It is easy to install a floating floor

If you have ever wanted to install a floating floor in your house, you are in luck; because it is not as difficult as it seems. Just follow these tips and you’ll have your floating floor installed in no time.

preparation is key
Preparation is very important in this project. You will need to measure the room carefully to get its measurements. Include closet and hallway floors in your measurements. Next, you need to choose a floor color that works with the overall scheme of your home. When you purchase your flooring, add an additional 20% to ensure you don’t run out of product at the end of your project. Sometimes the way the boards are cut will create waste where you didn’t expect it. If you are laying the flooring in an entire room, you will need a dovetail saw to trim the door frames. It’s also important to make sure the room is spotless before beginning the project. You don’t want debris trapped under your floor when it’s finished.

Start with the subfloor
The first layer of your installation is called the subfloor. All you do for this step is roll it out and trim it with a utility knife. As you lay out the subfloor, you can secure separate strips with duct tape, which can make handling easier.

now for the floor
Choose a wall to use as a starting point and place the spacers. Spacers leave enough room for the floor to expand and contract as temperatures vary. When laying the first boards, make sure the tongue part is facing out. Lay the entire first row and finish it with a spacer. Now insert the last piece of flooring in the row. You will probably need to trim it to fit. If your leftover piece is longer than eight inches, you can use it to start the next row. If not, start with a new piece of flooring. Start the new row with a spacer. Stagger section lengths as you lay down the rest of the pieces, and always start and end rows with spacers.

To hit or not to hit?
Some floating floor products require glue, so if yours requires glue, be sure to glue the groove of each floor board as you install it. As you install a section, you’ll want to protect the floor by using a block of wood while you hammer the board into place. Clean up any excess glue as you go and prepare to make the floor fit into the driveway by notching.

the last row
Follow this pattern for each row until you reach the last one. Then measure the space you have left and cut your final board to fit. You may need to use a pry bar, block, and hammer to fit the last row.

After installing the floor, let it dry for at least twelve hours. After it’s dry, simply replace your door sills and floor trim, and give yourself a big pat on the back.