Tips When Installing Engineered Timber Flooring
Timber flooring has the ability to not only transform the style of your home, but also add immense vale to your property. If you are looking for a type of wood flooring that is both affordable valuable, it is best to choose engineered timber. This type of flooring has a natural wood look, but it also designed to last. Before you begin the installation of engineered timber flooring within your home, it is important for you to be aware of tips that are designed to make the installation process simpler.
Prep
It is always important that you begin by prepping the existing subfloor before you install the new engineered timber flooring. The timber flooring will cover the subfloor, but the longevity and look of the flooring will be impacted by the condition of the subfloor. This means that you need to make sure that all debris has been removed from the subfloor. This includes all nails that are protruding out. If you use a water cleaning solution to scrub the subfloor, make sure that it has thoroughly dried before you continue with the installation process.
Tar Paper
It is also a good idea to install tar paper over the subfloor before you begin installing the planks of engineered timber. Tar paper is essential because it offers a barrier that will keep moisture from ruining the subfloor. The bottom of your engineered timber flooring will also be much less likely to rot away if you have tar paper installed. You can attach the tar paper to the subfloor using a staple gun.
Mix Planks
It is always a good idea to take a look at the engineered timber planks that you are going to be installing. When you are installing wood flooring of any type, it is natural to have some color variation. You just need to make sure that the color variation is evenly dispersed and looks most appealing. This can be done most effectively by mixing the engineered timber flooring planks from different boxes or packages to offer the most natural look.
Installation
When you begin installing the planks of engineered timber, you should be sure that the tongue side of the plank is facing the wall and the groove side is facing the room. Using a floor stapler to attach the engineered timber planks in place is key and staples should be added every few inches for a secure hold. It is possible to use a rubber mallet when you are trying to get the planks to slide into place before you staple them in.