How to Cover Particle Board With Wood Grain Vinyl

Particle board is not the ideal surface for attaching vinyl. Using an underlayment material, however, will help you attach a wood grain vinyl to any particle board surface. Do not use vinyl that already has adhesive on the back. Applying your own vinyl adhesive will allow you to control the amount you use.

Things You'll Need

• One-fourth-inch underlayment
• Table saw
• Construction adhesive
• Staples
• Staple gun
• Hammer
• Vinyl cutter
• Vinyl glue
• Roller

Instructions

1. Wipe the particle board with a rag to remove dirt or dust. If the particle board is a sub-floor, sweep it with a vacuum cleaner.

2. Cut the quarter-inch underlayment to fit the size of the particle board. A table saw is ideal for this task.

3. Apply evenly spaced strips of construction adhesive to the particle board surface, and then position the underlayment in place. Staple the underlayment to the particle board with underlayment staples. Lightly hammer down staples down that rest above the surface of the underlayment.

4. Cut the vinyl to shape with a pair of vinyl cutters, and then place the vinyl on the particle board. Roll up half of the vinyl. Make sure you position the wood grain pattern on the vinyl in the direction you want it to go when installed.

5. Apply vinyl adhesive to the exposed half of the surface of the underlayment with a roller. Read the directions on the bottle of adhesive. Most adhesives require time between spreading and applying the vinyl. Wait the necessary time for the adhesive to set up.

6. Roll the vinyl onto the adhesive, and press it down with a clean roller. Roll up the unglued half of the vinyl, and repeat the gluing process.

References

• This Old House: How to Lay a Vinyl Tile Floor; Joseph Truini ; 2008