Having had a fire at the back end of last year, we had to go back to basics and this involved finding some cheap solid wood flooring, which left us thinking, what’s the best way to install it.
As you may know, there are several methods, all with their advantages and disadvantages, that are suitable for different needs. Luckily, Luxury Flooring & Furnishings are here with a handy guide on the three main installation methods for solid and engineered wood flooring.
Floating Floor
This is the simplest method. It simply involves laying the floor down on top of your subfloor with no additional materials or aids to do this. You may glue the tongue and groove joint together for stability if you wish, which is recommended, but not necessary if footfall is very low and the floor is fitted very tightly after acclimatisation. Mistakes can easily be corrected when floating your floor, and installation is quickest when using this method. This method is ideal if you plan on moving the floor to another home at some point, or you don’t have children or high footfall, and don’t move furniture around often – all of which normally cause movement. If you are anticipating floor movement, use one of the alternatives below.
Adhesive
Adhesive is a more secure way of laying your floor, and is therefore great for those who wish for extra safety, but less permanence than nailing. Adhesive prevents the floor from shifting under pressure from footfall or other movement, making it ideal if you have kids. You simply need to apply adhesive to the flooring planks and subfloor below to carry out this method, making it simple to carry out by yourself, but it does require extra time and attention compared to the floating method. Any mistakes can be corrected, but not as easily as a floating floor, so you will need to be confident before installing. Also, some floors cannot be used with certain adhesives, so be aware of what the manufacturer recommends. For example, if you wish to use underfloor heating (which is only recommended for engineered, not solid wood), then try a high temperature adhesive, or instead, the secret nailing method.
Secret Nailing
This may sound ambiguous to some, but secret nailing your floor is the most surprisingly unknown and underrated method. It involves simply hammering a nail into the tongue and groove joints and the subfloor below, ensuring that the floor stays in place for as long as the nails remain there. The nails will not be visible from the surface. This method is perfect for those who want maximum safety, for example if you have children or move furniture around a lot, or carry out any other activities that would otherwise affect the placement of the flooring. A disadvantage is that it is harder to correct mistakes, and will take longer to do so, but if you are an experienced DIY-er or opt to get a professional in, there should be no problems. If you are concerned about nails rusting over time, be assured that will correct underlay and avoiding installing the floor in moist areas, the nails should be fine – you should always avoid moist areas with wood flooring regardless, as warping or shrinking may occur.
Top tips to Installing your Wood Floor
