In Kelowna, we sell a lot of engineered hardwood floors because of the dry climate. There are three installation methods. One is to float the floor over an underlayment cushion. Most condo strata councils will have to be floated to keep your strata happy with the acoustics for the floor below. Most strata councils require an approval on the sound block cushion. You will also need to order transitions to meet the tile floor in the bathroom and around fireplaces.

Nailing Or Stapling?

If you can choose to nail or staple the hardwood down to the plywood subfloor the installer will put some construction paper between the plywood and the new flooring. This paper is there to reduce a rubbing noise between the plywood and hardwood. In many cases, the hardwood flooring is cut tight to the edge of the tile flooring without any overlap transition mouldings.

Glue Method

Hardwood can be glued to the sub-floor. Both glue and nail down installations are very stable. There is no movement in the floor because there is no cushion between the two layers. In glue down installations, the hardwood flooring is cut tight to the edge of the tile flooring without any overlap transition mouldings.

Preparation Is Most Important

The floor preparation for all three methods is important if you want a quiet floor. The noise or squeaks come from rubbing. If the sub-floor is not flat and or level enough than the hardwood tongues (joins) will rub or move. The high spots in the sub-floor will need to be ground down and the low spots filled. There cannot be more than 3/16th inch height difference over an eight feet area of the sub-floor.

Questions about hardwood flooring or installation please call, our consultants are here to help. If you know anyone thinking of hardwood floors please share this information with them.