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Engineered wood flooring is in high demand, because it offers important advantages over solid wood. Compared to solid wood, engineered wood flooring is more eco-friendly, durable and easy to maintain. For those who are planning to get engineered wood flooring for their home or next construction project, it helps to know the basics of wood floor installation. To help with this, we have put together a beginner’s guide that lays out these topics in more detail.
When is the best time for installation? – Engineered wood floors should be installed after the drywall and other completion work, such as painting or plumbing, has been finished. If you are installing a wood floor on top of concrete, the concrete must be completely dry for at least 60 days before applying any wood.
Humidity level – Before installing engineered wood flooring, allow the wood to acclimatize to room temperature for at least 72 hours. The humidity level in the room where you are planning on installing hardwood floors should be between 35% and 55%. You can regulate the humidity level by using a humidifier or dehumidifier.
Subfloor Preparation – Good preparation of the subfloor is important in engineered wood floor installation. The subfloor must be structurally sound and level according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, with a moisture content of 12% or less for timber-based systems. If you are using a concrete subfloor, the floor should be tested for moisture to ensure that it is between 12-3% before installing flooring. Some meters have different scales—read instructions from meter manufacturer before making your measurement.
Expansion Gap – It is important to leave some space around the edges of a room when installing wooden flooring, including doorways, fireplaces and pipes. This will allow for expansion as temperature levels rise or fall. However, there is no need to worry about the gap on the floor because one can fill it with various types of flooring accessories.
Hardwood floor installation can be complicated, so hiring a professional is recommended. They have a wide selection of engineered wood floors for every need and preference—you won’t regret it!