How to lay your hardwood floor like a pro

1/Floor Preparation

Crucial step: Before starting the installation, ensure that your floor is clean, dry, and perfectly level. Any debris or unevenness could compromise the stability and final appearance of your hardwood floor.

Tip: Use a spirit level to check the flatness of your floor. If necessary, use a leveling compound to correct imperfections.

2/Acclimating the Wood

Before installation, it is essential to allow the wood to acclimate to the room's temperature and humidity.

Tip: Lay the floorboards flat in the room where they will be installed for 48 hours. This will help prevent any warping once the boards are installed.

3/Installing the Underlay

The underlay is essential for improving the sound and thermal insulation of your floor, as well as leveling small irregularities.

Good deals: Choose an underlay suitable for your type of floor. Some underlays are specially designed for heated floors or to enhance soundproofing.

4/Laying the Floorboards

Classic method: Start at one end of the room. Place expansion spacers along the walls to leave a gap of 8 to 10 mm. This gap allows the wood to expand without lifting.

Tips:

• Direction of installation: Lay the boards in the direction of the light for a harmonious visual effect.
• Useful tool: Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the boards into place without damaging them.

5/Cutting and Adjustments

At the ends of the rows, you will often need to cut the boards to fit. Use a jigsaw or a miter saw for precise cuts.

Tip: Keep the offcuts to start the next rows. This reduces waste and ensures better fitting of the boards.

6/Finishing Touches

Once all the boards are installed, remove the expansion spacers and install baseboards to cover the gaps left along the walls.

Good deals:

Finishing joints: Use a silicone joint in the same color as the floor to fill the gaps around obstacles (pipes, door frames).

Maintenance: Apply a coat of varnish or oil to protect your floor and give it a finished look.

Tips and Good Deals

• Choose Engineered Wood Flooring: It is often easier to install than solid wood and offers excellent dimensional stability.
• Tool Rental: If you don’t have the necessary tools, consider renting them. This will save you money while giving you access to quality equipment.
• Buy Extra: Plan for 10% more flooring to account for offcuts and cutting mistakes.
• Check for Promotions: DIY stores often offer discounts on flooring. Watch for sales and promotions to get the best price.