Glue assist flooring installation

Engineered hardwood flooring installation using a combined glue assist and nailing method is particularly effective for boards wider than six inches. This approach ensures maximum stability and longevity for these broader planks, which can be more prone to movement and warping. Here’s a detailed description of the process:

1. Preparation: Before installation, the engineered hardwood planks, especially those over six inches wide, are acclimated in the room for at least 48 hours. This step is crucial for wider boards as it allows them to adjust to the room’s specific humidity and temperature, reducing the risk of future warping or gapping. The subfloor is also prepared by ensuring it’s clean, dry, level, and structurally sound.
2. Layout Planning: Measuring the room accurately is essential, especially with wider boards, to ensure a seamless fit. The layout is planned, typically with planks running parallel to the longest wall, and an expansion gap is accounted for around the room’s perimeter.
3. Glue Assist Method: A bead of wood flooring adhesive is applied either directly to the subfloor in a serpentine pattern or along the tongue side of each plank. This glue assist method provides an initial layer of stability and adhesion, especially important for wider boards that have more surface area and potential for movement.
4. Nailing: In addition to the glue, nailing is a crucial step for wide planks. A flooring nailer or stapler is used to secure the planks to the subfloor. Nails or staples are driven at a 45-degree angle through the tongue of the planks, ensuring they are hidden by subsequent rows. This nailing provides additional structural integrity, crucial for the wider boards.
5. Installation Technique: Care is taken to stagger the seams and maintain an even distribution of the wider planks. This staggering is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds to the floor’s overall structural stability.
6. Finishing Touches: Once all planks are laid, any excess glue is cleaned up immediately. Baseboards or molding are then installed to cover the expansion gaps, giving the room a finished look.
7. Post-Installation Care: Proper care and maintenance are advised to retain the beauty and durability of the flooring, especially considering the wider plank size, which may require more attention to prevent warping over time.

This installation method, combining glue assist and nailing, is ideal for engineered hardwood floors with planks wider than six inches, ensuring a stable, durable, and visually appealing finish.