If you’re in the process of planning a wood flooring project, you’re certain to have done your homework when it comes to choosing the right flooring for your preferences and the right supplier for your budget. Once you’ve narrowed down the best flooring option and the right supplier, it’s time to get down to the detail. The accessories you’ll need when fitting your wood floor will depend to a large extent on whether you’ve decided to do the fitting on a DIY basis or if you plan to bring in the professionals.
If you’ve decided to go ahead on a DIY basis then the accessories you’ll need will fall into a couple of different categories. First, it’s possible that you’ll need to hire some tools for the fitting itself, and secondly you’ll need to order accessories for the finishing of your flooring.
For the actual fitting of your floor, the list of tools you’ll need are detailed in our article “Recommended hand tools for fitting wood flooring”, but in broad terms, you’re going to need the right type of saw; an appropriate hammer; possibly a moisture meter; a nailer or stapler and a host of scrapers and trowels (if you’re fitting your new wood floor over a concrete sub floor). While you may well already have some of these tools, or be able to borrow them from friends or members of your family, it’s important before starting the job that you have all the tools you need to hand. There are few things worse than getting a job started only to discover you don’t have the right tools to get it finished!
When it comes to the finishing of your wood floor fitting job, you’ll need to plan this in detail to make sure you order the right accessories to give you the professional finish you want and deserve. Here are a few things to look out for, and the accessories you’ll need to create the right finish:
Do you have two different flooring surfaces that are at the same level? If so, you’ll need to order a T threshold to make the join seamless.
Will you need to join two surfaces that are at different levels? In this case, you’ll need a reducer.
Are you fitting engineered wood flooring to stairs? If so, you should consider ordering stair nosing to get a nice neat finish.
Do you want a really professional-looking finish between your new floor and your skirting board? In this instance, a scotia bead is your answer.
Do you have radiators in the room that mean that you’ll need to cut holes for the pipes? If so, then pipe ferrules will give you a tidy solution.
Are there awkward elements to your room, such as fireplaces or nooks and crannies where you’ll need to make allowances for expansion and contraction of your new floor? If so, then the likes of L-shapes, flatbeads or cover strips will prove invaluable.
If you’re planning a professional fitter as part of your project, of course you’ll be able to forget about most of this detail and you’ll just need to equip yourself with an appropriate cleaning product and maybe some oil for your new floor!
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FAQ
What tools will I need for fitting wood flooring on a DIY basis?
For fitting wood flooring, you may need to hire some tools such as the right type of saw, an appropriate hammer, a moisture meter, a nailer or stapler, and a host of scrapers and trowels if you’re fitting your new wood floor over a concrete sub floor.
What are the necessary accessories for finishing a wood floor fitting job?
For the finishing of your wood floor, you may need T thresholds for joining two different flooring surfaces at the same level, reducers for surfaces at different levels, stair nosing for stairs, scotia bead for a neat finish between your new floor and your skirting board, pipe ferrules for the radiator pipes, and L-shapes, flatbeads or cover strips for awkward room elements like fireplaces or nooks and crannies.
What is a T threshold used for in wood flooring?
A T threshold is used to seamlessly join two different flooring surfaces that are at the same level.
What is the purpose of a reducer in wood flooring?
A reducer is used to join two surfaces that are at different levels, creating a smooth transition.
How can I ensure a professional-looking finish between my new floor and the skirting board?
Using a scotia bead can provide a really professional-looking finish between your new floor and your skirting board.