Learn How to Easily Install Particleboard Flooring in Your Home

Installing particleboard flooring is an affordable and sturdy way to make sure that your new tile, carpet, or vinyl floor covering is properly and securely supported. Although it does require a lot of time, effort, and patience and can be quite difficult, the savings reaped will outweigh the effort. With the right tools and instructions, anyone should be able to install particleboard flooring.

Before beginning, it is important to properly select and measure the particleboard that you need. When choosing the particleboard, be sure to consult with your supplier in order to select the one that is right for your floor. Particleboard comes in several weight-bearing thicknesses and is graded using the letters H (high), M (medium), or L (low) that are indicated on the edge of the board. To determine the amount of particleboard needed, accurately measure the square footage of the room that you are flooring by taking the length times the width. Knowing the square footage of the room, divide that by the size of the sheets (4 feet by 8 feet, unless you are using specialty sizes) to get the total number of sheets required for the job. It is recommended to purchase an additional board to allow for any cutting errors.

With all the materials in hand, it is time to begin the installation. Be sure to put on protective glasses, gloves, and if necessary, a face mask. It is preferable to have two people when installing particleboard because the sheets are very heavy and awkward to handle. Begin with a full sheet and start at one corner of the room. Make sure to match the tongue edge of the particleboard to the groove of the previous sheet in order to create a tight seal. To increase the stability and strength of the floor, offset the end joints of subsequent rows so that one row starts with a full sheet and the next starts with a half sheet.

A portable circular saw is generally used to cut the particleboard to size, but be careful not to make any cuts that create gaps between the sheets. To make sure the particleboard is perfectly aligned at the joints, check the squareness of the floor that you are covering and adjust the cut against the end wall by the same amount that the square was off. It is not necessary, yet it can be beneficial, to use silicone caulk to create an even tighter seal.

When it is time to secure the particleboard, you can use a hammer or nail gun, but make sure to have someone stand on the section being nailed to ensure a tighter fitting. If you choose to use a nail gun, make sure to wear safety glasses and adjust the pressure in order to get the feel of the nailing pressure. After the particleboard is properly secured, you have completed the installation.

Once installed, the particleboard will provide a sturdy and solid foundation for your new tile, carpet, or vinyl floor covering. Not only will you save money, but the effort put in will prove to be well worth it.