There are four methods for installing a wood floor: nail down, staple down, glue
down, and free-float. If cement is the base of your floor, then you can only use
glue down and free-float. If you have plywood, then you can use any of the four
choices. This article explains how to go about the installation of free-floating
floors.
The four methods from easiest to hardest
are:
Free-float: requires little to no experience, and will help
you save money on the cost of installation. If you have no experience, this is
the one recommended.
Glue down: recommended for people with some
experience. This method is not that difficult if your sub-floor is flat or
requires only a minimal amount of preparation.
Staple down: this
method requires skill with power tools. You may be able to rent the stapler that
is needed for this job.
Nail down: if you need to read this
article to find out how to install a floor, this method is not for you. It
requires experience and specific tools.
Free-Float
InstallationsFloating floors are installed as a panel system, rather
than as individual strips of wood. Most panels come in 8” by 96” lengths, and
fit together with a tongue-in-groove method. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions during the entire installation or your warranty will not be
eligible. The recommended adhesive is aliphatic resin glue as it is white, dries
within an hour, and is cured in 24 hours. Ensure that all excess glue is wiped
away with a damp sponge as you proceed.
1. Allow the boards to sit
in your house for 3 days before installing them so that they acclimatize to the
moisture in your house and don’t expand or contract too much once
installed.
2. Lay down the manufacturer recommended underlayment
on your sub-floor. Cut it with a utility knife to fit the room exactly. Products
are usually made of foam or plastic or a combination.
3. Fit the
first board into the corner. Leave a gap between the wall and flooring for the
wood to expand. Use a wood spacer.
4. Fit the next board into the
first - they should fit well with their special grooves.
5. Ensure
they are fitted tightly and place a spacer near the joint.
6. Apply adhesive on the edge of the next board, but not in the groove unless
specified by the manufacturer’s instructions. Most floors only require adhesive
on the edges and not on the ends.
7. Position the new board in
place and hammer it together with the adjacent board to secure. To protect the
flooring, place a scrap piece of wood in between the flooring and hammer.
Alternatively, you could use a tapping block.
8. Repeat until you
reach the last board. The last one may require cutting in order to
fit.
9. To fit the last board in place, use scrap wood to protect
the wall, and a pry bar to lower the last board into place.
This method
of installing wood floors has several advantages.
• Save time: minimal
sub-floor preparation is required
• Floating floors are stable and
forgiving since the foam placed on the sub-floor hides imperfections
• In
comparison to other installation methods, floating floors allow for the natural
expansion of wood without leaving gaps - the panels are glued together so the
floor expands as a whole. This is particularly important in areas where
temperature changes vary significantly between seasons
• Because the
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>hardwood flooring is not fastened directly on the sub-floor,
creaking sounds will not be heard.
