removing all the vinyl and cork. Is it ok to nail the oak strip to the particle board? The guy at Home Depot says no problem. My father and a friend say maybe problem. Thanks.
Cyrus
Replies
Check with the manufacturer. Info is probably available on their web site.
Can't see it from here but it sounds like that particle board has been abused long enough. Put it out of it's misery! I doubt it wil have holding power for the flooring nails without chipping out.
But if you really want to take advice from HD, Think of the Toyota slogan, You asked for it...
My experience has been, when you find 1/2" and 3/4" sub-flooring the 3/4" is the old type of particle board (aka beaver board) and over the life of your hardwood floor you may have a problem. I would side with your older consultants, or at least go back and ask the guy at HD how many floors he has installed.
I have heard there are two types of particle board. Is there an easy way to tell which type I have? Is it just the size of the particles that is different?
If I replace the particle board, what should I replace it with? Plywood, OSB, ?
Cyrus
I would get rid of the particleboard and replace it with 3/4" plywood, especially if the structural subfloor is only 1/2" plywood. (Particleboard has no structural integrity) Nails generally don't hold too well in PB, and if it was in a kitchen, there's a good chance it's absorbed some moisture and is no longer flat.
PB underlayment is generally of the larger particle variety. MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is used for cabinetry and millwork, among other things.
Thanks for the advice. Naturally I was hoping not to replace the particle board but it sounds like if I want to do the job right, I better.
The easy way to tell is to expose some of the particle board, if it has a rough surface and flakes off when you srcape it with a chisel it should be replaced. OSB or plywood? I use T&G Sturdifloof and glue and screw it, but that is just my way.
Thanks for the suggestion. I notice there is OSB and plywood sturdifloor. Which do you use and what is the difference between sturdifloor and regular plywood or OSB?
NO
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
I didn't quite understand that - could you repeat that?
Which word didn't you understand!!!???
T Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Cyrus,
Redstaines had a good post s little bit earlier.
Particle board may be good for a few things, but holding nails and structural integrity aren't on that list.
OSB is another material that I wouldn't use to nail a floor to.
Strip your flooring down to the half-inch ply. If that still looks good, run 3/4 ply over that, first putting down felt or red rosin paper (optional). Treat the 3/4 ply as an underlayment...nailing/screwing it into the joists, as well as screwing it to the half-inch every 8-10" or so in the field. Going back, if the half-inch ply looks shakey, you can pull that and run a new 3/4" subfloor over the joists. I'd venture the half-inch still has integrity, though.
Run your hardwood over the new 3/4" "underlayment" as described in the hardwoods council's installation methods. They also have nailing schedules. DIYers tend to use far too few nails, resulting in squeeks.