December 13, 2017

Installing Engineered Wood Flooring

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Quality engineered wood flooring provides the versatility to transform and elevate the aesthetic beauty of virtually any space, no matter the dimensions or your taste. Upgrading floors to an authentic wood look and feel is a cost-effective way to increase the comfort and style of your interior design and create a more enjoyable living environment while enhancing the value of your home.

If you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing space, following expert tips for installing engineered hardwood flooring will ensure a successful project and long-lasting results.

Getting-Started Tips for Installing Engineered Hardwood Flooring

When installing engineered wood flooring, there are some things you need to check off your list before you begin the process. You should have all the tools and materials you’ll need to complete the entire job on-site and accessible before the wood planks arrive. From pulling up existing flooring materials (if necessary) and prepping the subfloor to removing doors, molding or anything else that will get in the way of your installation, a clean and organized space supports a smoother installation process.

Another important tip for installing engineered hardwood flooring is acclimating the flooring for seven to ten days before installing. The wood flooring must sit in the enclosed space it is going to be installed in until its moisture level is within the optimal range of the room based on an average humidity and temperature range. Acclimation will prevent shrinkage or swelling after installation that leads to distortion of shape and dimension and structural damage. Once the wood is acclimated and your site prepped, it’s time to move forward with the installation.

Installing Engineered Hardwood Flooring

The first rule of thumb when installing engineered wood flooring is to follow the original manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations. This action is critical to ensure you are taking the necessary steps and precautions while also protecting you from violating the warranty agreement.

Additional tips for installing engineered hardwood flooring include:

  • Draw your floor plan in advance, measuring and marking where to place each plank. Start by carefully selecting the best place to begin laying down floor boards.
  • Best practices suggest choosing a wall as a starting place that spans the longest distance in the room. It’s also wise to focus on how to lay out the flooring to best accent the room and complement its unique features.
  • When using planks with varying or random widths, arrange them on the floor starting with the widest plank and continuing in order of size to the smallest. Continue to repeat the pattern as you proceed throughout the room.

Tips for Installing Engineered Hardwood Flooring by Type

One of the exceptional things about engineered hardwood flooring is it comes in many different varieties to fit your budget and your aesthetics. However, each variety, including glue-down engineered strip and plank, mechanically fastened strip and plank and floating engineered flooring, requires different installation methods. Consider the following tips for installing different types of engineered hardwood flooring:

  • Glue-Down Engineered Flooring – When installing engineered wood flooring that is glued down, it’s crucial to test the substrate to ensure the moisture level of the subfloor is within the appropriate moisture range for proper adhesion to occur. Only apply adhesive materials recommended by the original manufacturer.
  • Floating Engineered Flooring – Installing floating engineered flooring requires the subfloor to be extremely flat. If sections of the wood or concrete subfloor dip or elevate beyond the acceptable range, it must be flattened by sanding or some other mechanism. Before laying down your starter board, make sure the subfloor is clean, without structural weaknesses and free of excessive moisture. Installing a moisture retardant is typically required for this type of flooring.
  • Mechanically Fastened Flooring – To avoid having floors that squeak or make settling noises, closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Precautionary steps may include acclimating the planks or strips for three or more days or using the appropriate adapter plates when using manual fastening machines.

Learn More About Installing Engineered Wood Flooring

Since 1977, Superior Hardwoods of Montana has been providing quality products backed by personalized service and support. Whether you’re interested in choosing a product from our extensive inventory or you’re looking for more tips for installing engineered hardwood flooring, our experts are here to help.

Let us guide you through the woods. Shop our selection of reclaimed, unique flooring and engineered, pre-finished and unfinished flooring options. Give us a call at (406)251-2272 or contact us online today.