How to lay flooring: discover 3 easy techniques

You dream of installing new flooring and giving your interior that classy touch that only wood can provide!

You have thought it through, placed your order, studied the cost of laying flooring, and now what?

Well, now you will have to lay that beautiful flooring. 

But not just any way, because you don't want to end up with warped wood! 

If you feel like a DIY enthusiast but don't know anything about laying flooring, don't worry!

We have asked our best handymen to explain how to easily install flooring, even if you are a beginner (or you can check out our floor renovation services). 

Here is what you will learn on this page:

• Why and how to prepare the floor before laying
• How to nail down flooring
• How to lay floating or laminate flooring
• How to glue down flooring

Compulsory step: prepare the floor before laying

Before starting to lay your flooring, you must prepare the floor.

Why?

It must be free of materials from the old covering, and you must obtain a flat surface suitable for laying flooring.

How to check the condition of your floor?

Check if it is level with a long ruler. 

If your floor is not flat, with bumpy or hollow areas, you will need to level it.

Practical tip: to remove old embedded glue traces, left by an old carpet for example, you can use a heat gun.

How to level the floor?

The operation involves applying a self-leveling compound to fill in the hollows and mask the defects. It is also possible to level on top of flooring or tiles, but the operation is more tedious because you have to take the joints into account. A good leveling compound is usually 5 mm thick.

You can find lots of videos online about that !

Technique 1: Nailing down hardwood flooring on battens

Nailing down hardwood flooring on wooden battens is one of the most technical methods. It is usually used for installing solid hardwood flooring.

How to nail down hardwood flooring?

Step 1: Placing the battens

Start by placing the first batten perpendicular to the intended direction of your flooring boards. 

The first composite batten should be level with the threshold. 

Add battens every 40 cm and secure them to the floor using cement or wooden shims screwed into the subfloor.

Step 2: Nailing the boards

To nail the boards onto the battens, drive the nail in at an angle. 

Ensure that the boards fit snugly together and use a nail punch to set the headless nail. 

Once all the boards are laid, nail the skirting boards, leaving a 1-2 mm gap with the flooring. 

This type of installation provides excellent sound insulation and optimal walking comfort.

Technique 2: Installing laminate or floating flooring

If you're wondering how to install floating flooring, you'll be pleased to know that it doesn't need to be glued to the floor. 

The floating method is mainly used for laminate flooring. 

Laminate flooring is not considered traditional hardwood because its top layer is not wood but resin. 

The floating installation method can also be used for engineered wood flooring.

How to install floating flooring?

To install floating flooring, start against the longest wall of the room and lay the boards lengthwise. 

Insert a wooden spacer every 30 cm between the wall and the first boards. This allows the wood to expand and contract.

At the end of the row, cut the board to the correct length and use the offcut to start the next row. 

Continue this way until the final row, where you can use a pry bar or a large screwdriver to fit the last boards. Finally, install the skirting boards after removing the spacers.

Technique 3: gluing down flooring

The glued-down installation technique is very similar to floating installation, except you need to glue the boards either to the floor or to each other. 

This method is suitable for all types of flooring (solid, engineered, laminate). 

It provides excellent acoustic insulation and does not require removing the existing floor. The flooring can be glued to a concrete slab or even to tiles.

How to Glue Down Flooring?

1. Start from the end of the room opposite the exit; once the last board is installed, you should be able to exit without walking on the flooring.
2. Spread adhesive on the floor over an area the length of a board and 1 metre wide. Refer to your adhesive's instructions for the amount to apply, typically between 500 and 750 g per m². Also, place an 8 mm spacer every 30 cm between the first wooden board and the wall.
3. Join each board together. If desired, you can glue the boards to each other by applying adhesive along the entire length of the groove of the board that will fit into the already installed board.
4. Using a rubber mallet, gently tap the newly placed board to ensure it adheres well to the others. To avoid damaging the wood, place a cloth where you are tapping. Finally, wipe off any adhesive residue with a damp cloth.

Tool List: for a perfect installation

Alright, let's finish with the list of tools that are recommended to achieve a perfect flooring :

• Self-levelling compound

• Heat gun

• Spirit level

• Straight edge

• Pencil

• 8 mm wooden spacers

• Rubber mallet

• Trowel

• Headless nails

• Nail punch

• Floor sander

• Flooring adhesive

• Floor sander with sandpaper

• Hand saw and jigsaw

• Vacuum cleaner

• Cloths

• Underlay

• Battens

Find a handyman near you to help