Where Can I Install Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
From high-traffic spots to moisture-prone areas, discover where you can install an engineered hardwood floor with LL Flooring.
Hardwood flooring can elevate your home, but knowing where you can install it can be a little confusing. When selecting the right type of hardwood flooring for your space, there are many factors to consider, including the type of hardwood, the installation method, and where the flooring will be installed.
Whether you're renovating your home or starting a new construction project, this guide will help you decide on the best hardwood flooring options for your space. How long does it take to install engineered hardwood floors? Should I use wood paneling for walls? We answer these questions and more.
Solid Hardwood Versus Engineered Hardwood
Solid and engineered hardwood boards are beautiful options for upgrading your space. Both come in many colors, styles, and textures, but their composition is different.
Solid hardwood boards are made from a single piece of wood throughout. On the other hand, engineered hardwood is made of a layer of natural wood and adhered to a plywood, lumber, fiberboard, or composite base. This flooring option blends the authentic look of natural boards with a unique construction to make a more dimensionally stable flooring option.
Considerations for Installing Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood is an exceptional option for high-traffic areas such as living rooms, dining rooms, entryways, and hallways. Some hardwood styles that we love for adding warmth and charm to a room and hold up well in these spaces include our range of exotic species.
Natural wood boards also perform well in calmer spaces such as bedrooms and nurseries. Try walnut or American cherry for adding comfort and beauty to these rooms.
One thing to note about solid hardwood is that temperature and humidity can impact its performance. Areas with excessive moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or basements, can cause the wood boards to swell and buckle; so we recommend thinking about the room's climate and moisture level before installing.
Considerations for Installing Engineered Flooring
Engineered hardwood allows for installation on any level of your home—from the basement to the attic, and anywhere in between. Looking for an option that performs against spills, drops, and constant foot traffic to and from the fridge? Our collection of water-resistant Aquaseal engineered hardwood can even withstand splash-zones that would usually be unsuitable for wood flooring.
Hardwood Installation FAQs
If you plan on installing hardwood boards yourself, we've supplied the do's and don'ts of installing hardwood flooring.
Can you install hardwood flooring in the basement?
Do not install solid hardwood flooring in a basement due to the potential of fluctuating moisture and humidity levels. Basements are often prone to moisture issues, such as flooding or high humidity, which can cause hardwood flooring to expand, warp, or buckle over time.
However, you can install engineered hardwood floors in your basement because they are more resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
How long does it take to install hardwood floors?
The amount of time it takes to install hardwood flooring will depend on various factors, such as the size of the space and the type of hardwood installed. If opting to do it yourself, your experience level will also impact the installation time.
Which engineered hardwood flooring installation tools Do You Need?
A few tools you'll need to install hardwood flooring include a jigsaw, pry bar, trowels, nails, and adhesive. Depending on the look you're going for, you may also need wood panels for walls. Decorative wood panels for walls can add texture to the room, but they aren't a requirement.
How long should engineered hardwood acclimate before installation?
The length of time that engineered hardwood should acclimate before installation can vary depending on several factors, including the type of wood, the humidity level and temperature of the installation site, and the Warranty, Installation, and Care guidelines.
Is it hard to install engineered hardwood floors?
The difficulty level will depend on your experience, but many will find that engineered hardwood installation is simple. All you have to do is float the board over a pad, nail it to a subfloor, or glue it to cement. Some even snap into place—this is the case for click-and-float hardwood flooring.
What goes under hardwood flooring?
Are you wondering what to put under hardwood floors? Fortunately, we can help. You'll need a barrier between your new floorboards and the subfloor. But this will depend on the installation method you're using.
For example, nailed flooring requires a silicone paper placement over plywood subfloor. If you're placing plywood over concrete, you will need to place a trowel-on barrier between the concrete and plywood. Whereas floating hardwood boards will require a plastic underlayment with moisture mitigation properties.
Explore Your Options at LL Flooring
Hardwood is a versatile option that can complement any area of your home. If you're ready to elevate your space, explore our hardwood floor selections. You can also gather inspiration from our website.
