A floating flooring is the one which does not require any nails or glue for its installation. A floating hardwood flooring can be installed over almost any other type of flooring except carpets. But if you have a wooden flooring or sub-flooring already in place, then you need to remove that to install this floor. Since Arizona floating wood floors are quiet easy to install, a lot of take it up as a do-it-yourselfer.
If you have also decided the same, read the following steps to understand the installation procedure.
1. Prerequisites
Before installing a floating hardwood floor, there are some things that must be kept in mind. First, if you are installing the flooring in a newly constructed house then make sure all the other work such as plumbing is done so that there are no changes of the flooring being spoiled by water. Second, install the flooring 48 hours after it has been delivered to your house so that the flooring can adjust to the environment of the house and does not expand or contract while installation. Also, for the ease of installation, remove the door from the area where the flooring is being installed.
2. Subfloor Preparation
Another important thing to be considered before installing the floor is that the subfloor is leveled and dry. Any moisture over the subfloor can be a hindrance while installing the flooring and can also impact its durability.
3. Installing the Flooring
In oder to start installing the flooring, first lay the foam underlayment over which the flooring will be installed. Make sure to cover the entire room with foam and trim the excess underlaying using a utility knife. Ensure that the underlayment does not have any seams while being installed. Seal it using a duct tape when finished.
1. Prerequisites
Before installing a floating hardwood floor, there are some things that must be kept in mind. First, if you are installing the flooring in a newly constructed house then make sure all the other work such as plumbing is done so that there are no changes of the flooring being spoiled by water. Second, install the flooring 48 hours after it has been delivered to your house so that the flooring can adjust to the environment of the house and does not expand or contract while installation. Also, for the ease of installation, remove the door from the area where the flooring is being installed.
2. Subfloor Preparation
Another important thing to be considered before installing the floor is that the subfloor is leveled and dry. Any moisture over the subfloor can be a hindrance while installing the flooring and can also impact its durability.
3. Installing the Flooring
In oder to start installing the flooring, first lay the foam underlayment over which the flooring will be installed. Make sure to cover the entire room with foam and trim the excess underlaying using a utility knife. Ensure that the underlayment does not have any seams while being installed. Seal it using a duct tape when finished.
Then, install space blockers on the starting wall and lay down your first plank with its grooved end facing the space blocker. Make sure to leave a little space from the wall and keep the tongue facing out.
For the left out space, take the measurement from the space blocker till the wall and mark it over the plank and cut it accordingly. Then place the plank in a way that the glue is applied to the grooved end and it meets the grooved end of the already installed flooring. Remove the excess glue using a damp cloth.
For the second row that you install, make sure to start with the leftover piece from the plank that you'd cut earlier as long as it is more than 8 inches long. Make sure to glue the grooved end properly and fix it besides the already installed row. Tap the free end of the plank with a hammer to ensure it sticks in place tightly. Again cut a part of the plank and fit it in the leftover gap.
Once the procedure is repeated for the entire room, you are almost done. Now you need to focus on the gap near the doorway. Measure the area near the doorstep molding to the space blocker. Cut a plank of its length and place it.
After you are satisfied with your handiwork, its time to remove the space blockers. Once removed, pull that plank away from the wall using a pry bar. Once done, allow the glue to to settle for 12 hours before setting a foot on the flooring again.
Come back and clean up any mess that you see around. Hope these floating hardwood floor installation steps prove useful to you.