Engineered Floating Wood Flooring

Do you want to install a new floor on your own? Do you want flooring that can be installed with minimum hassles? Are you worried that installing a wooden floor will mean days of dirt and grime in the house? Well, engineered floating flooring is the solution to your problems.

Engineered flooring is less expensive than solid hardwood and is generally easier to maintain. It requires minimum on-site customization during installation, is easy to fix with the click and lock system and can be installed by a novice.

What is Engineered Flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring consists of a sandwich ply-boards with a veneer of good quality hard wood like Maple on top. Engineered hardwood is easy to install and is more resistant to humidity and other natural elements compared to solid hardwood flooring.

What is a floating floor?

A floating floor is installed without using glue, nails or other permanent fixing devices. It is laid directly over the existing floor with a layer of vapor barrier. A floating floor may be made of materials like engineered wood, cork, tiles or laminate.

Installing an engineered floating hardwood floor

• The floating floor can be installed directly above the existing floor without removing it. You will however need to consider the fact that the installation may raise the height of the floor.
• Ensure that the area of interest is level and perfectly clean. Remove any dirt and grime on the floor with a broom or a vacuum.
• Install a moisture barrier on the floor. The moisture barrier is made of foam like material and can easily be cut and shaped according to the dimensions of the floor. The moisture barrier can be simply cut with scissors or blade to fit the area of the floor.
• Determine how the pieces of the flooring lock together. Start placing the planks. Alternate the seams to get a stronger floor.
• Have a saw handy as you may need to cut a few pieces. Remember that the flooring need not fit closely to the wall. A little space between the wall and the flooring will ensure that the flooring has enough space for thermal expansion.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the boards together. This will ensure that the seams fit together properly.
• Reinstall the floor moldings and clean the floor to remove dirt and grime from the installation. While cleaning the floor make sure that you follow the cleaning instructions of your manufacturer. It is best not to use harsh cleaning agents on any type of hardwood flooring and engineered wood flooring is no different. Proper care and maintenance will extend the life of the floor and keep it in good condition for a long time.

When installed properly, a floating engineered wood floor performs almost as well as a solid hardwood floor. Engineered floating wood floors work well with in floor heat radiating systems as they are less resistant to damage from both heat and moisture. When installing an engineered hardwood floor you can also choose between a finished and a semi finished floor. The installation procedure described above is for a finished floor. If you choose to install a semi finished floor you will need to treat it with a coat of finish in addition to the installation. Installing a floating wood floor is easy but should you have any doubts you can depend on the professional floor installation services offered by Contempo Floor Coverings.

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