how to seal particle boards – Home Efficiency Guide

Particleboard is a modified wood product and is a good choice for some projects. However, you have to take care to make sure that moisture doesn't destroy it. The best way to seal particleboard is to apply a waterproof sealant before installing the particleboard, this process can take up some time in the construction project, but it gives you lasting results. Having proper storage for your particle board is very important, so is the sealing process. The sealing process keeps moisture from condensation and rain from the particle board to keep it intact and strong. Here are the steps you want to take for sealing particle board. How to Seal Particle Board Step 1 Before you begin the process of sealing particle board, you should take safety precautions by wearing goggles, gloves, and a mask. Particle board is made up of sawdust, glues, and wood chips, so when you start cutting the particle board, it can send splinters into the air. Plus, you don’t want your eyes being damaged by sawdust. Step 2 Measure out all the pieces of particle board that you need for your project. Mark the dimensions on the board and then use a circular saw to cut the board. Ensure that you wear safety glasses when you cut particle board because it can create flying splinters that can go into your eyes. Step 3 Apply a layer of clear acrylic sealant on all the edges of the particle board pieces. You should also apply a layer to any areas that may be exposed to moisture. To do this, you need to shake the clear acrylic sealant can, open the lid, and then paint the sealant onto the particle board using a paintbrush. You can also use paint rollers, but they don’t do as great a job penetrating the wood. Step 4 Let the particle board completely dry for a couple of hours. Once the board is dry, you can install the particle board. When Should You Seal Particle Board? There are several different reasons why you should seal particle board, including: When you want to reuse particle boardWhen the particle board gets damagedTo enhance interior decoration in your roomIf you’re placing a new particle board in an area that has a lot of moisture (not a good use case).If the board has to be able to carry weightIf there’s a chance that it will get overheatedWhen you think the particle board is going in an area that is prone to rain and particle board water damage What Does Particle Board Sealer Do to Help? There are a few things that particle board sealer can do to help your particle board be better for your DIY projects. Some of these things include: Making the Particle Board Durable Sealing your particle board can make the board more durable. The sealant will cover the board in a hard substance that can withstand extreme heat, little weight, snow, and rain. You can’t use particle board by itself in your window, kitchen, or on the roof without sealant. To create a permanent solution, you must use sealant on the board. Saving the Particle Board from Sun and Water The particle board sealer, when it turns hard, can withstand heat, rain, and snow. This is because the sealant penetrates the particle board to make it durable and harder to penetrate. Strengthen the Particle Board No one uses particle board in a place where it will be ruined, especially if it hasn’t been sealed. By applying a layer of sealant to the board, it can help to strengthen it (to a degree). Enhances Usability After applying a layer of sealant, particle board becomes harder. You can now use the particle board wherever and not have to worry about if it’ll be ruined. Can You Repair Wet Particle Board? The short answer is yes; you can repair damaged or wet particle boards if you know the correct way to do so. It’s easy to repair the particle board by applying a sealant to the whole board using the steps below. How to Fix Damaged Particle Board The first thing you need to do to repair the damaged particle board is to let the board's damaged or wet area dry. You can do this with a hairdryer if you’re in a time crunch, but make sure the hairdryer isn’t too hot.Put some sandpaper or sand in the wet or damaged area. You do this using your naked hand.Clean the area up with a hairdryer. Make sure that you’re wearing safety glasses in this step because the hairdryer will blow sawdust into the air.Apply a layer of sealant to the damaged area following the steps listed above. The most important thing to remember when repairing damaged particle board is to take your time. If you don’t let the board dry all the way through, the repairs you do aren’t going to last. Conclusion Using a sealant on your particleboard makes the board more durable, harder, and able to withstand the weather to a degree. Of all of the wood products on the market, however, particleboard is probably one of the least moisture-resistant. It’s easy to seal particle board. You just need to measure out the board for your project, cut it out, apply a sealant to the edges, and then let it dry before installing it. While it might take some time to do this process, you’ll find that the particle board is easier to use and that you won’t have to worry about it becoming ruined quickly. If you do happen to have particle board become damaged, you can easily repair it using the steps listed above. At the end of the process, you should have a more durable board that can be reused in your DIY projects. Particleboard is good for some projects but you should consider the pros and cons compared to other options. This YouTube video is very informative and goes over the advantages and cautions of particleboard, plywood, and MDF along with specific use cases: https://youtu.be/47vADGj8btk Related Reading: Particle Board Underlayment: Pros, Cons, and Cautions