There are four methods for installing a wood floor: nail down, staple down, glue down, and free-float. If cement is the base of your floor, then you can only use glue down and free-float. If you have plywood, then you can use any of the four choices. This article explains how to go about the installation of free-floating floors.
The four methods from easiest to hardest are:
Free-float: requires little to no experience, and will help you save money on the cost of installation. If you have no experience, this is the one recommended.
Glue down: recommended for people with some experience. This method is not that difficult if your sub-floor is flat or requires only a minimal amount of preparation.
Staple down: this method requires skill with power tools. You may be able to rent the stapler that is needed for this job.
Nail down: if you need to read this article to find out how to install a floor, this method is not for you. It requires experience and specific tools.
Free-Float Installations
Floating floors are installed as a panel system, rather than as individual strips of wood. Most panels come in 8" by 96" lengths, and fit together with a tongue-in-groove method. Follow the manufacturer's instructions during the entire installation or your warranty will not be eligible. The recommended adhesive is aliphatic resin glue as it is white, dries within an hour, and is
cured in 24 hours. Ensure that all excess glue is wiped away with a damp sponge as you proceed.
1. Allow the boards to sit in your house for 3 days before installing them so that they acclimatize to the moisture in your house and don't expand or contract too much once installed.
2. Lay down the manufacturer recommended underlayment on your sub-floor. Cut it with a utility knife to fit the room exactly. Products are usually made of foam or plastic or a combination.
3. Fit the first board into the corner. Leave a gap between the wall and flooring for the wood to expand. Use a wood spacer.
4. Fit the next board into the first - they should fit well with their special grooves.
5. Ensure they are fitted tightly and place a spacer near the joint.
6. Apply adhesive on the edge of the next board, but not in the groove unless specified by the manufacturer's instructions. Most floors only require adhesive on the edges and not on the ends.
7. Position the new board in place and hammer it together with the adjacent board to secure. To protect the flooring, place a scrap piece of wood in between the flooring and hammer. Alternatively, you could use a tapping block.
8. Repeat until you reach the last board. The last one may require cutting in order to fit.
9. To fit the last board in place, use scrap wood to protect the wall, and a pry bar to lower the last board into place.
This method of installing wood floors has several advantages.
oSave time: minimal sub-floor preparation is required
oFloating floors are stable and forgiving since the foam placed on the sub-floor hides imperfections
oIn comparison to other installation methods, floating floors allow for the natural expansion of wood without leaving gaps - the panels are glued together so the floor expands as a whole. This is particularly important in areas where temperature changes vary significantly between seasons
oBecause the hardwood flooring is not fastened directly on the sub-floor, creaking sounds will not be heard.
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