Upgrade Your Home: Art of Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation

Engineered wood floors add beauty and versatility to any room, and the installation options make them much more appealing. Most engineered wood planks are installed using the standard tongue-and-groove method, which ensures a snug and flawless fit. 

However, recent advancements have made engineered hardwood flooring installation a snap. With these technological improvements, determining the best installation procedure depends on your floor type and preferences. 

In this blog, we know more about the methods you can use for installing engineered hardwood flooring, depending on the type of floor. 

Equipment And Tools You Need to Install Hardwood Floor

Here’s a list of tools you need to install the hardwood flooring yourself. 

1. Measurement tool: A tape measure is necessary to gauge the floor and planks precisely.

2. Saw: To cut planks to size, a handsaw is needed for single planks and an electric saw for multiple planks.

3. Spacers: The purpose of spacers is to keep the required expansion gap around the room in place.

4. Pencil and ruler: These tools are used for precise measurement and marking.

5. Underlay: A crucial layer that provides cushioning and soundproofing is needed for an engineered wood floor.

6. Rubber mallet: It helps in placing planks without causing any damage to them.

7. Adhesive and Nails: Depending on your method of installation, adhesive and nails may be needed.

How to Install Engineered Hardwood Floors?

Acclimatize Hardwood Planks

Make sure to acclimate the unboxed planks in the room where they will be placed before installing a wooden floor. To ensure both visual appeal and protection from damage, let the wood settle to room temperature for five to seven days. 

Instead of stacking each box, place it flat on the floor for installations with underfloor heating. Turn on the heat at a low setting and gradually raise it by about 2 degrees every few days. The slow change enables the wood to adjust to the heating system, leading to maximum longevity and performance.

Remove the Base Trim

Start by taking out the shoe molding, which is a small circular trim that is placed in front of the baseboard at the bottom of the wall. Use a pry bar to carefully raise it off the surface. 

Pull the baseboards away from the wall to prevent damage. Store the removed moldings in a safe place in case you decide to replace them or use them for another project.

Take Out The Old Flooring

It would be required to remove ceramic tile, carpet, or existing wood floors to install a new one. However, in many cases, hardwood floors can be installed directly over specific types of vinyl flooring. 

Make sure the subfloor is level, clean, and dry before starting.  While ceramic tiles might need to be chipped and smoothed, old carpet needs to be taken out and disposed of properly. 

Get The Subfloor Ready

First, level and clean the subfloor thoroughly. Check the surface for flaws and dips after fixing any loose areas with screws or nails. Ensure that the floor is level and smooth to provide a solid hardwood flooring base. 

Your engineered wood flooring installation will be more successful and durable if you take the time to correctly prepare the subfloor. 

Cut Off the Door Moldings

For optimal fit of your new flooring, trim the bottoms of the door casing moldings. This gives the impression of smoothness by enabling the surface to slide beneath it. Cut precisely and securely using a straight-edge handsaw. 

On the other hand, a flush-cutting blade on an electric oscillating device can simplify and speed up the task.  

Install The Underlayments

Select the appropriate underlayment for your floating or nail-down flooring installation. Builder's paper or rosin paper are the typical underlays for nail-down installations. Together, these components provide a solid basis and protect hardwood from moisture. 

Select a foam underlayment if you have floating flooring. This sort of underlayment provides cushioning underfoot, minimizes noise, and smoothes minor subfloor irregularities. Installing the appropriate underlayment is important for solid and long-lasting floors. 

Set Up The First Row

Get ready to prepare the first row:

1. Nail-down floors: Draw a chalk line along the leading edge of the first row. Make sure you leave the appropriate expansion gap between the wall and the trailing edges of the boards. 

2. Floating floors: Place wooden or plastic spacer blocks along the starting wall. Each manufacturer will specify how much space to allow, which is normally 1/4 to 3/8 inch. To obtain a flawless fit, be sure to follow these installation requirements. 

Install The First Row

Start with Installing the strip along one long wall:

1. Nail-down floors: Place the boards with the tongue edges facing out along the chalk line. Finish nails are driven through the upper face of the boards to secure them. As a result, the boards will be perfectly installed and tightly bound.

2. Floating Floors: Lay the first row of boards parallel to the spacers and with their tongue edges facing the wall. Most likely, the first row of planks' end joints will be interlocking joints. Use a wood block and a rubber mallet to secure them tightly. 

Place the Next Row 

To achieve a more natural look, place the second row so that the joints between the boards are offset from one row to the next.

1. Nail-down Floors: Place each fresh board so that its groove overlaps the tongues of the previous row. Secure the boards through the tongue edges with a flooring nailer or stapler. 

2. Floating Floors: Hold each plank at an angle and place its tongue into the groove of the row before it in the subsequent rows. Press the board flat to ensure that the components interlock. Use a wood block and hammer to tap the boards together to tighten the joints.

Reinstall the Base Trim

Once your new engineered hardwood floor is installed, replace the baseboard trim and shoe molding. Finish by giving the floor a thorough cleaning using a vacuum with a hard-flooring attachment to ensure a pristine and polished look.

However, if you run into problems, just simply search for “engineered hardwood floors near me.” You’ll be able to locate flooring experts. Check out the customers’ reviews to choose the one that suits you best. 

Conclusion

With your perfect engineered hardwood flooring installation, you've brought style and durability to your space. Reinstalling the base trim and giving the floor a thorough cleaning ensures a flawless finish. 

Ready to experience the elegance of your floor? Dive in and enjoy the stunning transformation you’ve achieved!