Wood flooring is a popular choice for DIY homeowners due to its durability, versatility, and ease of installation. Whether you’re looking to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home or add value to your property, SureReno is here to guide you through the process of installing wood flooring.
This comprehensive guide will provide step-by-step instructions, tips, and best practices to installing all types of floating tongue and groove flooring. The steps are the same whether you are using engineered, laminate, vinyl, bamboo, or cork.
Table of Contents
This article is just one in a series of wood flooring articles designed to help you through every step of your wood flooring project so you can start with confidence and love the end result. For a complete guide on installing wood flooring in your home, start to finish, check out our other articles here (depending on your wood flooring type):
DIY Renovator Workshops: Hardwood flooring
DIY Renovator Workshops: Engineered Wood flooring
DIY Renovator Workshops: Laminate flooring
DIY Renovator Workshops: Luxury Vinyl flooring
DIY Renovator Workshops: Bamboo flooring
Planning and Preparation
Measure and Calculate
Before you begin, measure your space accurately and then enter those dimensions into the SureReno app to calculate the amount of wood flooring you will need. The app will help you account for waste and cuts, ensuring you purchase the right amount of material.
Select Your Wood Flooring
SureReno can assist in selecting the perfect wood flooring for your project, considering factors such as type, wood species, finish, and plank width, outlined in our article: A Quick Guide On Types Of Flooring. The SureReno app also provides accurate localized budget calculations to help you stay within your financial plan.
Gather Your Tools and Materials
SureReno makes this quick and easy by providing a custom SureList with all the materials required for your specific wood flooring project, including accurate quantities and a list of all the tools you may require. Simply remove the items you do not need or already have and you will be ready to go shopping, which our SureCart will also help you with.
Remove Old Flooring
Remove your old flooring and clean the subfloor thoroughly. Check for any nails or staples and remove them. The SureReno app offers guidance on how to remove various types of old flooring efficiently.
Preparing the Subfloor
Prepare the Subfloor
Ensure your subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Repair any squeaky or uneven areas by adding floor screws along seams and over joists. If the seams of the sub-floor are still not level, even after adding screws, use a belt sander to make level.
Check the manufacture specifications for your flooring product on the acceptable tolerances for uneven areas .For significant areas that are uneven, check out our guide for How To Level An Uneven Subfloor In 10 Easy Steps.
If your flooring project going in a new house or addition which was exposed to the outdoor elements, we recommend that before beginning your wood floor installation to check the moisture levels of your subfloor by using a Moisture Meter.
Acclimate the Wood
Allow the wood flooring to acclimate to the room’s humidity and temperature for at least 48 hours before installation. Open the boxes and stack the planks in the room where they’ll be installed, leaving air space between them. This will help prevent expansion or contraction after installation.
For more information on the impact of not properly acclimating your flooring check this article from our friends from Moisture Meter Experts.
Layout Planning
Plan the layout of your flooring, considering factors like the direction of the planks and the starting point. Place additional attention to the most visible areas of the room, which are usually the doors and/or openings in the room.
If the room has doors or openings in which your wood planks are running perpendicular to the opening, consider installing a piece of wood flooring in the door or opening, groove facing into the room.
This allows the ‘tongue’ of the pieces being installed to be secured without using nails. This is also a good time to consider how your new wood flooring is transitioning into existing flooring.
Install Underlayment (If needed)
Most wood flooring installations require an underlayment for added cushioning or soundproofing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for underlayment installation.
We also recommend reading our guide on How To Choose Underlayment For Your Wood Floors.
Laying the Hardwood Flooring
Floating Installation
Most wood floors are installed as floating floors, in which the flooring is not secured to the subfloor. However, some situations may require the flooring being secured down to prevent sliding, moving or lifting of the flooring.
These situations include stair treads, landing, uneven subfloors (around drains) or areas where you do not have baseboard trim to hold the flooring down (along doors or shower stalls). Nails or staples require wood subfloors, where adhesives can be used on wood or concrete subfloor.
Start with a Straight Line
When laying your first row remember to leave an expansion gap between the walls and the planks but do not trust that the wall is straight. Instead, measure out and mark the equivalent of one board width plus 1⁄2” at each end of the room. Next, use the chalk line to create a straight line between your two marks. This will be your guide for the first row of boards.
Lay the First Row
Place the first plank along the starting line with the tongue side facing the wall. Use spacers to maintain the expansion gap. If using click-lock planks, angle the next plank into the previous one and press down to lock them together. Continue this process for the entire first row.
Cut the last board to Fit
The last board in each row will need to be cut to fit. Measure, remembering your expansion gap, and then cut using chop saw or skill saw. For more information on best practices and tools for cutting wood flooring, check out our article: Tips For Cutting Wood Flooring
Continue Installing the Flooring
Continue adding rows of planks in the same way, working your way across the room, board by board. Remember to stagger the end joints by at least 6 inches to create a more natural look. Use a mallet and tapping block to ensure the boards fit tightly together. Stagger the end joints of adjacent rows by at least 6 inches to create a natural appearance and add stability.
Use a tapping block and rubber mallet to gently tap the planks into place, ensuring tight seams without damaging the edges. Note that the board will not lock in fully unless the click-lock joint is properly inserted for the full length of the board. Smaller pieces of the wood flooring make great tapping blocks as they prevent damage to the Click-lock edge.
Fit Around Obstacles
Measure and cut planks to fit around doorways, vents, and other obstacles using a jigsaw. You do not need the half inch expansion space when installing between the door jabs. If the door casing has not been removed, you will need to trim the bottom using a side-cut saw to allow the flooring to fit under the casing.
Fit the Last Row
The last row of boards may need to be cut or ripped, lengthwise, using a table saw or skill saw, to allow it to fit. Use a pry bar to snugly fit the last row against the spacers, ensuring a tight fit. Finally, be sure to remove the spacers and cover the expansion gap with baseboard or quarter-round molding.
SureReno Helpful Hints
Installing ½” foam backer in the expansions space between the wall and the flooring, before installing the baseboards, will help reduce gaps in your flooring while still allowing the flooring to expand and contract.
Finishing Touches
Install Trim and Molding
Remove the spacers and install baseboards or quarter round trim to cover the expansion gaps. Nail the trim to the wall, not the floor, to allow for floor movement.
- For more details, check out our article on Finishing Touches For Your New Wood Flooring
Clean and Inspect
Thoroughly clean the floor to remove any dust and debris. Inspect the installation for any gaps or loose boards and address them accordingly.
Maintenance
As always, we recommend carefully reviewing the instructions from the manufacturer. For more detailed care information read our suggestions on Wood Floor Care and Maintenance.
Conclusion - Enjoy Your New Wood Floor
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed your Wood floor. Use the SureReno app for maintenance tips to keep your floor looking beautiful for years to come.
By following these steps and utilizing the SureReno app, you can confidently complete your wood flooring project, knowing you have a reliable source of knowledge and tools at your fingertips. Transform your space with beautiful, wood floors and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
Once again, remember to take lots of pictures of your finished project to share with your family and friends. For more detailed guides and tips on home renovation projects, visit SureReno’s extensive library of articles and resources.
Share this article:
