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    • #36318
      Don Barnard
      Guest

      I am going to install a hardwood floor. My existing floor consists of 3/4 particle board nailed to the joists. The new flooring is 5/8″ x 4″ bamboo planks that can be either nailed or glued. I know that neither glue nor nails are acceptable on particle board, so these are my questions: Can I nail a 1/4 plywood underlayment over the particleboard? If so am I limited to glueing or can I then nail the hardwood floors down. Also, if I can use 1/4″ plywood, should I screw it to the particle board, use ring nails that to all the way to the joists, or use any other fastening technique to ensure the plywood is firmly secures. Thanks for all replies!!!!

    • #180194
      tomh
      Guest

      Most wood floor manufacturers specify plywood or OSB subfloors not less than 3/4″ thick on 16″ OC joists. This avoids excessive deflection and provides a good attachment surface. When I moved into my current house there was an engineered wood floor glued on a 5/8 particleboard underlayment on 1″ T&G plywood subfloors. Those floors did not seem to have much problem other than finish. I removed the underlayment and finish floor and put a new 3/4″ wood floor on a 1/2 inch plywood underlayment on the 1: subfloor.

      I would go with a minimum 1/2″ plywood underlayment on your 5/8 particle board subfloor attached with 1-1/2″ ring shank nails and underlayment glue to the subfloor. The additional thickness will allow a nailed floor and will compensate for deflection problems in the particleboard. 1/4″ plywood will give a smooth underlayment surface, but will not add the structural rigidity that would avoid floor creaking. If you can manage the extra thickness, it would probably be a better installation.

    • #180223
      Dodgeman
      Guest

      You have particle board directly on the joists and not OSB?

      If it is OSB, you could place the wood floor directly over it.

      At any rate, DO NOT GLUE the hardwood floor to the plywood. With temperature and humidity changes with the seasons, the expansion rates will be different, and you will have gaps and/or cracks develop in the wood floor.

      Good Luck!

      Dodgeman

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