Barham & Sons 03/04/2022
Engineered wood flooring has many advantages that make it the preferred choice of many property owners. It is visually appealing, possesses natural warmth, is durable and adds value. There are also several ways in which these floors can be installed. This variety of options means that both professionals and novices in construction can capably install an engineered wood floor.
Engineered wood floors are made up of multiple layers of hardwood and plywood. The top layer is made of natural hardwood while the core and bottom layers are made up of plywood or other softwood.
The lower layers are what help lower the cost of this flooring as compared to solid wood flooring. They are also what makes this floor able to expand and contract as temperature and humidity levels change. This adaptability helps make the flooring durable and less likely to be damaged through such actions as cupping.
The first step should be to thoroughly review the manufacturer's installation guide on how to install this flooring.
Inspect the subfloor surface you are going to work on. Ensure that it is clean, smooth and level so that the flooring will also emerge the same.
Check for dampness or moisture. Wood can absorb moisture. You need to ensure the subfloor and any screed has dried out appropriately or be prepared to install a damp membrane. Take guidance from the installation manual.
Be sure to also assemble all tools you will be needing. This may include pencil for marking, adhesives, wood glue, tape measure, rubber mallet, block, hammer, nails, screws, saws, and cleaning products for after.
Because this flooring uses real wood as its top layers, it is going to naturally have some blemishes. You may find some pieces of floorboard have graining or knots you do not find as aesthetically pleasing.
Sorting will give you a chance to figure out how best to layout these pieces and likely place those that are not pleasing in discreet corners or where you know large pieces of furniture will be placed.
Even engineered wood flooring needs to be acclimatised to the space it will occupy. However, unlike solid wood flooring that needs up to a week, you can perform this task in just 48-72 hours.
This will require you to leave the flooring in the room it is to be installed at a room temperature of 18-27 °C and ensure the floor temperature is over 15°C.
If you want to install an underfloor heating system, this should be done before you install the engineered wood floor. Be sure to test the system fully before the next installation to ensure proper acclimatisation. The temperature increases should be done in slow increments and should not exceed 27°C.
Before you start the install, take some pieces of the floorboard and practice on how they are to fit together. This will also let you know if you have to perform any cuts.
Also, make a note of areas you may need to perform cuts on the board to accommodate, such as radiator fixtures.
Ensure you are using the correct engineered flooring underlay for the surface you are working on and for the floorboard. Also, place spacers around the perimeter of the room so you can account for the expansion gap. This information should be in the installation manual.
Start on the side of the room furthest from the door. That way you can finish laying engineered wood flooring and exit without stepping on the new floor.
Lay the first row while using wood glue on the plank ends and the tongue side facing the centre of the room.
If the floor is of a click and lock design, then you will not need to use glue for installation. Tongue and groove floorboards however require this use of adhesive.
Keep adding new rows while working from left to right. Ensure you keep applying wood glue to the tongue and groove seams. Wipe away any excess glue immediately that pushes out of the seam. If you have it, use painter's tape to help keep the pieces in the correct position as the glue dries.
Connect the pieces and tap each one along the way to ensure it rests firmly on the subfloor.
When working on the final row of your engineered flooring, be sure to account for the expansion gap while fitting engineered wood flooring. It should go under the skirting boards. This may require you to perform some cutting to get the right dimensions.
Leave the glue to dry and the floor to settle for at least a day before you start letting people walk on it or bring in furniture.
This installation will require you to spread a small amount of glue on the concrete subfloor. Start with about 2 to 3 board widths worth. Have a trowel on hand to spread and scrape away excess glue, ensuring the teeth touch the concrete.
Start to lay the first row of floorboards with the tongue side facing the centre of the room.
As you place the second row’s groove onto the first row’s tongue, give the floorboard a tap to ensure it fits securely. Use a rubber mallet and block for this. Repeat this with every new row completed.
Stagger your boards, leaving about 6 inches between ends. This will likely require you to cut some pieces to make the ends, but ensure you again account for the expansion gap in your measurements.
Keep applying and spreading glue as you lay more rows.
On the final row of the engineered flooring, ensure the dimensions of your floorboard pieces account for the expansion gap which should go under the skirting boards.
Try to finish off at the exit. This will allow you to leave without stepping on the new floor and allow the glue to dry over the next 24 hours undisturbed.
There are good reasons to want to install engineered wood floors on your property.
Because the design of engineered wood floorboards requires a top layer of real or solid wood, it looks much the same as solid hardwood flooring. It manages to capture the aesthetic of the real thing perfectly and you can choose to have the top layer in any real wood variety you prefer, be it oak, walnut or maple.
Engineered wood floorboards are designed to be able to adapt to whatever changes in climate. They expand and contract as temperatures and humidity change, ensuring no warping occurs. this is a problem common to solid hardwood flooring. This makes it a safe and durable investment for the long term.
One of the reasons behind this floor's durability is the thick top layer that can be sanded down. Even with great care, some minor damage may occur on the surface to disfigure the wood. Sanding down the top layer permits refinishing and a renewed look for the floor.
You can order engineered wood floorboards in a variety of colours, wood species and finishing. This allows property owners to match their flooring to whatever décor or design theme they prefer. This also means various price points that will allow you to find a suitable look at an affordable price.
When you consider how to lay engineered wood flooring, you will find that work can be easily and quickly accomplished. Even the click system is easy to understand for novice DIYers. You do however tend to get a better finish using professional installers.
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Our product range includes Solid and Engineered Oak flooring; Luxury Mineral Plank (LMP) and Luxury Vynil Tile (LVT) Flooring; Firecheck, solid, and semi-solid doors; Natural stone and wood wall panelling; and all the fitting and finishing accessories to complete your installation.
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