How to Lay Chipboard Flooring
When coarse sawdust is mixed with resin, it produces chipboard flooring, also known as oriented strand board. Chipboard is less expensive than other materials. It also makes a good subfloor for all types of flooring such as tile, slate, carpet and vinyl. Whether you're laying chipboard as a subfloor or a primary floor, the procedure is the same and relatively simple. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Measure the area of the room, using a tape measure. Divide the area by the size of the chipboard plank to calculate how many sheets you'll need.
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2
Make a mark on the wall above every joist with a marker. This will help you know where the joists are when you're nailing down the board.
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3
Lay out the chipboard over the floor. Use the color-coded PVC tongues on the edges of the boards to fit the boards together.
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4
Nail down the chipboard with a hammer and 2-inch ribbed nails.
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5
Fill in corners and edges with the remaining sheets of chipboard. Measure the size of the corner or edge you need to fill, cut a piece of the sheet to the same dimensions with an electric saw, and nail the piece down.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose the type of chipboard you want. Chipboard comes in three densities: high, medium and low. High-density chipboard is best for subflooring.
If you live in a damp climate or area, buy chipboard pretreated for termites and fungus.
Chipboard floors are very squeaky.
Low-density chipboard can damage easily when waterlogged.
If you are laying chipboard as a subfloor, check the building codes to find out the required thickness.
Wear safety glasses when operating a saw.
References
- Photo Credit chipboard texture image by pncphotos from Fotolia.com
