Laying flooring over existing floorboards involves preparing the subfloor, installing an underlayment if needed, and then installing your chosen flooring material. Here's a general overview of the process, assuming you are laying laminate flooring:
Steps for Laying Flooring Over Floorboards
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Prepare the Existing Floorboards:
- Inspect: Thoroughly inspect the existing floorboards. Look for loose boards, protruding nails, or screws, and any signs of damage, rot, or mold.
- Repair: Repair any damaged areas. Replace rotten boards entirely. Secure loose boards by screwing them down tightly. Countersink any protruding nails or screws.
- Clean: Clean the floor thoroughly. Sweep, vacuum, and then clean with a suitable cleaner to remove dust, debris, and grease.
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Leveling (If Necessary):
- Check for Unevenness: Use a long level (at least 6 feet) to check for any significant dips or humps in the floorboards. Minor imperfections (1/8" over 6 feet) might be acceptable depending on the flooring you choose.
- Address Unevenness:
- Small Dips: Fill small dips with a self-leveling compound or shims.
- High Spots: Sand down high spots.
- Significant Unevenness: If the floor is significantly uneven, consider installing a plywood underlayment to create a level surface.
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Install Underlayment (Optional but Recommended):
- Purpose: Underlayment provides a smoother surface for the new flooring, reduces noise transmission, and can add a layer of insulation. It also helps with minor imperfections that remain after leveling.
- Types: Choose an underlayment appropriate for your flooring type. Foam, cork, or combination underlayments are common.
- Installation: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the underlayment. Typically, this involves unrolling the underlayment and securing it with tape at the seams.
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Acclimation of New Flooring (If Applicable):
- Importance: Allow the new flooring to acclimate to the room's temperature and humidity for the recommended period (usually 48-72 hours). This prevents expansion and contraction issues after installation.
- Process: Store the flooring in the room where it will be installed, lying flat.
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Laying the New Flooring (Example: Laminate):
- Plan the Layout: Plan the layout to minimize waste and ensure a visually appealing result. Consider the direction of the planks and how they will align with existing features.
- First Row: Begin by laying the first row of flooring along a straight wall. Use spacers between the flooring and the wall to allow for expansion. With laminate, typically the tongue side of the plank faces the wall.
- Subsequent Rows: Interlock the planks according to the flooring manufacturer's instructions. Typically, this involves angling the planks and snapping them into place. Use a tapping block and hammer to gently tap the planks together for a tight fit.
- Cut Flooring as Needed: Use a saw (circular saw, jigsaw, or hand saw) to cut flooring to fit around obstacles and at the ends of rows.
- Continue: Continue laying rows until the entire floor is covered.
- Last Row: You will likely need to cut the planks in the last row to fit.
- Remove Spacers: Once the flooring is installed, remove the spacers from around the perimeter.
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Finishing:
- Install Baseboards or Quarter Round: Install baseboards or quarter round molding to cover the expansion gap around the perimeter of the room and provide a finished look.
- Install Transitions: Install transition strips where the new flooring meets other types of flooring.
Key Considerations
- Type of Flooring: The specific installation process will vary depending on the type of flooring you are using (e.g., laminate, engineered hardwood, vinyl plank). Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Subfloor Condition: The condition of the existing floorboards is crucial. A solid, level, and clean subfloor is essential for a successful installation.
- Expansion Gaps: Always leave expansion gaps around the perimeter of the room to allow for expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity.
- Tools: Gather the necessary tools before you start, including a saw, measuring tape, level, tapping block, hammer, spacers, and safety glasses.
- Building Codes: Check local building codes regarding flooring installation requirements.
