Best way to seal cut edge of chipboard?

Question

Hello....

I am about to lay an 18mm chipboard floor over joists in a new build house. The floor will remain fully exposed to the elements (specifically rain) for upto 4 weeks.

I am most concerned about the cut edges of the chipboard and was thinking that a brush of the cut edge with a cheap varnish would reseal it and reduce the likelihood of any 'exploding' of the board.

I seem to remember diluting down some wood glue as another method of sealing the cut edges, but diluting with what?

Is sealing the edges worthwhile and if so does anyone have any thoughts on the best way to do this?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If it is going to be exposed to elements for up to four weeks with no cover, I would agree you need to get some kind of seal on the edges.  

I would opt for spar varnish or a polyurethane product and a two inch roller.  Fast, dries pretty quickly.

In a lot of cases, contractors use large tarps to cover those edges and protect their exposed portions.  If you opt for stapling 6 mil plastic sheeting, you run some wind risks, although you could use a lot of long 2X4's to hold it down.  The larger tarps are pretty expensive.

I too  have heard of using a watered down wood glue as a sealant, but it was just plain water and elmers wood glue, and it doesn;'t go very far since it is difficult to buy in the quantities you need and I would be concerned about penetration.  Glue will penetrate, but spar varnish will actually provice a seal of sorts better than glue.

Answer 2

Sorry but if you put the floor down before you have the roof on be prepared to rip it up and start again. Even if you use moisture resistant chipboard if it stays wet long enough it will swell. If you need to work in that room before the roof goes on use planks or walking boards. Beats throwing your money away.

Answer 3

Chipboard or particle board would be a disaster!!  I hope you mean osb or commonly called waferboard.  On projects that will take a while, I usually apply a liberal coat of latex paint  to seal the subfloor.  That will be your only hope and is an industry standard for subfloors.

Good luck

Answer 4

This can't be a serious question. What the h**l would you want to   lay a chipboard floor before you have at least felt & baton the roof. If you have to lay the floor ( although I can't think of any reason why ) then I would suggest that you cover it very very well with polythene. Cheaper then trying to seal it!!

You wont be trying to paint the walls before you plaster will you ??!!

Answer 5

Seal it with a light coat of wood glue diluted with water would work perfectly. It can always be removed with 120 grit in case you want to take it back off. You could ever use makng tape, being as masking tape doesnt peel up the wood beasuse it doesnt have the same adhesive power as lets say duct tape.

Answer 6

Really bad idea to expose chipboard to the elements for even a day. You will have to protect ALL exposed surfaces or it will swell. Use PVA glue diluted slightly with water and paint on with a brush. Cover with polythene sheets if at all possible when dry. You can get massive sheets of bubble wrap for free if you visit a furniture store cos that's what their deliveries of furniture are wrapped in. Good luck with your build.