How To Install Engineered Hardwood Floors

Engineered hardwood is one of the best wood flooring that you can install on your floor. Unlike wood planks, engineered hardwood is a product of many thin layers of plywood with a thicker cover hardwood glued on top. The sheets are superimposed to each other to keep the floor stable and shrink-resistant. The wood is relatively cheap as compared to the real hardwood flooring but with a similar outlook. The flooring is warm to walk on and can also be refinished to give a fresher look. There are 4 different ways of engineered hardwood floor installation; floating floor, glue down, staple down, and pin down.

Methods of hardwood floor installation

1. Glue down– In this method, wood is fastened to the floor surface with a strong adhesive.
2. Floating floor– In this method, there is no glue applied to the floor surface. Instead, the adhesive can be used on the boards to hold them together or structured to fit into each piece. The method is the easiest and DIY-friendly.
3. Nail down– Fastening of the hardwood floor to the floor underneath is achieved by the use of nails. However, this method is suitable for thin wood flooring.
4. Staple down– unlike the nail down method, staples are used instead of nails to attach the flooring to the sub floor.

You can use the above methods interchangeably, but the floating method is the best for installing engineered hardwood flooring. The process is cheap and easy to work with, even on your own. The practice also makes it easy to replace engineered hardwood floors when old.

The types of engineering wood such as oak wood flooring, Owen plank flooring, vintage solid sawn, vintage Northern solid sawn, carbonized bamboo flooring, Eased-edge maple and Somerset are commonly used in flooring.

Engineered hardwood floor Installation: floating floor technique

Through this method, you can install engineered hardwood in almost every floor for there is no glueing or nailing down required. To enjoy an executive appearance of the flooring, you need to go for the best quality engineered hardwood flooring. Having chosen engineered hardwood as your flooring material, I will take you through the essential steps in the installation of engineered hardwood flooring.

Step 1. Taking Measurements

The first process involves taking estimates by establishing the square area of your floor using a tape measure. This helps you to know the size of material that you need to cover the desired floor space. In your measured area, add about 5 square feet to cater for wastage during the installation of the engineered hardwood floating floor.

step 2. Identify a manufacturer

After that, you need to identify the retailer who offers high quality cheap engineered hardwood floor material or any other who is renowned for discounted engineered hardwood flooring. On the day of materials arrival, leave it in the store for 48 hours in the box to acclimate.

step 3. Removal of baseboards and clearing the space

It is important to note that you need simple tools such as a hammer, glue, pool tool, tapping block, chat line, a ruler, 5m-tape measure, straps, spacers, razor knife and a saw for the processes to be successful. Also, you should carefully read the manufacturer’s instruction to avoid a mess. When you are ready to start the installation process, remove any pre-existing baseboard and clear the working space off any obstruction, ensure the sub floor is firm. Furthermore, clear any bumps, top-fill the patched depressions by use of patching compound and clean the sub floor ready for installation.

step 4. Underlay application and Fitting spacers

Before you begin the installation process, you need to apply an underlay if none existed to prevent the floor from moving and producing a crunching sound when walking on it. The next step is to fit spacers along the walls to create a space of about 1.3cm. Smear an adhesive on the groove of the plank to permit snapping together with no space left between the planks. Fix the tongue of the other board into the slot. After that, use a hammer to on the tapper block to enhance a snug fit of the boards. Go round once more when tapping the flooring to fit completely and wipe the fresh glue with a damp rag.

step 5. Engineered hardwood floor Installation

The next step involves securing each row by use of a tape measure. Measure every 2 to 3 inches on individual row and connect each row to the next to prevent the flooring from moving. Moreover, you can use a bar that is flat to pull the last flooring row against the preceding one. Lastly, install the trim on the sub floor and let the flooring to dry for 24 hours.