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Engineered wood flooring has the luxurious look and feel that cause hardwood trading floor so seek - after by householder but with a few authoritative advantages . high up on the list ? Its affordability . Since its top layer is genuine wood utter with unique woods grains and grain , mastermind wood reckon nearly indistinguishable to solid hardwood , yetengineered hardwood shock costssignificantly less per square foot . What ’s more , it ’s one of the more DIY - friendly type of ball over to install — in some cases , it does n’t even have to be glue or nailed down . Ahead , we explicate how to install engineer hardwood flooring , includingHome Decorators Collection engineered wood flooring , which is exclusive to The Home Depot .
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Thistype of hardwoodflooring comprise of several stratum of materials that are paste together . Unlike hardwood floor , which is made of substantial forest , organize hardwood flooringconsists of a core layer of plywood or fiberboard , a top layer of hardwood , and a backer layer that provide additional strength and wet protection . The top layer , which is also called the wearable layer , can drift in thickness from 1 to 6 millimeters . The thicker the top layer , the more durable — and typically more expensive — the engineered hardwood flooring .
There are a few unlike direction to install engineer woodwind instrument flooring : It can be float over the subfloor , or glued , stapled , or nailed to the subfloor . The installation methods available to you will variegate depending on the type of floor planks you choose , and the eccentric of subfloor you have . For instance , it ’s coarse to use the float method to install click - lock floor because the boards essentially lock ( or “ chatter ” ) together and do n’t necessitate an adhesive or fixing to stay in place . Though tongue - and - groove floor board also lock together , it ’s uncouth practice to glue the roast to keep them from go when they are walked upon . alike , you may only employ the nail - down or staple fibre - down installation method if you have a wood subfloor to which nails and stirrup can fasten .
Pros and Cons of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
There are several advantage and disadvantages to consider when decide whether engineer Ellen Price Wood is the ripe flooring for your space .
Pros
Cons
Preparing to Install Engineered Hardwood
It will never be the font that you ’ll amount straight home from the home melioration center with boxes of engineered hardwood and start out repose the flooring — there will always be some homework to do before you get to work . When planning your project , be sure to factor in at least 24 hour ’ time to acclimate the wood to its new environs .
SUPPLIES
Home Decorators Collection mastermind wood flooringCarpenter ’s pencilConcrete patch or leveler4 - understructure levelNotched trowelCircular sawPry barConstruction screwsPutty knifeFlooring underlaymentHouse wrap tapeUtility KnifeTape measure
Step 1: Acclimate the flooring.
Like strong wood take aback andlaminate hardwood flooring , engineer wood productsare raw to moisture , alternately shrinking and expanding as temperature and humidity levels fluctuate . Therefore , the first pace in engineered hardwood facility is to contribute in the boards , remove any packaging , and give your purchased flooring at least 24 hours to acclimatise to the conditions of its fresh environment . While you may be anxious to get get down laying the floor , this stride is crucial . Installing engineered hardwood before it ’s had time to acclimatize can cause the boards to clasp or opening to form after on .
Step 2: Prepare the subfloor.
While you ’re waiting for your boards to acclimate , you’re able to take on any necessary repairs to the subfloor , which should be politic , level , and mat to secure the new flooring Lie flush against the subfloor after installing .
After remove any erstwhile flooring or carpeting , check the concrete subfloor for any damage or impression .
Remove andreplace any damage sections of subfloorbefore installing the fresh floor .
Photo: The Home Depot
Step 3: Remove the baseboards.
As with other types of floor , you ’ll need to take away the baseboard by poke them off with a pry bar legal community before installation . Take care not to damage the baseboards as you remove them because you ’ll necessitate to reinstall them after you ’ve add the flooring .
Step 4: Install underlayment.
Unless you ’re using an engineer hardwood flooring product with pre - attached underlay , you ’ll want to instal carpet pad before installing the flooring . Underlayment do several purposes . It functions as a vaporisation barrier , forbid moisture from reaching the subfloor and causing putrefaction and mold maturation . Underlayment also bestow cushioning that makes the floor more prosperous to walk on , and mathematical function as a sound roadblock that prevents the level from rubbing against the subfloor and creaking .
Step 5: Take measurements.
You ’ll need to measure the room to determine how many row of plank you ’ll need for the installation and to assure the first and last wrangle of plank are a uniform breadth .
Method 1: Floating Engineered Hardwood Flooring
This is the most common instalment method acting for click - ignition lock flooring . When installing floating direct woodwind instrument floor , working around door jamb can be tricky . employ a speed squareto measure around the jamb , then tick off each board and use a jigsaw to cut it to fit into place .
Home Decorators Collection click - curl orchestrate Mrs. Henry Wood flooringCarpenter ’s pencilFlooring spacersLarge synthetic rubber malletFlooring adhesiveCircular sawormiter sawMasking tapeTapping blockFlooring perpetrate barTable sawJigsawSpeed square
Step 1: Set up the initial rows.
Begin in one street corner of the room and work pull up stakes to rightfulness to set up the floors . invest the first board so that the grooved side face the paries . Use spacers around the edges of the elbow room to create a 1/4 - inch gap between the bulwark and the board .
Step 2: Install the planks.
Apply floor adhesive to the groove of each plank , then get together each plank by inserting the tongue into the groove . Tap the circuit board together using the hammer and tapping block .
Pro tip : Before applying flooring adhesive , mock up the first three wrangle of planks . Doing so will make it easier to stagger the seams to make a natural look before you give to the layout by apply glue .
If you ’re installingHome Decorators Collection click - lock engineered wood floor , there ’s no motivation to use gum . Hold the second plank at a 45 - stage angle and connect the tongue to the channel of the first plank , then drop the plank down to snap it into place .
Photo: Peeradon Warithkorasuth / Getty Images
contract the last circuit board at the conclusion of each row to duration using a circular saw or miter power saw , and use a flooring puff legal profession with a mallet to tap it into lieu . Use masking mag tape to hold the planks together while the glue prohibitionist .
The last dustup probably wo n’t be a perfect tantrum , so you ’ll need to employ a board see to cut each board in the last row to size of it .
Method 2: Glue-Down Engineered Hardwood Flooring
The gum - down installation method acting for engineered hardwood floor is often used when your subfloor is concrete , or can not reconcile being nailed or stapled . This mode of installing may also lead to less shifting and noise when you walk on it , especially compared to the floating installation method acting .
As you ’re gluing engineered woodwind instrument flooring , you may spill some mucilage on the airfoil of the boards as you work . If that ’s the case , you could use mineral strong drink and a clean soft cloth to wipe away glue before it dries .
shock adhesiveNotched trowelHome Decorators Collection spit and rut mastermind wood flooringFlooring spacersTapping blockLarge golosh malletFlooring pull barMineral spiritsMicrofiber clothCarpenter ’s pencilTable sawing machine
Photo: The Home Depot
Step 1: Lay the flooring adhesive.
set out in one street corner of the elbow room , use a notched trowel to lay enough glue , or flooring adhesive material , for two row of hardwood flooring . Keep in mind that the trowel size you use will reckon on the eccentric of floor , so check the maker ’s recommendation before you start spreading .
Step 2: Install the first plank.
Beginning in one corner of the way , lay the first plank into property and then press it down steadfastly to check that the glue adheres to the entire surface area of the board . apply floor spacers to maintain a 1/4 - column inch crack between the wall and the flooring .
Step 3: Install the second plank.
set up the next plank by inserting the tongue into the groove while holding the panel up at about a 45 - degree angle . Once tuck , contract the display panel down into the glue . Tap each board tightly against the other using a solicit block and mallet to ensure there are no gaps between each board . Use the flooring pull bar to reduce the boards at the end of each quarrel flush to the adjoining board .
As with other installing character , make certain you stagger the seam as you ’re installing each plank .
persist in installing boards follow this method , using weight to hold down any bow planks and mask mag tape to prevent the floor from go as you ’re installing it .
Pro gratuity : If you have the time , set up the first three row , then give them a full day to dry out . This will give you a firm base to work against as you deploy the balance of the floor .
Method 3: Staple-Down or Nail-Down Engineered Hardwood Flooring
you may only use the staple - down or nail - down method when installing engineered wood flooring over a wood subfloor . Use a flooring stapling machine for most engineered hardwood , and switch to a flooring nailer if the engineered hardwood is peculiarly thick or lie of a denser hardwood .
Whether you use a dump stapler or take aback nailer , the mental process for installing hardwood floor is the same .
Home Decorators Collection engineered wood flooringFlooring spacersFinish nailerorhammerandnail punchTapping blockFlooring pull barLarge rubber malletStaple gun ( if using)Flooring nailerorflooring staplerCarpenter ’s pencilTable proverb
Step 1: Install the first row.
lie down the first words of boards , using spacers to make the necessary 1/4 - column inch expansion gap between the wall and floor . assure the first row by top nailing them with close nail at 6 - column inch interval . you’re able to use a finish nailer or a pound and a nail puncher . Make certain the nail principal are countersunk into the woodwind instrument .
Step 2: Install the second row.
sum up the second row , tap each plank into place against the first row using the exploit blockage and mallet . Secure each board by staple it through the tongue with the staple gun or finish nailer at a 45 - degree angle , again spacing each staple at 6 - inch intervals . do the profoundness adjuster so that the staple or nail heads are countersunk ; otherwise , the next row of boards wo n’t correspond flush against them . employ the flooring pull bar to draw out the final board in the row flush against the adjoining board .
Step 3: Add the remaining rows.
Once you hit the third row of boards , you should have enough headroom from the wall to apply a flooring nailer or stapler to seize the remain rows until you reach the far end of the room .
Step 4: Install the last row.
Once you pass the other end of the room , you wo n’t have headway to habituate the flooring or stapling nailer . Switch back to the stapling machine or a finish nailer to instal and cheek - nail the last row or two .
FAQs
The glue - down method is the best pick for installing hardwood floor , especially over concrete subfloors , as it provides the most stability .
One of the best thing about engineered hardwood flooring is that it ’s DIY - well-disposed . float the floor tend to be the simplest installation option for DIYers , as it does n’t require expensive specialized putz or undue quantity of gum .
You ’ll pass between $ 4.50 and $ 16 per straight foot for engineered hardwood , depending on the trade name , according toAngi . If you prefer to hire someone to establish it , you ’ll devote an extra $ 3 to $ 6 per square foot .
Engineered hardwood base last between 20 and 30 years , depending on the caliber of the flooring , the amount of traffic it ’s debunk to , and how well it ’s preserve . broadly speaking , a floor with a thickheaded wear stratum will last the long .
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