How to Install an Engineered Hardwood Floor
An engineered hardwood floor is manufactured from multiple plies of wood with a sturdy top layer. Beneath the top layer are cross layers of plywood, pressed together to forge a secure and stable core. The underlying section is a hardwood backing.
Engineered hardwood floors are uncomplicated and easy to install. They increase the value of your house and add warmth and elegance. They are also resistant to moisture and humidity which makes them a considerably great alternative to traditional hardwood floors. Below are the tools and steps on how to install an engineered hardwood floor or you can have McKinney Flooring And Remodeling install a beautiful new flooring for you.
Pointers before you begin with the project:
- Lead time to complete the whole project is two days depending on the size of the floor to be covered.
- It is advised not to walk on the new flooring for at least 24-hours. You may need to leave a walking strip and complete the flooring until the new flooring is stable.
- Check the quality of the board for signs of warping and other defects.
- You might need to buy a trowel with teeth for applying the glue if you are working with the glue-down method.
- Make sure to wear the safety gadgets before starting the project.
- To create a unified look, mix and match the different pieces of planks to avoid patches of color.
STEP 1
Clean and prepare the floor for installation
Ensure that there is no protruding nails and staples on the subfloor as well as any debris that’s left behind. Sweep, vacuum, and scrub the floor to remove dust and other particles. The floor needs to be completely dried before you continue with the installation of the new floor.
STEP 2
Roll out and mount the tar paper
Roll out the tar paper and fasten it to the floor using a staple gun. This will create a barrier for moisture, preventing condensation from the subfloor. If not done properly, moisture could be lurking on the underside of your new flooring, causing it to form mildew and eventually, rot.
STEP 3
Prepare the planks
Wooden planks can come with quite a uniform color within the whole box, but you should see different color tones on each plank. There may be some natural color variation from the plank pieces so intermix and blend the planks among the multiple boxes to make sure that the colors blend well. Color variations distributed evenly across the space can be a great asset to your living space.
STEP 4
Install the new flooring
Look for the longest wall in the area, and start from there. Floor planks commonly have a tongue and groove style which should slide together. Fasten the planks to the floor using a pneumatic floor stapler. Ensure that every plank is locked together by hammering them with a rubber mallet.
STEP 5
Attach the baseboard and threshold
Once you have completed the flooring, hide the seams with a baseboard to the base of the wall and finish with a nailer.
