DIY Related: Chipboard Floor

[Mick_c]

I have just joined the forum as, an amateur in need of advice. Could someone tell me why you shouldn't tile over chipboard. Is it just the movement of the floor that cause grout or tiles to crack or is there someother reason? I did tile on top of my chipboard floor about 8 years ago and have had no problems, was I just lucky? I am planning to tile my Daughters bathroom and son in law has replaced the old floorboards with 18 mm green chipboard floor, as money is tight don't have the heart to tell him to rip it up again.

[Dave]

Hi and welcome..

Chipboard is just a particle board and IMO is not structurally stable enough to tile directly too..

[kilty55]

hi mick,you may have been lucky and nothign has failed
but in doing a pro job i would never advise tiling onto chipboard

you could over board the chipboard with 6mm cement boards that way it wont have to be ripped up

[Mick_c]

Thanks for advice. It is a structure thing then nothing to do with the adhesive not adhering properly to the chipboard. So even if I screw every 200mm it still wont be structurally sound?

[timeless john]

Like all wood - it moves (with heat and moisture), and you'll find it cracks along every joint.
If there is NO deflection in the surface, do as suggested and overlay with cement boards.



and.....

[jay]

As above chipboard is a second grade of flooring has very little strength and susceptible to moisture not a good choice for a permanent floor

[Mick_c]

Thanks for replies, Cement boards it is then. Should they be screwed every 300mm and what would be best adhesive?