Installing floating hardwood floors, doing it all by yourself is not that hard or tedious as long as you read and stick to the manufacturers manual and instructions.

You will be told exactly what to do, and the method of preparation and installation you need to know to make a success of your task.

The first thing you must note is that different types of woods need different instructions as to how installations are made. These you will find in the included manuals.

PREPARATION

Preparation of the sub floor that will receive floating hardwood floors is crucial, and can make your task successful, or make it turn out a failure.

In any DIY project, read and assimilate instructions carefully and you are sure to end up with a well laid and beautiful floor finish.

As the hardwood strips are not being attached to the sub floor, a floating hardwood floor can be installed over almost any kind of floor base.

To prepare for this task, the following must be done.

• The sub floor must be very clean and dust free.
• The floor must be very even, without any humps, bumps, or crevices.
• Decide on the direction in which you intend to lay the floating hardwood floor .
• Make sure that the space between the wood and the sub floor is no more than three quarters of an inch, or,18mm.
• Gather the tools you'll need to complete the job together.

To install a floating hardwood floor by yourself (DIY), the general tools you require are:

• Woodworkers glue
• Spacers
• A hand saw, or a jigsaw
• A ruler
• Straps
• A hammer
• Chalk
• A tapping block
• A pull tool

You will need to check the manufacturers detailed instruction to know if any additional tools are required. All these tools can be bought at any home improvement or DIY stores.

Now test the floor to see if its even and level by laying a plank of wood at the edge (of the floor). If there is any space between the wood and the sub floor more than 3/4 of an inch, or 18mm, spread some self-levelling joint compound on the floor. When the compound  dries, your sub floor should be adequately level and you are ready to proceed.

The most important rows while installing floating hardwood floors, are the first 3 or 4 rows. If these rows are not straight from the start, you may as well know that as you proceed along, the lines become less and less straight,  and the installed planks will start to open up as you tap the next planks into position. The planks should be straight and the all the joints should fit snugly, using clamps and straps to keep all the connections tight.

Now start to attach the floating flooring system, by using an adhesive between the joints of the wood planks. To apply the glue,  run a bead of glue along the joint of the wood, then snap that piece into the first piece you've already set down. The glue dries in roughly  ten minutes, so you want to be clear on placement of the wood before placing the glue along the joints. Be careful, and do not to use excessive glue.

During installation, it is a great idea to measure at least 2 times, so you don’t end up with too many off-cuts or pieces that will become useless scraps.

While inserting each plank, fit the pieces together using the hammer and tap it gently with a tapping block. Knock very gently to close the gaps. It's better to knock often, but softly, than it is to knock a few times, and forcefully. There shouldn't be any gaps between planks while fitting together in floating hardwood floors.

Always drive in the joint directions that you are trying to close because once the pieces are set and dry, it will be virtually impossible to adjust the joints.

As you lay along, you must leave a bit of space around the perimeter of the room to allow for contraction and expansion that occurs occasionally during weather changes, because wood changes with time and temperature.

Towards the end of your task, the space left will need your pulling iron and the hammer to draw the planks together. For larger areas. It is suggested to allow as much expansion area as is possible.

After completing the installation of your floating hardwood floor, you must fit in your base moldings or skirting, transitions and trims to cover the spaces left at the edges for expansion. Then leave the floor to set as advised by the manufacturers instructions.

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