How to fix floors in a trailer house? What type of flooring should we use plywood or particle board?

Question

We have soft spots in our floors one has gone all the way through. We don't know if it would be best to take floors out and put new ones in or just cover existing floor.

Answer 1

My advice, and Ive done this to several homes, is to replace the rotted components. If the home has particle board, remove it and replace it with exterior grade plywood. The only thing you need to concern yourself about, is actual floor thickness. You want to be consistent. For example, if the particle board is only 5/8" thick, that is the thickness you should use for plywood to replace it. If you are going to replace ALL of the flooring, then I would suggest that you go with 3/4" plywood.

While you are replacing the decking, inspect those floor joists for damage too. It wouldnt surprise me to learn that some of those needed to be replaced as well.

I will add -- Ive seen a lot of "quick fixes" where someone simply laid new plywood over the old flooring without removing the old first. If there is any mold in that old flooring (and there probably is, since water damage is the usual culprit in warped decking), simply laying new ply over the old particle board doesnt remove that hazard. I strongly recommend ripping up the old decking and replacing it. I know its more work, but in the long run, you'll have better results.

Lots of elbow grease! Hehehe... replacing a floor is a lot of work, but you can do it.

Have Fun

Answer 2

I had to redo all of the floors in my trailer. It's really pretty simple once you get one floor piece up. I used particle board and it's just fine. But I think if you get any kind of leaks then plywood would be better because particle board will expand if you get it soaked.

Answer 3

I've had the experience with this before and they wanted me to do a cheap job. After talking with them, they interned to live there for years to come, they decided to do it my way. I had to take up the entire floor in one bath, one bedroom and the storage area. I put in 3/4 inch plywood and then replaced the floor. It's stronger today then the day they bought the place.

Answer 4

Remove the carpet or vinyl (whatever is there) and install new plywood over the old floor and then recover with carpet or new vinyl. Do not use particle board. That is made of sawdust and will deteriorate over time. Do not remove the old floor unless it is really terrible. Nail new plywood over it and you will have more support.

Answer 5

You really need to remove the old floor to do it right, either way I would use plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) at the least. Particle board is the worst as it get damaged very easily by water.

Answer 6

The worst thing about Particle board is. It will hold moisture, In turn, Your hardwood floor will start to show waves In it. This Is caused by the amount of moisture your particle board picks up. So to be on the safe side, I'd say. (Don't lay hardwood over particle board.)

Answer 7

Easiest solution would be to cover it, but if you want to get to the root of the problem and do it right you need to remove the old and replace it with new.

Answer 8

best thing is to replace the sub floor. It probably is really cheap stuff so replacing it will beef it up