Can You Lay Linoleum Over Particle Board?
Manufacturers don't recommend laying linoleum over a particle-board subfloor. Particle-board is a blend of particles of wood that have been compressed and glued together with resin. Over time, this material will crumble under the weight of furniture and foot traffic. You should use an approved, construction-grade wood material for your subfloor. Making the right choice for your subfloor will ensure that your linoleum flooring lasts for many years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Particle-board Issues
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Particleboard can have weak, porous areas that will sag or feel spongy when you walk on it. This will cause a dip in your floor that you can only repair by taking out the subfloor. You would also have to rip up your linoleum. Particle-board has colorants or dyes that can bleed through your linoleum and cause staining. Particle-board is an inexpensive material, but in the long run it will end up costing you more.
Plywood Underlayment
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Underlayment-grade plywood is a construction-approved subfloor for linoleum. You can purchase this plywood in quarter-inch, three-eighth-inch and half-inch thicknesses, depending on your needs. Any new subfloor will raise the overall height of your floor. Underlayment-grade plywood has a smooth surface that is ideal for new linoleum flooring.
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Type 1 Luan
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Type 1 Luan is another approved underlayment for linoleum flooring. It is lightweight wood sheeting that is smooth on both sides. Luan is also used for sofits on the exterior of your home. If there is an existing subfloor, make sure the seams of your Luan match the seams of the subfloor. Otherwise, weak joints will sag.
Hardwoods
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You can use smooth, sanded hardwoods for your underlayment, but it will be more costly than the other alternatives. Construction-grade plywood and Lauan are inexpensive and will last just as long as hardwoods.
Tip
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When installing your underlayment, make sure you leave at least an eighth- to half-inch gap around the perimeter of the room between the underlayment and the wall. Leaving a gap will keep your floor from buckling when your house expands and contracts
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