Are you planning to re-floor your living room and/or bedroom, and are considering which material to use for your floor surface? Why not consider floating wood for the consistency of your floor? It’s a product with many advantages!
- In the following article, we explain how to install floating wood on your floor.
With this step-by-step guide and clear explanations, you’ll be able to carry out your own renovations with the efficiency of a true construction professional!
Floating floor : Why is floating wood flooring a good idea?
Even if its consistency can be partly explained by its name, in concrete terms, what can we call driftwood?
What is driftwood?
The name driftwood comes from the fact that this material is not fixed directly to the floor. The wood planks are solidly connected to each other, giving an impression of lightness when we walk on them. Floating parquet is usually made of treated wood planks, but other types of wood can also be used.
While there are many possibilities when it comes to materials for renovating or building a floor, it can be very interesting to look at the advantages associated with using driftwood. The table below briefly outlines the various reasons why you should adopt this material for your surfaces!
The advantages of driftwood
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The benefits |
Explanations |
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The resistance |
The many layers of driftwood make it easy to withstand temperature changes and won’t warp with variations in heat. |
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Adaptability |
Again, thanks to its moisture resistance, driftwood can be used in rooms subject to major temperature changes, such as bathrooms and kitchens. |
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The cost |
Unlike other materials, driftwood costs will fluctuate within extremes. It’s possible to find products at a really attractive price, just as it’s possible to go upmarket. |
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Maintenance |
Driftwood’s many layers give it great stability, so it requires very little maintenance and any damage is very easy to repair. |
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Timeless |
Available in a wide variety of species, supported by a look that resembles real wood, it remains timeless and never goes out of fashion. Wood has always been an all-purpose product in our homes. |
The table above shows you the many advantages that should convince you to choose this product for your future floor. Now it’s time to explain the floating wood installation process.
Floating floor installation: How do you install a floating floor?
It’s fun to confirm your choice of material, but it’s important to know how to install this type of surface. If we don’t take the necessary precautions, we could damage our purchase before we’ve even installed it. Here are the different steps you need to follow to effectively install your floating wood floor:
1. Board preparation
Even before you buy the boards, make sure you have extra material in case any of the equipment you were planning to buy breaks down. Boards should be stored in the room in which they are to be installed, so that they can acclimatize to the temperature and flatten properly.
It’s also important to check the humidity level in the room. If it’s too high, the wood may expand, causing swelling on your floor.
2. Evaluate the frame and height according to the door or open passageway in the room
It’s important to place the first plank below door level and to draw a guide line that will serve as a reference point for the next planks. This will also ensure evenness between your rooms, preventing a raised or lowered effect as you move from one area of the house to another.
Your planks should be positioned perpendicular to the windows to conceal the joints. Also, take the time to check the cleanliness of your subfloor before installing the boards. Debris or dirt could cause a dent in the surface of your planks.
3. Laying the floating floor
The most concrete and time-consuming stage of your renovation: the actual installation of your floating floor. Take the time to check the instructions and recommendations for the material you’re using. There are many different types of floating floor, and some have special features that others may not.
The boards should then be installed in a rotating motion, allowing them to interlock with each other. Be careful, however, when installing your corners: it’s important to place separators between the wall and the planks, to prevent them from wearing away on contact with a different material.
4. Precautions for the final layer of flooring
Be sure to check the width of your vacant floor as you prepare to start your last row. It’s quite possible that you’ll have to cut the planks to fit between your existing planks and the divider on your wall.
The next step is to wash the newly installed surface with a suitable product. This will remove imperfections, residues and debris, and prevent the build-up of renovation waste between the floor’s cracks.
And that’s it! Your floating floor is installed! However, take note of the following tips, which may help you during the work:
- You may need to saw off the lower part of your door frame, in order to insert a floating floor board. This is something you need to check before installing the boards, as it will influence the level at which the boards are placed.
- If you live in a house heated by radiators, you'll probably need to provide some planks for the rest of the work. Measure around the pipe and/or radiator surrounds, and plan for boards that will be sawn to fit around the obstacle(s).
With these tips and precautions in mind, you’ll be able to install your floating wood floor with a snap of your fingers! Now it’s time to decide which materials you’d like to use!
Plancher flottant kanak: You can choose your materials before you go to the store!
Many specialty stores, such as Canac or BMR, carry a variety of floating wood floor models, but why not decide from the comfort of your own home? Indeed, with the help of our experts in the field of floor renovation and installation, you can not only choose your material, but also estimate the cost of your renovations! If you’d like to talk to a flooring professional, the steps are simple:
Simply fill in the form on the home page to get 3 quotes from pros in your area.
With advice from the best in the business, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and agree on the best course of action for your next renovation!
