I am buying a mobile home that has a three-quarter inch particle board subfloor. I plan to patch any holes and then overlay the particle board throughout the entire trailer with either plywood or OSB. Given that the new floor will be resting on the existing particle board, what thickness do I need and should I go with plywood or OSB? Don't want to be too cheap but I don't want to overspend either.
Wood – How to use to overlay a particle board subfloor in the mobile home
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If possible, try framing out the edges. I would remove all of the existing sub floor (since it is particle board) and then add addition framing along the edges as needed for the new plywood. In cases where you can't meet a joist, go perpindicular and create a nice foundation for the floor to attach too.
I would make sure the floor has a firm foundation. It might be extra work to do it, but I would take those extra steps if possible.
Basically any plywood will do. If I were doing it I would go with 3/4 inch. The key to a vinyl install install isn't the quality or depth of the subfloor but how flat it is. Any divots or seams bigger than 1/8" could have issues in the future and need to be filled.
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Best Answer
If you do in fact have only the 3/4" particle board now, you should not consider it structural. Therefore, I'd use 3/4" (23/32) tongue-and-groove OSB, which is standard as a basic single-layer subfloor in new homes. In areas where you want to install vinyl or other flooring requiring a prepared surface, use 3/4" t&g BC plywood to avoid the need for additional underlayment.
If you actually have MDF (or some other high-performance pressed-particle product), which has more structural integrity, I'd consider a 1/2" or 5/8" BC, with the joints staggered from those of the MDF. You won't save a ton over the OSB (it may actually cost more), but it'll result in less of a height difference and has a nicer finished surface.