Tile guy's, advice needed

Ok, one of the wife's projects has now become mine.
In a nutshell- what do you like for adhering 1/4" cement board to particle board? This is for a new tile floor in an entry, approx. 110 sq./ft. Thinset or something like a PL-400? Thanks, JB

 

Liquid nails and screws. Simple. Used Liquid nails when I put 1/2" cement board down on top of 3/4 pine subfloors. Worked fine.

 

Looks like durock brand asks for thinset. File was to big to upload, but Google durock install and pdf from Hd comes up first with installation instructions.

Although, pl400 (liquid nails, subfloor adhesive, etc) is pretty tough chit and would probably work fine.

 

Particleboard is not recommended as a suitable subfloor for any tile installation even with Durock over it. It has insufficient holding strength for screws, construction adhesive or thinset. We have to rip it out in Ct. Sorry not what you wanted to hear I'm sure

 

Particle board


OSB


Advantech


Just so everybody is on the same page here.

 

Good job Pyro

 

Might as well add this since we are discussing subflooring.

CDX

 

Thanks all. So, here's my plan. Not ideal but this is what I'll shoot for unless there is a major public outcry.
I don't want to replace the particle board unless I absolutely have too, so...
One more light sanding of the particle board with an 80 grit belt. Then subfloor adhesive through a wide nozzle and screw it down. I'll let it sit a few days before starting the new tile. The particle board is in pretty good shape, no squeaks . It was put down in '76 and they seem to have done a decent job here.
So, what do you think? Am I gonna get away with it?

 

If it's really particle board and not OSB? Did the even have OSB in '76? Of course if, whatever it is, has been there for 30 years and isn't rotted, then you'll most likely be fine. On the other hand, seems like anytime I 'shortcutted' a project, when it was done, I wished I hadn't.

Guess that didn't help much.

edit: Screws & glue for fastening.

 

It's particle board. I've set enough OSB over the years to know the difference.
We took out the old tile and it's underlayment was 1/4" wonderboard- no thinset or adhesive. Just nailed down over old linoleum.

 

I'd be concerned that the particle board will puff up with moisture from the thinset.
Its usually not a good idea on a floor for that reason too.

Good luck with the tiling. I did my stove pad some years back and it was a headache trying to get the tiles lined up, level and not make a big mess. Grouting was no fun either. The DIY videos of course made it look easy!

Oh, just an FYI, Advantech is a type of OSB. It's a product from JM Huber, where my Dad has been working since the early 80s.
Used to be called waferboard too.

 

Really good point on the particle board absorbing moisture then expanding. Glue and screw. Would only sand if there were real bad ridges or lumps. The glue likes porous surfaces.

 

I can't imagine finding particle board as sub flooring

But would treat it like any other subfloor and hope for the best

 

I have run into this before, thinset then hardibacker, I prefer hardibacker over duroc. I have also had this fail when applied over particle board, pb absorbed moisture and popped the tile up.
Good Luck.

 

My first house had 3/4" solid wood T&G with particle board on top of that. I screwed down 1/4 concrete board and then tiled on top of that. It was all kinds of solid. Subfloor adhesive would be fine too, but not completely necessary.

 

I would recommend using the concrete board screws like others have said and use a lot of them. I used them to reface my brick fireplace put the hardibacker right to the brick it worked out good.

 

Thanks all. It's glued and screwed, plenty solid now. Finishing the drywall and trim, and the phone works again. Small steps.
My laptop is sooooo jacked -up, I'll be surprised if this actually post's.
Thanks again. JB

 

A little late but mastic is an excellent adhesive.