Chipboard P5 flooring is available in 18mm and 22mm thicknesses, and these tongue & groove (T&G)sheets are 2400m x 600mm (approx. 8′ x 2′) in size. The sheets use high-density particleboard and are suitable for both domestic and commercial flooring. Our two main brands are Norbord Caberfloor and Kronospan
What is P5 Chipboard and what spaces should be used?
The maximum spans for flooring joist centres are 450mm for 18mm and 610mm for 22mm thick flooring. It is more usual to use 400 or 600mm joist spacing as they “fit” the most commonly used board lengths of 2400mm.
At Southern Timber all our chipboard flooring stock is P5 grade, it utilises a melamine fortified resin to make the boards moisture resistant. When exposed to intermittent rain and dampness the product retains a high percentage of its original strength. However installation is preferable in dry conditions because the boards are moisture resistant, not waterproof.
The Caberfloor brand has a green identification dye added to the surface to make it recognisable as P5; the Kronospan P5 particleboard uses no green dye because the manufacturers no longer make the lower specification flooring.
Spacing Chipboard Flooring Panels
The T&G panels should be laid in a staggered pattern with long edges across the joists and short edges falling on the centre of joists. Should the short edges overhang then the overhang must be supported by a noggin.
Gluing P5 Chipboard
Gluing the T&G edges is recommended, it improves joint strength and also accommodates a degree of joist variation. All joints must be glued with an adhesive such as moisture resistant PVA type to Classification D3 of BS EN 204. Gluing will also help reduce the effects of joist movement or variation which often lead to movement and ‘creaks’ in the panels
Screwing and Nailing P5 Chipboard
Boards can be fixed by nailing or screwing. If nailing, then annular ring shank nails should be used for fastening all edges to the joists. If screw fixing, use a suitable pilot hole followed by posidrive No. 8 screws, or equivalent. Fix the boards with four fixings to each short edge joint, two about 25mm from each end and two equidistant in between. All joints must be tightly butted. Length of fixings used should be 2.5 times the thickness of the board. Four equi-distant fixings should be used on panel ends and three at intermediate joists.
Wherever possible full fixing details should be sought from the manufacturer’s website.
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