zepper
Well-Known Member
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- Oct 13, 2009
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Hey guys,
I'm about to install an engineered hardwood floor in our home's main level. It's a tongue-in-groove floating floor (boards glued to each other) with foam underlayment over a wood sub-floor.
The thing is, it's a pretty open plan, and I'm not sure where to start so everything will line up:
I'm flooring the areas in white, boards going horizontally. (This isn't to scale, BTW.)
It's important that the boards be aligned with the upper hall wall and adjacent stairwell, which are in the middle. For that reason, should I install the first row along the hall wall, then work my way out to the front and back of the house? If so, how can I anchor the first row, going across the open area, so more rows can be tapped in against it?
Also, the floor maker says the boards should be attached by turning a board upside-down, running a bead of glue along the top of its groove, then turning it right-side up so the adhesive spreads more evenly as you tap it in against the previous board's tongue. But if I start in the middle of the house, I'll be able to do that with only half the boards, as the other half will have their grooves facing me instead of their tongues.
For that reason, I wouldn't mind starting in the front areas—lower hall, foyer, family room—and working toward the back. But how could I be sure the rows were aligned with each other when they met (and were aligned with the upper hall)?
Thanks very much for your advice!
I'm about to install an engineered hardwood floor in our home's main level. It's a tongue-in-groove floating floor (boards glued to each other) with foam underlayment over a wood sub-floor.
The thing is, it's a pretty open plan, and I'm not sure where to start so everything will line up:
I'm flooring the areas in white, boards going horizontally. (This isn't to scale, BTW.)
It's important that the boards be aligned with the upper hall wall and adjacent stairwell, which are in the middle. For that reason, should I install the first row along the hall wall, then work my way out to the front and back of the house? If so, how can I anchor the first row, going across the open area, so more rows can be tapped in against it?
Also, the floor maker says the boards should be attached by turning a board upside-down, running a bead of glue along the top of its groove, then turning it right-side up so the adhesive spreads more evenly as you tap it in against the previous board's tongue. But if I start in the middle of the house, I'll be able to do that with only half the boards, as the other half will have their grooves facing me instead of their tongues.
For that reason, I wouldn't mind starting in the front areas—lower hall, foyer, family room—and working toward the back. But how could I be sure the rows were aligned with each other when they met (and were aligned with the upper hall)?
Thanks very much for your advice!
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