Wood Flooring Installation Methods
You've chosen the type of floor you want. You've even chosen the type of finish you want. Now, it's time to install your new floor. But, first, you have to make one last decision. There are four hardwood floor installation methods from which to choose:
Nailing down installation method
If you decide to nail your hardwood floor, you will need some specialist equipment. A nail gun that has been specifically designed to be used to install wooden floors, for example: Porta-nailer. The nail gun will use flat nails that have teeth on either edge which grip into the flooring plank and subfloor tightly. Please do not use a Paslode nail gun or a Bradnailer as they do not have the correct toothed nails. You can only nail your floor if you are installing over a wooden subfloor (not chipboard or concrete), as the nails need something to grip into. The nails will go into the tongued edge of the flooring plank at a 45-degree angle, so will be hidden from sight. This is why it is sometimes called ‘secret nailing’.
Screwing down installation method
Screwing your hardwood floor is very similar to nailing it. You must have wooden floor boards or plywood so that the screw has something to attach to securely. Always use screws designed specifically for floor fitting, such as Tongue-Tite screws. These will need to be screwed into the tongued edge of the flooring at a 45-degree angle. This means that they will not be visible once your floor has been installed.
Glue down installation method
As with any installation method, the condition and preparation of the sub-floor is absolutely key to sound, stable and successful installation using the glue down method. The glue down method, as the name suggests, involves using specialist adhesives or bonding agents to fix the boards to the sub-floor. This method can be used over either wooden sub-floors or concrete sub-floors however, if it is to be used over a concrete/cement sub-floor, it will be necessary to first lay a two part damp proof membrane. This not only prevents any moisture getting into your flooring from the sub-floor but also provides a suitable surface for the adhesive to bond to. Always be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations as to which adhesive to use as there are different kinds for different applications. The glue down method is suitable for both engineered wood floors and solid wood floors but is not recommended for laminate wood floors.
Floating installation method
The floating installation method is the easiest of all the methods and the most suitable if you are a keen DIYer and thinking of doing it yourself though you will still need to be able to measure and cut accurately. Instead of fixing the flooring to the sub-floor as with the other methods, the boards are fixed to each other. This is achieved either by using a PVA adhesive in the groove of a tongue and grooved system or, in the case of click-lock systems of which there are a click-lock systems, the boards lock together without the need for additional adhesive. This means that when the floor expands, usually during the summer months, the whole floor expands as one unit. An expansion gap is left around the perimeter of the room plus any other immovable objects to account for this as is the case with any of the installation methods. The floating method is most ideally suited to laminate flooring though can also be successfully employed with engineered wood floors. It is not a recommended method for installing a solid hardwood floor.
Nailing down installation method
If you decide to nail your hardwood floor, you will need some specialist equipment. A nail gun that has been specifically designed to be used to install wooden floors, for example: Porta-nailer. The nail gun will use flat nails that have teeth on either edge which grip into the flooring plank and subfloor tightly. Please do not use a Paslode nail gun or a Bradnailer as they do not have the correct toothed nails. You can only nail your floor if you are installing over a wooden subfloor (not chipboard or concrete), as the nails need something to grip into. The nails will go into the tongued edge of the flooring plank at a 45-degree angle, so will be hidden from sight. This is why it is sometimes called ‘secret nailing’.
Screwing down installation method
Screwing your hardwood floor is very similar to nailing it. You must have wooden floor boards or plywood so that the screw has something to attach to securely. Always use screws designed specifically for floor fitting, such as Tongue-Tite screws. These will need to be screwed into the tongued edge of the flooring at a 45-degree angle. This means that they will not be visible once your floor has been installed.
Glue down installation method
As with any installation method, the condition and preparation of the sub-floor is absolutely key to sound, stable and successful installation using the glue down method. The glue down method, as the name suggests, involves using specialist adhesives or bonding agents to fix the boards to the sub-floor. This method can be used over either wooden sub-floors or concrete sub-floors however, if it is to be used over a concrete/cement sub-floor, it will be necessary to first lay a two part damp proof membrane. This not only prevents any moisture getting into your flooring from the sub-floor but also provides a suitable surface for the adhesive to bond to. Always be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations as to which adhesive to use as there are different kinds for different applications. The glue down method is suitable for both engineered wood floors and solid wood floors but is not recommended for laminate wood floors.
Floating installation method
The floating installation method is the easiest of all the methods and the most suitable if you are a keen DIYer and thinking of doing it yourself though you will still need to be able to measure and cut accurately. Instead of fixing the flooring to the sub-floor as with the other methods, the boards are fixed to each other. This is achieved either by using a PVA adhesive in the groove of a tongue and grooved system or, in the case of click-lock systems of which there are a click-lock systems, the boards lock together without the need for additional adhesive. This means that when the floor expands, usually during the summer months, the whole floor expands as one unit. An expansion gap is left around the perimeter of the room plus any other immovable objects to account for this as is the case with any of the installation methods. The floating method is most ideally suited to laminate flooring though can also be successfully employed with engineered wood floors. It is not a recommended method for installing a solid hardwood floor.
Wood Flooring & Parquet Flooring Installation Guidance
We must warn you that installing wooden floors or parquet flooring requires significant skill, experience, and attention to detail. If not done correctly, it can lead to unsightly gaps, uneven edges, or even damage to the flooring.
That being said, here are the step-by-step guidance for installing chevron parquet flooring, herringbone parquet flooring and engineered wood flooring:
That being said, here are the step-by-step guidance for installing chevron parquet flooring, herringbone parquet flooring and engineered wood flooring: