How to Install 3/8 Particle Board Underlayment

Every type of flooring, from carpet to hardwood, requires a flat, clean subfloor surface as a base, referred to as "underlayment." There are many available underlayment products, both wood and wood-composites, but traditional 3/8-inch particle board is a standard for applications where smooth surface is required and moisture is not a threat to the subfloor layer. The installation of 3/8-inch particle board underlayment is a simple procedure, leaving your floor prepared for the flooring material.

• 1

  Clean the subfloor surface using a broom to clear all dirt or debris from the floor area. Scrape away any surface imperfection that might prevent the particle board sheets from lying flat.

• 2

  Place a mark at 48 inches from both ends of the starting row of particle board underlayment, then use a chalkline to define a connecting line between the marks. This line will be used as a guideline for the first row of underlayment sheets.

• 3

  Place a full sheet of 3/8-inch particle board underlayment aligned with the chalkline marked in Step 1 at the starting point at either end of the floor area. Secure the sheet to the subfloor using an electric screwdriver and 1-inch stitcher screws spaced approximately 12 inches apart.

• 4

  Repeat Step 3 for each sheet of underlayment to complete the first full row of particle board underlayment sheets. Be sure to keep the end joints between the sheets flush and the edges aligned with the guideline.

• 5

  Cut a full sheet of the particle board underlayment in half to create two 4 by 4 foot panels.

• 6

  Position one of the half sheet panels cut in Step 5 as the starting sheet of the next row of underlayment, then secure the panel to the subfloor using an electric screwdriver and 1-inch stitcher screws spaced approximately 12 inches apart. This first panel of the second row of underlayment ensures that the end joints of the second row are offset from the first. This end joint offset method is used for all alternating rows of underlayment.

• 7

  Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for all remaining rows of particle board underlayment, making certain to stagger the end joints and keep all joints between adjacent pieces tight together.