DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS Once you’ve selected an engineered hardwood product, your starting point for any question is to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The best way to install engineered hardwood flooring is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
Don’t make the dangerous assumption that all a manufacturer’s guidelines for preparing the surface and installing any of their products are the same. Be proactive and ask questions. This guide is the perfect starting point for building your list of questions.
CHECKLISTS TO MAKE
INSTALLATION EASIER We’ve put together four checklists to help make your engineered hardwood flooring project a bit easier.
PRE-INSTALLATION CHECKLIST Managing the subfloor
● Assess and prep the subfloor surface. Scrape and clean the surface, making sure to remove all debris.
● Make any necessary repairs on the subfloor.
● If a concrete subfloor is in place, conduct an RH moisture test on the concrete according to the ASTM F2170 standard to verify its readiness for installation.
● If working with a wood subfloor, measure the moisture content percentage (MC%) of the wood subfloor and the engineered wood flooring to confirm all the engineered hardwood is acclimated and suitable for installation.
Handling the engineered hardwood
● It’s critical to unpack and acclimate the engineered hardwood flooring under monitored conditions.
● Be careful when laying out the engineered hardwood flooring material. Ensure that joints have appropriate offsets and that you avoid discernable patterns.
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● Check to make sure that the subfloor is flat within a minimum of 3mm inch over a 3m span. If needed, apply a leveling compound to mitigate variances.
GLUE IT: THE MOST
PERMANENT SOLUTION ● When selecting the starter wall, consider the grain of the engineered hardwood, as well as how light may affect the perspective.
● Snap a line or use some sort of straight edge to ensure that boards are lined up straight.
● Allow spacing (typically a minimum of 1.2 cm) for expansion on all perimeters, per manufacturer specifications. Consider using half-inch spacers to maintain consistency.
● Trowel spread the glue in a predetermined area. Avoid spreading wider than a metre as it may dry faster than you can install, which can create a potentially messy situation.
● Secure the planks in place during installation so they don’t shift out of alignment. You can assert downward pressure on the planks by rolling the flooring using a 150-pound wheel roller. The bottom line is that you want broad, uniform contact between the flooring material and the adhesive.
● Always clean excess adhesive before it has a chance to dry. ● Finish by installing baseboard and trim products.
● Don’t use a rubber mallet as it can damage the flooring. Do use a tapping block to fit the planks snuggly.
● Avoid any heavy foot traffic for at least 24 hours. NAIL IT: A FAST AND SIMPLE
OPTION ON A WOOD SUBFLOOR ● Choose the correct pneumatic stapler or nailer to install your engineered hardwood product.
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● Snap a line or use some sort of straight edge to ensure that boards are lined up straight. Allow spacing (typically a minimum of 1.2 cm) for expansion on all perimeters,
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