Can you nail through the particle board to the plywood underneath (for a solid hardwood install)?

Question

One of the contractors wants to do it that way. Others want to float an engineered floor over it. It is particle board sub-flooring, not OSB.

Answer 1

Yes, you can install T&G hardwood flooring.  The downward penetration of 2" Powernails or flooring staples (installed at 45 degree angle) would be about 7/8"-1" beneath the bottom of the hardwood, so the amount, if any, that penetrates into the plywood subfloor depends on the thickness of the particle board underlayment.  But if the particle board underlayment is firmly attached to the plywood subfloor, it is not necessary for the flooring nails/staples to penetrate the plywood subfloor.

Before installing any new nail-down or floating floor, install decking screws to increase firmness and to eliminate any sqeaks between particle board underlayment and plywood subfloor, between plywood subfloor and floor joists.

Answer 2

having installed many hardwood floors, i would say particle board is the worst sub flooring to try and get hardwood flooring to stay nailed down too. i assume you're using 2" staples to put it down with.that leaves, at most,1/2" of staple in the plywood- not good at all! i'm assuming everything is 3/4".

the major problem with particle board is it's inherent ability too chip and have large "davits"come away from the particle board. also, if it got wet for any reason, it would bow in a major way. if there isn't a very good moister barrier, humidity will make it bow resulting in a major repair.

as far as the staples go you can guarantee that a large majority of them will not stay in place. expansion and cont action will cause constant movement and you creaking floor will drive you insane, the staples WILL come loose - MORE major repair work.

your contractor who wants to put down a floating floor is making a more prudent choice. in case of any repairs that may need to be made, as long as it isn't glue down,the floor can be dissembled if need be. snap lock is much better than gluing seams.

i always prefer the looks of hardwood and would much rather install it but in this situation a laminate floating floor is the way to go.make sure to use the right padding or it will all be for naught. i hope this helps- i've installed at least 200 hundred hardwood floors so i'm confident in my suggestions.good luck.