Installing Floating Hardwood Floors - Page Three

Tips We Learned From This Job

While most long strip type floating floors of the glued variety are more difficult to Jamb saw install, we found this product easier because of the breakup of board lengths. By way of explanation, we encountered some shorter pieces or not the standard eight foot lengths. The latter can be more difficult to install as they can be bowed vertically. In effect you have a banana board. Weight sometimes has to be applied to both ends to engage the tongue and groove.

Three In One Underlayment Easier To Use

The three in one underlayment used on this job also made for easier goings. Two in one underlayments have one common problem; that being the application of tape. Some tape products cannot be ripped apart by hand but require a knife or scissors. By not having to reach for one more tool (remember that hammer and tapping block you left at the other end?) there are fewer times up and down. Additionally, some taping products cannot be removed if an error is made. Instead they can rip the padding, requiring patchwork to keep the moisture barrier intact.

Better Quality Pull Bars

The job was started with a lower quality pull bar as the better one was left on Pull bar being used floating floor another job. This did cause some frustration in getting the end joints tight; notably ones that were more than a few feet from the wall.

Manual Undercut Saw or Electric?

We know most of the big home improvement centers sell a manual undercut saw. Conversely, an electric jamb saw (shown above) cuts down on time and greatly improves the quality of the cutting when door casings are trimmed. These tools can also be rented in many locations.

Trim Installation. Floor Moved!

Keep a watchful eye on your expansion areas once wedges are removed when installing quarter round moldings. Some floors can move or accidentally get butted without knowing it. One example can be constant foot traffic in one direction without furniture that helps to keep the floor stationary. This also widens the expansion area at the other end.

Let's use an example. You've finished the floor and didn't have the time to install the trim. Several weeks pass and you're determined to get the job done. In that time, the floor has moved ever so slightly. Let's say one quarter of an inch. In starting the trim at one end it doesn't look unusual or out of the norm, but the other end has moved to the point the quarter round will not cover the gap. In your haste, half of the quarter round gets installed until you discover the big problem. Oh no. What do I do now? Two options are offered, though one may not work depending on the size of the job.

Larger Jobs Harder Than Small To Fix

Option number one. Find a few neighbors or friends. In tandem, try to push the floor back into place by jumping in the direction you want it to move. Wow, this is hard to describe! Incidentally, make sure they have sneakers on. Let's try that again. The floor cannot be pried back into place (quarter round has covered the gap at one end) with common methods or with the use of the pull bar, or pry bars. In effect we're pushing it back with our weight. Play with it, you should get the idea, but don't go overboard. Otherwise the other area may become gapped too far.

Option number two has already been discussed but here's one tip. Again, smaller areas will be easier to fix than larger due to the overall weight of the floor. For the smaller, the pull bar will work with ease by pounding the toe area of the tool. Larger will require a pry bar or two. Nonetheless, some protection is needed so the baseboard doesn't get dinged up. Simply use a piece of scrap against the base then pry back.

Go To: Trim Moldings. Appliances
Back To: Floating Floors Introduction

Related Pages:

• Locking Hardwood Floors