Is it okay to install hardwood floors over particle board?

Question

I have a hickory tongue and groove 3/4" solid hardwood floor, and I have a particle board subfloor. The manufacturers directions say not to install over particle board. Has anybody ever installed over particle board and had problems? What problems could occur?

Ok, so the answer is no. But the particle board runs underneath the walls, and cannot be completely removed. If I cut it out at the wall, the new plywood floor wouldn't overlap the joist on the sides of the room. Is there any recommendations on an overlayment of plywood, or a procedure to replace the subfloor?

Answer 1

With all due respect to any answers so far, they offer a valid suggestion, but I gotta tell ya, MDF and "Particle" board are becoming the material of choice in a major contracting sense.

Take a look at new FRAME construction sometime. IF water will be an issue, then we are in deep "doo".

With enough moisture, even Marine Ply will warp/separate/ degrade.

As one asnwer states, an "underlayment" should be part of the procedure anyway, and certainly some form of SEALING the Hickory, would be adviseable.

On a personal note, I wouldn't use any type of hardwood, laminate, Mfg. wood flooring in any location subject to a lot of water spillage or moisture intrusion.

Obviously you can either rip out the "P" board and start over, or reduce the height to the ceiling by a fraction, and install a sub floor over the current one.

Steven Wolf
Just My Two Cents

Answer 2

Particle Board Underlayment

Answer 3

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 4

it is possible but not reccomended. everyone who is saying particle board is bad because it swells when wet is a fool. of course it swells but if theres enough water to swell it then the water will destroy the hardwood anyways. i have done it a few times and i just put down a bead of pl premium glue every 1.5 feet so that every board gets a couple of points of adhesion. this seemed to do the trick without voiding any warranties. it made the job take a little longer. the only real concern with particle board (a.k.a. k3) is that it wont hold the staples as well, but the glue solves this. if thats all you have to work with its not a huge problem but obviously plywood or osb subfloor is still best.

Answer 5

NO because particle board is soft and manufactured with saw dust and also have the moisture.If u stall the hardwood floor over it it will develop cramp and due to moisture content hardwood floor also will became wet.This is my practical experience.Since manufacture also recommended ,u should abide with the direction.

Answer 6

NO, NO, and NO.

The adhesive alone will cause particle board to swell. The installation will fail.
You should cap the floor with plywood or a suitable underlayment, available at Lowes or HomeDepot, or flooring shops. 4'X4' sheets.

Answer 7

after 40 years of floor instaalation i can tell you that we have laid all types of real hardwood floors over exterior grade particle board. screw and glue the board to the joists and cover with waterproof membrane. the biggest cause of problems is a lousy installer that does not attach the flooring properly. the hurryup guys with the fast gun are floor killers. they work cheap and do cheap work.

Answer 8

Particle board will not hold the nails as well as plywood. Besides, particle board swells when wet, even once. Bettter to use plywood. Do the job right.

Answer 9

We put laminate over particle board, but we used that plastic/foam sheeting between the two. i think you always have to use the sheeting because of moisture.

Answer 10

NO NO NO...

Put down a sub-floor like luan (sp) board first....

If not you'll get warping problems....