When it comes to subfloors, many installers want something that is going to last, but they also want something that isn’t going to cost them a fortune. Particle board is inexpensive, but when you are installing something like laminate, can it go over particle board?
You can put laminate over particle board, but it is strongly advised to avoid this if possible. Particle board is very susceptible to moisture which can cause it to swell and deform. It’s also not a suitable subfloor when it comes to stability as it is not structurally supprotive.
Particle board is a material that is a great option when it comes to cutting down your expenses, but when it comes to using a reliable material that will support the new laminate floor you are laying down, it is not the best option. If you are looking to install laminate over particle board, continue reading to find out if you can install laminate over this material, if you should, and how you should go about installing laminate over particle board if you must do so.
Can You Lay Laminate Over Particle Board?
Laminate flooring has come a very long way from the single sheet of synthetic material that was laid down in homes during the ‘70s and ‘80s and has shaped into a material that can even be deemed luxurious. Laminate flooring comes in a slew of different varieties, but they offer those installing the ability to have a floor that is scratch resistant, fade resistant, and incredibly durable no matter how often it is used. However, can you lay it over particle board?
Laminate can be laid over particle board, but it is not advised. Particle board is made of a material that allows moisture to seep in very easily which can lead to the warping of the particle board. However, if you have no other option but to install laminate over particle board, you can do so by following a few different installation methods to help your laminate last over time without deterioration beneath it.
Although you can install laminate over particle board, this method of installation over this particular material is something that is strongly advised against. However, there are times when individuals find themselves in a position where they have no choice but to install laminate over particle board. If you are in this position, the most important thing you can do is properly prepare and install so that your floor will be able to wear well over time.
Should You Put Laminate Over Particle Board?
For any project, there are a variety of different avenues that you can take to get to the same outcome. What is important to understand though is that not all of these routes are going to lead to the most optimal outcome. When it comes to installing laminate floors, it may seem that there is no wrong method, however, when you are faced with installing this material over particle board, should you do so?
Although you can install laminate floors over particle board, this is not something that you should do if it can be avoided. One of the many problems of particle board is that it is not engineered in a way that allows it to be a structurally sound material. This means that if you have particle board beneath your feet and acting as a subfloor, it will not be able to sustain itself over time in the way that other materials are able to.
When it comes to your floors, the most important feature is not how they look, but how they are able to sustain over time. If you have particle board beneath your laminate floors, they are incredibly susceptible to moisture, which creates yet another strike against them when it comes to structural soundness. Therefore, to create the strongest base possible, particle board should be avoided when used as the subfloor beneath particle board.
How To Install Laminate Over Particle Board
The first, most important step that you should start with is cleaning the particle board once you have removed the baseboards from the area. For those of you that have removed an existing floor above the particle board, it is likely that debris has been left behind as well as dust particles. For a smooth finish once your laminate floor has been laid, you need to ensure that the surface is as clean and as smooth as possible.
After the particle board has been cleaned, you will need to seal the surface of the particle board with a shellac sealer which will help to keep any moisture at bay. Beyond spills and leaks, particle board is even susceptible to humidity and even rain, making it essential that you seal it off in a way that will help to keep moisture out. Once this has dried you can move on to the next step of installing a subfloor.
For the subfloor, you can use a variety of different products, but one of the most common includes OSB. When installing the subfloor, just be sure that the seams of the subfloor and the particle board do not match up and that the extra height of the subfloor is accounted for. Once it has been laid, you can move forward with laying down underlayment.
There are a few different advantages to installing an underlayment, which include the muffling of sound when the floor is being walked on as well as helping to absorb the impact of your feet as you walk across the surface of the floor. Lay the underlayment down as flat as possible and ensure that there are no imperfections in its surface. If imperfections exist, they will transfer over to the surface of your vinyl floors.
Once the underlayment is down, you can then begin installing your laminate floors by trimming off the tongues of the board that will edge the first wall. You will then lay the first row while allowing an expansion gap between the wood and the wall. Then, finish the first row and start on the second row and proceed forward, cutting each piece as you need to fit at the end of the row.
Once you make it to your last row, you may find that you are in a position where there is very little room for the laminate floor to fit. Although it may seem like the area is too small, more often than not, the last and final pieces can be installed through the use of a mallet and a bit of strength. Once this is done, reinstall your baseboards and the installation is complete.
Tools
For any project, there are going to be tools that will either make or break the process. When it comes to installing laminate flooring over particle board, there are a few things you will need to ensure that the process is able to be completed in a way with as few bumps in the road as possible. For those of you looking to install a vinyl floor on your own, be sure that you have all these tools front and ready before beginning the installation process.
The tools you will need to install a vinyl floor over particle board first include those most common items like a utility knife and a hammer. You will also need a tapping block or pull bar, a rubber mallet, a tape measure, a speed square, and either a circular saw, a jigsaw, or a handsaw to give you the ability to cut pieces that need to be tailored to fit just right.
Many of these tools can be found in most individuals’ garages, toolboxes, or shops, however, it is also key that you have the right tools to keep you safe. Always be sure that you are wearing the proper safety gear during installation, as this can be the tool that saves you from flying wood, sharp nails, and unbelievably deep splinters. The safety gear for this type of project includes items like safety goggles, gloves, and even knee pads.
Prep
For any project, there is a certain amount of preparation that must take place to make sure that the end result is exactly as it should be. When it comes to installing laminate floors, this is no exception to that general rule. Although preparation may take a bit more time out of your installation process, it is something that will certainly help to aid in the longevity of your floors.
When it comes to preparation before installing vinyl floors over laminate flooring, the most important step you can take is cleaning the surface of the particle board. To do this, you will need to thoroughly vacuum the area to make sure that no dust or other debris remains once you have gone over the entire surface.
After this, you need to make sure that the surface of your particle board is level. To do this, use a leveler to determine which spaces are either too high or too low. If there is an area that is too low, it will need to be filled with a leveling compound, but if it is too high, it can simply be sanded down to reach a point that is level with the rest of the floor.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 3, 2021.