Installing Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has become a more and more popular flooring option among homeowners. Whether you’re interested in engineered hardwood, or already have some ready to be installed in your home, you could probably use some engineered hardwood flooring installation tips. Read on to learn more about installation tips and methods:
A few tips before starting engineered hardwood installation:
- Let the planks sit in the room of installation for at least 72 hours in order to adjust to the room’s climate.
- Mix planks from different boxes to ensure a smoother flow. This will also add character to your flooring.
- Look out for damaged planks; you don’t want to use any in your flooring.
- Gather your tools: Cutting saw, painting tape, pull bar, rubber mallet, tapping block, trowel, spacers, wood cleaning solution.
Floating Floor Method
The floating method consists of laying the engineered hardwood over a subfloor and clicking them into place. It’s considered to be the easiest installation method, since there’s no need for gluing or nailing. It takes time just like the other methods, but it’s neater and the room for error is smaller. As long as the subfloor is dry and flat, installation should be easy.
Glue Down Floor Method
The glu- down method is relatively easy as well. It’s perfect for subfloors that are made of concrete. Flooring adhesive must be spread across the subfloor before the planks are installed. Some adhesives provide instructions saying that planks should be installed while the glue is still wet, while others say they should after the adhesive has dried. The first option is easier beacuse you’ll be able to complete the installation quicker.
If you opt for installing planks while the adhesive is still wet, try to install them two feet at a time to help with the overall flow of installation so you won’t have to worry about the adhesive drying before installation.
Staple Down Floor Method
The staple-down method is the most difficult, but most homeowners opt for it because it’s one of the most secure methods as well. You’ll need carpentry experience so, if you don’t have any, you should either have it professionally installed or choose one of the other installation methods.
Using the staple-down method, planks are installed about six inches apart. Since engineered hardwood consists of other, non-hardwood layers, it’s best to use staples instead of nails.
Basics of installation
- It’s best to lay down planks two rows at a time. Additionally, you should leave about a half-inch space between the first row and the wall. You can do so by using spacers.
- Make sure that the planks’ tongues are facing the wall.
- Stagger all planks by six inches to prevent repetitive patterns. You don’t want H-joints that will ruin the charm of your flooring.
- You can lock planks into place by using a rubber mallet.
- If you opt for the glue down method, make sure that no glue dries on top of the planks. However, glue probably will end up finding its way onto the planks during installation, so it’s best to keep a safe cleaning solution handy.
- After the planks have been installed, avoid foot traffic for at least 24 hours.
Engineered hardwood installation can be quite a difficult task, so it’s best to have the number for a reliable flooring company handy. Sure, you’ll save money by installing the flooring yourself, but it’ll take longer and you’ll probably end up making mistakes.
For quality flooring and installation, give Floors Touch a call at (214) 326-0100! Also, please visit our website—https://floorstouch.com—and check out our blog for more helpful flooring and home remodeling input. You can also visit our social media for more details.
Do you want to know more about our home flooring solutions? Call Floors Touch of McKinney at (214) 326-0100 for more information.