Installing new wood flooring involves a series of steps, starting with preparation and ending with the final touches. You'll need to decide on the installation method, get your subfloor ready, gather materials and tools, and then proceed with laying and finishing the floorboards.
Here's a breakdown of the process based on common practices and the provided steps:
Installing new wood flooring can significantly enhance the beauty and value of your home. The process requires careful planning and execution.
STEP 1: Choose Your Installation Type
The first crucial decision is determining the installation method. The two primary types mentioned are click or glued-down.
- Click (or Floating) Installation: This method is often preferred for its ease and speed. Boards click together without the need for adhesive or nails. An underlayment is typically required. It's suitable for various subfloors and is less susceptible to moisture expansion and contraction issues compared to glue-down.
- Glued-Down Installation: This method involves adhering the wood boards directly to the subfloor using a strong adhesive. It provides a very solid feel underfoot and can help dampen sound. It requires a very clean, level, and dry subfloor.
Your choice depends on the type of wood flooring, the subfloor material, and your personal preference or skill level.
STEP 2: Prepare Your Subfloor
Proper subfloor preparation is vital for a successful wood flooring installation. This step involves ensuring the subfloor is:
- Clean: Free of dust, debris, grease, or any other contaminants.
- Level: Any unevenness greater than 1/8 inch over 6 feet should typically be addressed by sanding high spots or filling low spots.
- Dry: Moisture is an enemy of wood flooring. Test for moisture content to ensure it's within acceptable limits for your chosen flooring and installation method.
- Structurally Sound: The subfloor must be stable and free from damage or movement.
Failing to adequately prepare the subfloor can lead to squeaks, gaps, buckling, or adhesive failures.
STEP 3: Choose Your Underlay or Glue
Based on your chosen installation type, you'll need the appropriate material to place between the subfloor and the wood flooring.
- Underlay (for click/floating): Provides cushioning, thermal insulation, and soundproofing. Some underlays also have a built-in moisture barrier. Select an underlay suitable for wood flooring.
- Glue (for glued-down): Choose an adhesive specifically designed for wood flooring and compatible with your subfloor material. Different adhesives offer varying levels of flexibility, moisture resistance, and application methods.
STEP 4: Collect Your Tools
Gathering all necessary tools before starting saves time and ensures a smoother process. Common tools include:
- Measuring tape and pencil
- Saw (circular saw, miter saw, or jigsaw for cutting boards)
- Utility knife (for cutting underlay)
- Tapping block and rubber mallet (for click systems)
- Spacers (to maintain expansion gap around perimeter)
- Chalk line
- Safety glasses and ear protection
- Vacuum or broom
For glued-down installations, you'll also need a notched trowel specific to your adhesive.
STEP 5: Install Your Underlay
If you chose a floating installation, the next step is to lay down the underlayment.
- Roll out the underlay across the subfloor.
- Trim it to fit the room, ensuring it lies flat.
- Tape seams together if required by the manufacturer to create a continuous barrier, especially for moisture protection.
For glued-down installations, this step is skipped as the glue is applied directly to the subfloor.
STEP 6: Laying Your Wooden Floor
This is where the floor starts to take shape. Begin laying the first row of boards, typically parallel to the longest wall, leaving an expansion gap using spacers.
- For click systems, interlock the boards end-to-end and then click the subsequent rows into the previous one.
- For glued-down, spread the adhesive using the appropriate trowel and lay the boards into the wet glue, ensuring good contact.
Work your way across the room, staggering the end joints of the boards for structural stability and aesthetic appeal.
STEP 7: Saw Your Wooden Floor
As you lay the floor, you'll need to cut boards to fit:
- At the end of rows
- Around obstacles (door frames, vents, pipes)
- For the final row
Accurately measure and mark the boards before cutting. Use the appropriate saw for clean, precise cuts. Cut boards face up when using a miter or circular saw, and face down with a jigsaw to minimize chipping on the visible surface.
STEP 8: Finish Your Wooden Floor in Style
Once all the floorboards are laid, the final step is to add the finishing touches and clean up.
- Remove all spacers around the perimeter.
- Install baseboards or quarter round molding along the walls. This covers the expansion gap you left and provides a neat transition from the floor to the wall.
- Clean the new floor according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Consider any final treatments if your flooring requires it (though most modern wood floors come pre-finished).
Following these steps carefully will help you achieve a beautiful and durable new wood floor.
