Want to enhance your home's beauty and boost its value? Upgrading your flooring is a simple yet impactful way to transform any space. The right flooring choice can elevate style, improve functionality, and even increase resale appeal.
It used to be that homeowners would consider installing carpet or linoleum in a home first. Now, there are so many options beyond those tired stand-bys. Engineered hardwood floor is one option that’s getting big reviews from your neighbors, and you can do a DIY install for a fraction of the price of a professional install.
Read on to learn more about engineered hardwood flooring and your installation options to add it to your home.
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
There are many types of flooring, like solid hardwood, but engineered hardwood floors have many benefits.
Engineered hardwood flooring is made by bonding a layer of solid hardwood on top of compressed layers of wood to prevent warping or cupping that you can experience with traditional solid hardwood. It tends to have a long life once installed. It’s similar to installing solid hardwoods and is often less expensive.
Engineered hardwood flooring is a good choice for heat and water resistance. It actually withstands moisture better than solid hardwood flooring.
Because the material generally costs less and you can do a DIY install, it can be a cost-saver compared to solid hardwood flooring.
How To Install Engineered Hardwood
Unlike traditional solid hardwood flooring, you usually have several options for the installation of engineered wood flooring.
There are several considerations for which method is best. It might also depend on the flooring you purchase and which method is right for you.
Knowing how to install engineered hardwood flooring will make your life much easier if you decide to attempt this project. Let’s take a closer look at the three options you have for your space.
Floating
One popular option for laying in engineered hardwoods is a floating floor. Basically, this means that the flooring pieces attach to each other but do not adhere to the surface underneath them with glue or nails.
Each of the pieces connects and hooks to each other with tongue and groove inserts and then floats on top of the subfloor, which is the flooring surface underneath. Floating floors should be installed over underlayment material that is fitted to the space.
There’s a perception that a floating floor is easier to install than other options. The benefit to a floating floor is that you can install it on top of an existing surface.
It’s good to remember that all wood shrinks and expands some depending on the weather and humidity of a space. If you’re doing a floating floor, you want to be mindful that it will adjust as one big piece.
This means you want to be careful that you give it some room at the edges for some small amount of expansion.
You also want to be careful not to connect and attach a floating floor to nailed flooring. This prevents the floating pieces from having anywhere to go.
Be sure to use a moisture barrier when going over concrete in your home with a floating installation. This will slow or eliminate the movement of moisture into your home. For the same reason we do not use a moisture barrier when floating over a wood subfloor, as the trapped water would cause rot over time. It is better that the moisture be allowed to escape and be removed by HVAC system in your home.
Also, when using adhesive in the joints to do your floating install I recommend that you install the first 2 rows of flooring planks the evening before, then quit for the night and let those 2 rows of flooring dry. That will keep them from pulling apart the next day as you push the next row of flooring against them.
Glue It Down
Another option for the installation of your engineered hardwood flooring is to use adhesive. It is the least fast method, but it’s the right choice for certain rooms.
If your home has a concrete subfloor that you want to install on, then glue might be the best option. It allows the engineered wood floor to be installed in one large area without the need for transition pieces.
If you have concerns about potential squeaking because of the subfloor, then using the glue method is best to eliminate these potential squeaks.
If you live in an area where there is lots of moisture and humidity, you might also consider adhesive. It keeps the wood more secure and prevents movement that might occur because of the conditions.
The odor of adhesive used to be a concern. Modern materials have greatly improved and are much less odorous and offensive.
Some modern glue material is also made to help with moisture resistance. If you have moisture concerns, be sure to investigate the best adhesive to help with moisture resistance.
Staple or Nail the Floor
Probably the most popular method of installation is to use a staple or nail method to secure the engineered wood to the subfloor. This would obviously not be an option if the subfloor below is concrete.
This method is also quicker than using glue.
Another advantage to this method is that it allows you to get the board pieces very tight together and then hold them there with the nail or staple. This method is typically what contractors like to use.
Using this secure method, you can also install large spaces and won’t need to add transition pieces in place.
There are some tools that would be helpful. More on this shortly.
Before You Begin Your Floor Installation, What to Consider
Now that you know some about flooring installation options, there are a few things to consider if you hope to do a DIY project.
These are the things a professional installer might consider before tackling your flooring installation. You should also work through these considerations to make sure your flooring job goes as smoothly as possible.
Let’s take a closer look.
Consider Your Space
Before you even begin your project, you want to take some time to consider the space in your home. Of course, you’ll need to have some careful measurements of the space and some extra for a margin of error that is sure to happen.
You want to consider what type of method is going to work the best for the room. What will you be putting the flooring on? Will you need to get underlayment for engineered flooring?
You also want to consider the best place to start. While it might be tempting to start in the easiest spot, don’t. You want to start laying your engineered wood flooring on the longest wall that allows you to install the boards perpendicular to the floor joists in your home. We want to start on the longest wall so that if the room (or our install) is out of square when we finish, it will not be as noticeable on a shorter wall.
Also, consider what doors are in the space and what trim you’ll need to navigate. Transition pieces such as Tmolds, reducers, and stairnoses can get expensive. Be sure to ask the retailer that sell you the engineered flooring if he has any discounted trims that are not exact matches.
Get the Right Install Tools
Resist the urge to attempt installation with a only hammer and luck on your side. This is not the kind of DIY project you want to do without the right tools.
While it might require you to invest in a few extra tools, the installation will be so much better and easier with the right tools.
You will need:
- Miter saw
- Table saw or circular saw
- Rubber mallet
- Awl
- Plastic tapping block
- Measuring tape
- Combination square
- Utility knife
Of course, you may need additional tools like a pneumatic nailer or stapler, or notched trowel, depending on the type of installation you select.
Underlayment
Most engineered hardwood floors will require an underlayment layer. The exception will be if you’re using the glue-down method of installation. If you’re gluing, you want your engineered hardwood floor to be glued directly to the floor under it.
For other installation methods, you will likely want an underlayment layer. Tar paper is a common choice for underlayment. It works as an additional layer to prevent moisture from getting to the flooring.
It will need to be cut and fitted to the room. In most cases, you staple it down to keep it secure during the flooring installation.
You will want to run the underlayment in the same direction you’re running your flooring.
Do You Need Stairs Done?
Installing engineered hardwood flooring on a set of steps can make them blend well with the room and look stylish, too. Having said that, doing stairs requires more planning and time than doing a floor installation. We talk about whether it’s worth it or not to install waterproof hardwood on stairs in this blog.
You want to consider the stairs before you begin your floor installation so the flooring in the room and the flooring on the stairs are going in the same direction.
You want to be very careful to prep your stairs for installation. This might include removing any protruding staples or nail heads and screwing down creaking boards. Make sure each step is level.
Then carefully cut your boards so they fit the step. Or simply buy stair treads.
What Method of Installation Will You Use?
Once you’ve considered all these methods and looked carefully at your room, you want to evaluate the space. You also want to consider your comfort level for DIY installation to decide which method is best for you.
Engineered hardwood flooring is a popular flooring option that will give your home a lovely upgrade. It can be a DIY installation with some forethought and careful planning.
Consider a New Engineered Hardwood Floor for Your Home
When you’re ready to add engineered hardwood floors to your home, you now know your options for installation. Consider your space and what will work best for your room.
To learn more about our selection of engineered hardwood flooring for future flooring projects, or to get your questions answered, contact us today for more information.
