How to Install 7/16 Inch Engineered Flooring
- 1). Clean the subfloor by sweeping the room thoroughly. Remove any sticky spots from the floor with a wet cloth.
- 2). Unroll a foam underlayment onto the subfloor. Underlayments are used under floating floor to reduce noise when walking on the floor and cushion the planks to reduce wear and tear. The underlayment does not need to be nailed down, just make sure that it is flat before you start installing the floor over top of it.
- 3). Place the first plank in one corner of the room with the tongued side of the board facing into the room. Leave approximately 1/4 inch between the plank and the walls. This is necessary to accommodate for the slight swelling of the boards which will occur during temperature changes.
- 4). Place the second plank next to the first. They should slide together easily. Continue to lay boards until you have reached the opposite wall. You will need to use a pry bar to install the last plank in the row. Place the end of the pry bar between the plank and the wall and tap the opposite end of the pry bar with a hammer to slide the plank into place.
- 5). Install the second row by holding the grooved edge of a plank at a 45-degree angle to the tongue feature of the first row. Press the boards together and then push down on the plank at an angle. The planks will click together. This movement may require a little practice before you get it right.
- 6). Continue to install the flooring row by row until you have covered the entire room. Remember to leave 1/4 inch between the planks and all four walls. Cut planks to fit as necessary with a power miter saw.
- 7). Install base molding in the room to hide the small gap between the floor and the walls. Make sure that you nail the molding to the wall rather than the floor as the floor will expand and contract over time.
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