When contemplating new installing wooden flooring, it is natural to have concerns regarding the process. While it is always advisable to engage the services of a professional flooring specialist, the following recommendations for installing wooden flooring may prove beneficial:
Select Your Wooden Floor with Care
A plethora of hardwood flooring options exists, so it is crucial to select the most suitable one for your requirements. Hardwood flooring is available in an assortment of grain patterns, wood species, plank dimensions, and surface finishes. Each of these factors is essential, as you will desire the flooring to harmonize seamlessly with your environment. Additionally, it is imperative to consider whether you prefer solid hardwood or engineered hardwood. Your installation method may influence this decision. If underfloor heating is present or you intend to float the flooring over an underlay, you will need to opt for engineered hardwood.
Furthermore, the subfloor may dictate the type or thickness of the flooring. For instance, if joists are involved, your wooden flooring must have a minimum thickness of 18mm. For further insights, you may refer to the guidelines on fitting wood flooring onto various subfloors. Another consideration when installing wooden flooring is the level of foot traffic in the area. Certain wood species exhibit greater durability than others. In high-traffic areas such as hallways or living spaces, a robust option like Oak may be appropriate. Conversely, for a less active room, a more delicate wood like Walnut could be a fitting choice.
Allow Your Wood Floor to Acclimatize
Upon delivery of your hardwood flooring to your residence, it is essential to permit adequate acclimatization. Acclimatization refers to the process of allowing the flooring to adjust to its new environment. As hardwood is a natural material, it will inevitably undergo expansion and contraction in response to variations in temperature and humidity. By allowing your hardwood flooring to acclimatize to your home, you mitigate the risk of damage post-installation. Here are several straightforward steps to ensure proper acclimatization of your flooring:
- Ensure that your flooring is delivered well in advance of the scheduled installation.
- Position the hardwood flooring, still in its original packaging, in the designated installation room.
- The room should be completely dry; do not leave the hardwood on a damp surface or in an area where wet plaster is present on the walls.
- Avoid placing the wooden flooring directly adjacent to a heater or radiator.
- Allow solid wood flooring to acclimatize for a minimum of 7 days.
- Allow engineered wood flooring to acclimatize for at least 72 hours.
Prepare your subfloor for installation
It is imperative to meticulously prepare your subfloor prior to installation. Inadequate preparation may lead to damage to your flooring. The key aspects to verify include whether your subfloor is flat, level, clean, and dry.
- Utilize a spirit level to confirm that your subfloor is both flat and level. Should it be found lacking, you will need to either apply a layer of plywood (for a wooden subfloor) or employ a self-leveling compound (for a concrete subfloor).
- Assess the Moisture Content (MC) of your subfloor using a Moisture Meter. A wooden subfloor should maintain an MC of 16% or lower, while a concrete subfloor should be at or below 6% MC. If the moisture levels are insufficient, it is advisable to allow additional time for natural drying.
- Ensure that your subfloor is thoroughly clean. Eliminate any residual chemicals or adhesives that may still adhere to the surface, and then proceed to sweep away any dust and debris.
Review the hardwood floor installation instructions
You will receive comprehensive instructions accompanying your hardwood flooring. It is critically important that you thoroughly read and comprehend these guidelines. They encompass all necessary information from preparing your space to the actual installing wooden flooring. Should you have any inquiries or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Ensure you possess the appropriate equipment
Possessing the correct equipment is always recommended when embarking on any project. Consider what you or your installer may require to facilitate installing wooden flooring. If you are opting for a floating floor, underlay may be necessary. In the case of tongue and groove flooring, it is likely that WPVA glue will be required for the joints. Furthermore, if you are securing your floor, determine whether glue or nails are needed.
Install your wood flooring in the appropriate direction
The orientation in which you choose to installing wooden flooring is entirely at your discretion. However, it is advisable to contemplate the aesthetic outcome for the room. Many individuals lay their flooring lengthwise in accordance with the direction of light emanating from a window or door. This approach accentuates the inherent beauty of the flooring by allowing light to interact with the grain pattern.
Additionally, consider the dimensions and shape of the room; installing wooden flooring along the length in a smaller room can create an illusion of increased space. One essential guideline to adhere to, when nailing the floor to existing floorboards, is to position the new flooring perpendicular to the existing boards. This practice will enhance the stability and strength of installing wooden flooring.
Related post: 9 Common Hardwood Flooring Installation Mistakes
Ensure the presence of an expansion gap
When installing wooden flooring of any variety, it is imperative to incorporate an expansion gap. This gap should extend completely around the perimeter of the room, including areas such as doorways, plumbing, and fireplaces. The minimum width of the expansion gap should be 10mm. The primary purpose of this gap is to provide your hardwood flooring with the necessary space to expand and contract in response to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Neglecting to include an expansion gap may result in insufficient space for the flooring to expand, potentially leading to damage. There is no need for concern regarding the appearance of the expansion gap after the flooring installation; it will be concealed with various flooring accessories such as beading, skirting, door strips, and pipe covers.
Proceed with the installation of your wooden floor
The installation of wood flooring is contingent upon several factors: the specific type of flooring selected and the nature of the subfloor. Numerous installation methods are available, including floating over an underlay, adhering with glue, secret nailing, or secret screwing. It is essential to ensure that your chosen installation method aligns with your home’s requirements and the particular flooring you have acquired. All of our hardwood flooring products include comprehensive fitting instructions. It is crucial that you thoroughly review these instructions prior to the installation process. These guidelines are designed to assist you in achieving optimal results with your new wooden floor. Should you have any uncertainties or require additional guidance, we encourage you to reach out to us.
Apply the finishing touches to the floor
Upon completion of the wood flooring installation, you will likely require various flooring accessories to provide the final enhancements to the room. As previously noted, expansion gaps will be present around the edges of your space. These gaps can be conveniently concealed using a selection of flooring accessories such as skirting boards, beading (quarter round), door bars, ramps, and pipe covers.
Maintain and care for your new wood flooring
Maintaining and caring for your new installing wooden flooring is essential to preserving its pristine appearance. The process of cleaning any type of wooden floor is straightforward. Begin by sweeping the floor daily to eliminate dust and debris. Subsequently, it is advisable to clean the floor with a dedicated wooden floor cleaning spray and mop at least once a week. This practice will help to keep your floor looking polished and fresh.
Additionally, you can implement a few preventive measures to avert damage to your new flooring. Remember to remove outdoor footwear before traversing your floor, and promptly wipe up any spills. It is also recommended to affix felt protector pads to the bases of furniture or heavy items to further safeguard the flooring. We strongly recommend that you entrust installing wooden flooring to a professional team.