How to lay chipboard flooring

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Chipboard is popular throughout the construction industry, due to its wide range of potential applications.

And chipboard flooring in particular is one of the most popular uses of chipboard.

The thing is:

It provides a cost-effective yet functional alternative to more expensive wooden flooring, giving you the best of both worlds.

And the best part?

Here at Roofing Superstore, we have everything you need to get the job done.

Read on to find out all about laying chipboard flooring like a pro!

What is chipboard?

Chipboard is a wooden board product that is manufactured from wood chips and particles that are glued together using adhesive at high pressure. Chipboard is used in a wide range of applications including flooring, doors, work surfaces, low-cost furniture and more. It is available in normal density, medium density and high density.

The benefits of using chipboard flooring

Many of our customers ask us:

Why is chipboard used for flooring?

The short answer is – it comes with plenty of benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at the main ones.

Cost-effective

Chipboard is a low-cost material. Using it is a great way to stay within budget whilst not compromising on other features. Chipboard is strong and durable because the wood fibres do not run uniformly down the wood, making warping, splintering and splitting less likely.

Developed for flooring use

Chipboard flooring has been designed specifically to be used as flooring, meaning that it is easy to lay, and has specific features that make laying a chipboard floor quick and easy. These features include tongue and groove connections, a finished face that makes laying flooring on top easy, and panel sizes that are easy to transport and handle.

Moisture resistant

Moisture-resistant chipboard flooring products are available from Caberfloor. They have been designed to avoid one of the main disadvantages of chipboard. Regular chipboard often absorbs water, which causes swelling and damage.

Now:

When P5 moisture-resistant chipboard is exposed to intermittent rain or water, the chipboard will retain the majority of its original strength and structure. Moisture-resistant chipboards are typically green to indicate their moisture-resistant characteristics. It is important to note that moisture-resistant chipboard is not waterproof, but it is possible to take extra steps to waterproof your chipboard if required.

Different grades available

There are different grade chipboard products available, depending on the project they are being used for. For most projects, the recommended grade of chipboard would be P5, which is suitable for a wide range of applications. Alternatively, if working on a project with heavy loads where non-domestic floors are being created, the P7 heavy-duty grade moisture-resistant chipboard would be most suitable.

Depending on the chipboard flooring product you use, the method of how to lay a chipboard floor can vary between manufacturers and product ranges. However, we’ve outlined a brief guide to fitting chipboard flooring to demonstrate the potential steps involved in laying a chipboard floor.

Pre-installation guide

Before installation, it is important to store the boards in the room they will be fitted for a minimum of 48 hours. This will allow them to become conditioned to the environment, with shrinkage or swelling occurring and settling before installation. This means that warping and shrinkage are less likely to occur when the floor has been laid which can cause structural issues and an uneven floor. Additionally, it is important to ensure that all joists are dry, and no chipboard should be left in wet conditions.

Connecting chipboard flooring

If working with tongue and groove chipboard flooring panels, it is recommended to use adhesive to secure the chipboards. Firstly, apply a continuous bead of adhesive to the joists and noggins on which the chipboard panels will be laid. Then lay a chipboard flooring panel down, adding a screw to the tongue at each tongue and groove joint, to secure it to the joist below.

Please Note: The screw(s) should be at 150mm centres along the joists and no closer than 10mm towards the board’s edge. You can find out why it’s important to leave a 10mm gap here.

Once this is finished, add a bead of adhesive to the tongue and groove joint on top of the screw. Push the adjacent panels together using the tongue and groove connection.

Leaving a gap

When laying the chipboards, ensure there is at least a 10mm gap around the perimeter of the flooring. This gap will allow for expansion, preventing buckling from occurring, which can result in an uneven floor surface. Additionally, tongue and groove chipboard flooring should be laid in a staggered formation, to spread the weight distribution across the joists below. The long edges should run across the joists, whilst the shorter edges should finish at the centre of the joists.

Final thoughts

Chipboard flooring is often used in construction and DIY projects because it offers several benefits.

The thing is:

Its affordability makes it a cost-effective option for subfloors and underlayment, providing a stable and even surface for the final flooring material. Chipboard is also known for its versatility, as it can be easily cut to fit various spaces.

What’s more:

It has good dimensional stability and strength, making it suitable for supporting heavy loads.

As a DIY project, laying chipboard flooring can be pretty challenging depending on your skill levels.

While the process involves measuring, cutting and securing the boards, it’s certainly within the reach of many DIY enthusiasts, especially with the availability of instructional resources.

And now that you know how to lay chipboard flooring, this includes you!