Engineered wood flooring is the best option if you are looking for the flooring options, as it looks sleek and is durable as well.
If you have bought the engineered wood flooring for your house, you must learn how the installation works. This Detailed guide will help you along the way. You need to follow the instructions carefully.
Engineered Wood Flooring Installation Preparations
To ensure that the flooring is done correctly, you should initially prepare the engineered wood planks. Following these steps will surely help you install the new floor perfectly.
How to prepare the Plank
There is no need to install the engineered wood flooring right away if you’ve bought it now. So, before installing, the plank should be adjusted as per the room climate.
Prepare Subflooring
During the time when your floor is adjusted, the room temperature removes the staples, old nails, and loose dirt and starts preparing for the new flooring.
Use Sub layment
Always install engineered wood on top of an underlayment. They prevent moisture from building under your floors. This will for sure increase the life of your wooden flooring.
Methods of Installing Engineered Wood Flooring
There are three different types of Engineered wood flooring installation methods:
- Floating Installation
- Glue Down installation
- Staple/Nail Installation
Floating Installation
Floating installation is only approved for engineered designs with at least 5 plies. Otherwise any thing could be damage while floating.
Step 1: Firstly, lay down the underlayment. For any floating floor, the use of an underlayment is a must thing. Use minimum ⅛” thickness underlayment with 2.0 # density.
Step 2: Secondly, Leave enough space for Expansion. There should be at least ½” space maintained around the room. This will allow the floor to easily adjust when they contract normally. Those wo don’t leave the expansion will end up the floor to buckle at the end.
Step 3: Apply Glue on the Grooves. People who are more concerned about their engineered wood strength tend to glue on the grooves. This will add extra strength to the Floor during the installation. It should be properly used along the full length of the grooved side. Use a 3/32 inch bead of glue while the groove is filled with glue you will be unable to seal the seam.
Step 4: The installation usually begins from the left-hand corner to the longest wall of the room and after that starts with installing the three rows of flooring glued simultaneously with the blue tape with the groove facing the wall. Moreover, Spacers must create a minimum of ½” extension space between the walls and the floor. After installing 8-10 rows of flooring, take a moment to check for crowning and heaving caused by tension or improper tapping.
Glue Down installation
You can install the floor using either of the following method dry or wet. Follow all instructions and guidelines provided by the manufacturer. The steps need to be followed during the Glue Down installation. Failure to follow the guidelines can result in damage to your floor.
- Initially identify the starter wall
- Spread the Adhesive
- Begin Installing the Floor
Staple/Nail Installation
You can install engineered hardwood floors over wooden subfloors with staples or flooring clamps. It is important ot use the correct type of flooring stapler for engineered wood flooring.
Following are the steps that are involved in it:
- Choose the proper stapler
- Install a polyethylene layer
- Begin installing the floor
Conclusion
The glue-down method is the best and most preferable way to install the engineered wood flooring. However, there is significantly less noise associated with this method, and the method is more sound than the rest of the methods. So, if you’re planning to install engineered wood flooring, we’ll suggest you use the Second method.