Wood – Is it OK to put hardwood flooring over 3/4“ particle board that’s over 1/2” wood subfloor

hardwood-floor

We want to install either laminate or hardwood flooring throughout most of our home. The home is about 35 years old. I pulled up all the carpet and found 3/4" particle board over 1/2" plywood board subfloor underneath the carpet. It is particle board and not OSB. The particle board does not run under the walls. The walls rest on the 1/2" wood board and the joists. Since carpet was laid over the particle board they were not so concerned about one board being level with the next so they are uneven. We've been told it was OK to put flooring over the particle board if we level it up and by another to remove the particle board and replace with 3/4" plywood. So I'm seeking a confirmation of one or the other or another suggestion.

Best Answer

1/2" subfloor is definitely insufficient, so I get why it was reinforced.

3/4" particle board... that is not structural. It's paper dust and glue. A little water and it loses all cohesion.

Simply for peace of mind, if it were me, I'd remove the particle board and put down either OSB or plywood. Probably OSB, only because it's a little stronger (not much) but it's also more expensive so if budget were a concern, I'd go with equal thickness plywood. Either will do you.

But the particle board? Get rid! Its probably not gonna fall apart on you, unless you have a spill... but why even keep that worry?

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