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DIY Hardwood Flooring Installation Guide
If you are reading this guide chances are that you have bought or considering buying hardwood flooring online and to save even more, you are considering installing your hardwood floor yourself. In order to know which installation to use (there are several methods), you need to look at the type of subfloor you bought. It is very important to choose the right subfloor matter as it can directly influence which floor to buy, method of installation needed and the overall quality of your wood flooring.
There are three common categories for subflooring:
- Concrete or cement/ screed
- Wooden-Plywood, Chipboards
- Floor Joist or battens
Please note that vinyl floors, glued-down carpets, and other existing flooring types are not suitable as subflooring (especially for wood floors) and must be removed. Before installing any type of flooring, it is important that you get down to the solid, flat and dry subfloor.
Wood and Beyond has summarized below the following information about subfloors and the flooring types and installation methods you can use:
There are three common categories for subflooring:
- Concrete or cement/ screed
- Wooden-Plywood, Chipboards
- Floor Joist or battens
Please note that vinyl floors, glued-down carpets, and other existing flooring types are not suitable as subflooring (especially for wood floors) and must be removed. Before installing any type of flooring, it is important that you get down to the solid, flat and dry subfloor.
Wood and Beyond has summarized below the following information about subfloors and the flooring types and installation methods you can use:
|
Subfloor |
Flooring Type |
Installation Method |
|
Concrete |
Solid |
Nailed onto Battens, Glue-Down |
|
Engineered |
Floating, Glue-Down |
|
|
Plywood, T&G |
Solid |
Nail-down, Glue-Down |
|
Engineered |
Floating, Glue-Down |
|
|
Particle Board |
Solid |
Glue-Down |
|
Engineered |
Floating. Glue-Down |
In case you are considering to install the floor above under floor heating then please note that you can only use Engineered flooring, for method of installation look at the below table:
|
Subfloor |
Flooring Type |
Installation Method |
|
Concrete |
Engineered |
Floating, Glue-Down |
|
|
|
|
|
Plywood, T&G |
Engineered |
Floating, Glue-Down |
|
|
|
Once you have determined your subfloor and you have chosen you flooring type you can start with the installation.
Preparation Steps:
- Make sure the room is completely free of any obstacles such as your old carpet or wooden floors so you can concentrate on installing rather than moving furniture around.
- Ensure the surface is clean from any debris and other reminisce of the previous floor.
Floating Installation
Floating Installation is the easiest DIY installation method because it requires the least amount of skill or prior experience in installing floors for the newbie builder. This is when you PVA glue the tongue and groove together. An underlayment is required with a floating installation to prevent contact between the floor and the subfloor and more importantly to serve as a moisture barrier and insulation. Quality underlayment to deaden the sound of walking on the floor can make a huge difference. If you've saved on the process so far by buying your hardwood floor online, make sure to install high quality underlayment. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the movement of a solid wood floor it is not recommended for floating installation.
Glue Down Installation
While this guide is likely to give you all the information you'll need for Glue-down installation, always read the information which came with the floor or contact the seller if unsure. Glue-down installation requires the use of a bonding agent or adhesives applied directly onto the subfloor and can be laid onto both concrete and wooden subfloors. PLEASE NOTE: always read the health and safety recommendations when working with agents. If you are laying over a concrete subfloor you will first need to put down a two part epoxy damp proof membrane to ensure no damp rises up into your new floor. Glue-down installation can be very stable when done properly, although it does take some time before you can actually walk on your floors. The adhesives will need to bond to the floor, and can be quite messy especially when done by a less skilled installer.
Nail-down Installation
Nail-down installation is the most straightforward of all solid wood floor installation methods, and is only advised if you have a wood subfloor and plenty of time to focus on the work. When installing over plywood the direction you choose to lay the planks does not matter; however, if you are going to nail down a new floor over an existing floorboards you must face the planks of the new floor in the opposite direction of the floorboards, essentially making a criss-cross pattern. Solid wood floors are thicker; hence, they need to be nailed down in order to stay in place so consider hiring a nailer for large surfaces otherwise it might take couple of days. Typically when nailing down an 18mm-22mm solid floor you will want to use 2” long nails. Generally, people regard nail-down installation as being very exacting and time-consuming. It requires you to use specific tools and equipment, which can be hard for a DIY job. There is also a certain skill and level of knowledge needed for this type of installation. One suggestion with all nail down installations is to use 2mm poly foam underlay this helps to make sliding boards into place easier and it also reduces the potential squeaking noise your floor produces when walked on.
Preparation Steps:
- Make sure the room is completely free of any obstacles such as your old carpet or wooden floors so you can concentrate on installing rather than moving furniture around.
- Ensure the surface is clean from any debris and other reminisce of the previous floor.
Floating Installation
Floating Installation is the easiest DIY installation method because it requires the least amount of skill or prior experience in installing floors for the newbie builder. This is when you PVA glue the tongue and groove together. An underlayment is required with a floating installation to prevent contact between the floor and the subfloor and more importantly to serve as a moisture barrier and insulation. Quality underlayment to deaden the sound of walking on the floor can make a huge difference. If you've saved on the process so far by buying your hardwood floor online, make sure to install high quality underlayment. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the movement of a solid wood floor it is not recommended for floating installation.
Glue Down Installation
While this guide is likely to give you all the information you'll need for Glue-down installation, always read the information which came with the floor or contact the seller if unsure. Glue-down installation requires the use of a bonding agent or adhesives applied directly onto the subfloor and can be laid onto both concrete and wooden subfloors. PLEASE NOTE: always read the health and safety recommendations when working with agents. If you are laying over a concrete subfloor you will first need to put down a two part epoxy damp proof membrane to ensure no damp rises up into your new floor. Glue-down installation can be very stable when done properly, although it does take some time before you can actually walk on your floors. The adhesives will need to bond to the floor, and can be quite messy especially when done by a less skilled installer.
Nail-down Installation
Nail-down installation is the most straightforward of all solid wood floor installation methods, and is only advised if you have a wood subfloor and plenty of time to focus on the work. When installing over plywood the direction you choose to lay the planks does not matter; however, if you are going to nail down a new floor over an existing floorboards you must face the planks of the new floor in the opposite direction of the floorboards, essentially making a criss-cross pattern. Solid wood floors are thicker; hence, they need to be nailed down in order to stay in place so consider hiring a nailer for large surfaces otherwise it might take couple of days. Typically when nailing down an 18mm-22mm solid floor you will want to use 2” long nails. Generally, people regard nail-down installation as being very exacting and time-consuming. It requires you to use specific tools and equipment, which can be hard for a DIY job. There is also a certain skill and level of knowledge needed for this type of installation. One suggestion with all nail down installations is to use 2mm poly foam underlay this helps to make sliding boards into place easier and it also reduces the potential squeaking noise your floor produces when walked on.
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