With any installation job, it is important to have the proper equipment, sub-floor, and underlayment before even beginning to install any flooring. That being said, there are different types of wood flooring available, and as expected, they all require their own installation method.
Nailed - Pre-Finished Solid Hardwood Floors
Manufacturers of pre-finished solid hardwood floors will recommend that their floors be installed on a wood subfloor and nailed or stapled to the subfloor. Pre-finished hardwood floors come already finished - with colour and finish done by the manufacturer. All that is being done in your home is the installation. Proper installation is important to avoid buckling, which is often caused by humidity fluctuation.
Nailed - Unfinished Hardwood Floors (Finished on-site)
Unfinished hardwood, as the name suggests, is flooring that is installed without any colour or finish on it. It is then lightly sanded and stained (if desired) and varnished on-site, for a smooth surface. This method gives floors a more traditional look.
Glued Down - Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood floors that require to be glued down are used predominately on concrete slabs. This type of installation is highly prone to failure if not done properly because either the wrong adhesives are used or the incorrect amount of glue is applied.
Floating Floors - Laminated and Engineered
In contrast to other flooring, floating floors are neither nailed nor glued down. They are engineered with varying click or lock functions that keep the flooring together. This is the case for both laminate and engineered products. Laminate flooring comes from synthetic materials fused together by a lamination process. Engineered flooring on the other hand, is composed of multiple layers of wood, typically a solid hardwood surface and a plywood base.
Nailed - Pre-Finished Solid Hardwood Floors
Manufacturers of pre-finished solid hardwood floors will recommend that their floors be installed on a wood subfloor and nailed or stapled to the subfloor. Pre-finished hardwood floors come already finished - with colour and finish done by the manufacturer. All that is being done in your home is the installation. Proper installation is important to avoid buckling, which is often caused by humidity fluctuation.
Nailed - Unfinished Hardwood Floors (Finished on-site)
Unfinished hardwood, as the name suggests, is flooring that is installed without any colour or finish on it. It is then lightly sanded and stained (if desired) and varnished on-site, for a smooth surface. This method gives floors a more traditional look.
Glued Down - Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood floors that require to be glued down are used predominately on concrete slabs. This type of installation is highly prone to failure if not done properly because either the wrong adhesives are used or the incorrect amount of glue is applied.
Floating Floors - Laminated and Engineered
In contrast to other flooring, floating floors are neither nailed nor glued down. They are engineered with varying click or lock functions that keep the flooring together. This is the case for both laminate and engineered products. Laminate flooring comes from synthetic materials fused together by a lamination process. Engineered flooring on the other hand, is composed of multiple layers of wood, typically a solid hardwood surface and a plywood base.