Useful Tips for Installing Engineered Wood Flooring

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Not having worked with engineered flooring much over the years, I decided to take on the bedroom floor installation for a customer for whom I had just completed the adjoining total bathroom remodel. I was surprised by some things I learned, but overall I found it to be more labor intensive than I thought and yet a project well within the reach of many homeowners with some basic skills. Here I share my tips and frustrations along ultimately a very positive impression of the product I installed and the overall look at completion. Hope you find it helpful!

[@DaphneGaines]

After several hours trying to get my hardwood floors to stay connected, I found your video and I'm renewed in my faith that I will be able to complete our guest room tomorrow without throwing a hammer through the wall. Your technique for clicking the pieces together is a game changer! Thank you!!!!!

[@RustyDobbs]

Yes, Daphne, putting that flooring together can certainly make you want to throw anything within reach! I hope you were able to get yours installed ok! It's not too bad once you get a technique figured out, but I still would not want to do it everyday!

[@muffinsmcgee9248]

That was very satisfying to watch. I will never install this type of floor myself - but I just enjoyed listening & watching. Thank you :)

[@RustyDobbs]

Glad you enjoyed it, Muffins! Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@jennymair7708]

Extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks for watching, Jenny! Glad it was helpful!

[@vanessawebber235]

Oh my. We're in our early 60's and taking on a 1600 sq ft hardwood floor project. I'm beginning to rethink this decision. Great job, btw!!

[@RustyDobbs]

Yes, Vanessa, you are correct that that 1600 sq ft of flooring is a challenge at any age. I forget from project to project how much of my body I use when working on my hands and knees for a couple of days! I think its all the getting up and down! 🙄

[@marioh5634]

The floor looked gorgeous in the end. It does match well with the walls too... Nice!

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks, Mario! Yeah, I think the owner did a great job with all her color selections.

[@kevinmcclintock9416]

Amazing work & loved the humour

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks, Kevin! I appreciate you watching!

[@aljazairy]

Great job! Thank you for sharing.

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks for watching, Salim! I appreciate it!

[@theothermarshal]

Like you I never thought I had need for an oscillating saw until a friend helped me install drywall on a job and used his for some cuts. As soon as I could I purchased one for myself and have used it on so many jobs I wonder how I managed before I purchased it. That said... man, I wish they made more durable blades because those things aren't cheap. Thanks again for sharing such great content!

[@RustyDobbs]

I first bought a cheap $20 corded multitool because I thought I had a need for it for one specific cut I needed to make, Marshal. It worked so well for that purpose that I realized what I had been missing out on. And, yes, it is fantastic for making sheetrock cuts. I bought the Dewalt I have now and never go anywhere without it. If only the blades were about half the price they are, it would be perfect! I always feel like I’m getting gouged! Thanks Marshal, I appreciate you watching as always!

[@antonedits_mov]

I don’t even do any of the work you do but it’s really interesting. Keep up the videos! I’m gonna show my support and watch all of them.

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks for your very kind comments, Anton! I appreciate you watching and hope you have some creative area of your life that you enjoy doing, even if it's not the kind of stuff I do! You are never too young to start learning something new, nor are you really too old to begin learning new things either! Thanks again!

[@MrCakers]

I've installed so much of this type of flooring. Everything you talk about brings back some very sweaty memories lol. There is quite a bit of small annoying installation and planning details that can stack up to make for a very bad day if not planned correctly.

[@RustyDobbs]

Yeah, John, having not done that much of it, I figured out that if you are not thinking ahead and planning correctly, like you say, you could certainly create a lot of headaches and extra work for yourself.

[@cheneybros]

@@RustyDobbs @John - so, you don't need any staples in this type of flooring?

[@dannywilsher4165]

Thanks for all the tips on this flooring. I have used this product a couple of times and it produces really appealing results. And you made it look awesome. Your description of the aches and pain of getting down to install brings back memories. I think the number one tip I learned is try to avoid doing flooring in the future. But I have lots of flooring coming up soon in my house.... Hope all is well in NM!!!

[@RustyDobbs]

I'm with you on the number one tip, Danny! Although if you have a lot of it coming up, you might start getting used to it!

[@dannywilsher4165]

@@RustyDobbs LOL... Never get used to it but I always told my kids"Do what you got to do till you ain't gotta do it no more!!!"

[@bobhulbert4015]

Brings "back" memories? Did your back recover?

[@1234tellmewhatyourlookingfor]

I did a repair,replacing some boards down a wall. One end joint was stubborn. So I had my side joint in place where it would slide,pulled hard holding my left board up with my hand, it slid like a rocket, and caught my index finger between the two boards. Well between stopping the bleeding and cleaning up blood at same time,I will remember to bring my pulling tool next time.

[@RustyDobbs]

Yeah, that’s another thing! If you get in a position where you get a finger pinched between two pieces, which can easily happen, you quickly figure out a way to avoid that afterwards! But, I didn’t get any splinters like I would have if it were real wood! This material has it's own personality and quirks, no doubt!

[@TheLegend-nx3mm]

Hey Rusty, hope you and your family and work colleagues are well. I have layed a few of these laminated floors. I totally agree with you, in that I'm 58 and I'm absolutely slaughtered after fitting a room out. It's a matter of setting out right , patients and I have always maintained when I fit this floor remove the base board or skirting in the UK. It covers the small mm gap around the outer edge and sits nice and snug. I think it's the best way. And moulding looks awful. Lovely awesome job Rusty. I urge all young people to have a go fitting this type of floor. Kind regards Danny uk 🇬🇧❤🇺🇸🙂🙂👍👍👌

[@RustyDobbs]

Hey Danny! I agree with you on all your points. I, too, felt “absolutely slaughtered after fitting” that room out! We, Americans, do not have near as much fun with the English language as you do! Always enjoy hearing from you!

[@anotherbutt4chair56]

Not sure the pro was going to do as careful a job of removing old carpet and every staple possible, so I said I’ll save myself 3000 bux, I am in my almost mid 40s still good shape, But, I felt the pain! You are right. Going up to down, shifting body, hammering away constantly, and very thing was sore! I decided to take my time doing about 600 sq ft. I had to redo parts over again and it took me 4 months , but actually just removed some faulty pieces the other day, never ending battle of you are a perfectionist especially. My index finger stared to twitch a bit , and stopped after one month of not hammering

[@RustyDobbs]

Totally relate to everything you are describing, Another, as I talked about in the video. Yeah, I absolutely would not want to do that everyday. You saved some money and got a result that you were satisfied with so there is something to say for that. Tile setting can get a little like this, workout wise. I describe it as doing yoga all day long! I'm sure you intuitively know this, but it doesn't get better the older you get! Thanks for watching and for your comments! Got a good laugh out of it!

[@dannywilsher4165]

Good morning Mr. Rusty... Now I will watch the video...

[@RustyDobbs]

Hey, Danny! Hope you like it! Pretty good product to work with and get quick results. Pricing for the flooring was around $3 per square foot.

[@janetstone236]

Thank you - first, you have a great voice for teaching/instructing or radio talk show - ha! and thanks for the tips and tapping wood block. I can't wait till I am done - just starting - 4 rooms den, office, dining and mud! God help me! So I am wondering, I can't tell is this tongue and groove? And I see you did not glue the tongue to the groove, I am planning to do this glue step and float the floor.

[@RustyDobbs]

You are probably done by now, Janet, and I hope it all went well for you! You have had a lot of work on your hands! It’s mostly all the standing up and down on jobs like these that wears me out these days. This one should be my last! This material was a was a tongue and groove product that actually snapped together so no glue was necessary. The trick was getting the end and length to snap in place with adjoining pieces at the same time. It was a floating floor as well. Hope you are happy with your results! I’ll bet it looks nice! Thanks for your nice comments and for watching!

[@adilenecastillo2136]

Those were a bunch of projects before the floor install. Just by listening I felt exhausted!

[@RustyDobbs]

Hey Addie! Yes, she has been a good customer! My more recent double barn door video is also for her utility room. Sorry that Volley didn't make it. That's a shame but understandable because a lot of people aren't comfortable recording themselves. Let's stay in touch! I always enjoy hearing from you. Feel free to use my email as needed. I'll be uploading videos more consistently soon too!

[@adilenecastillo2136]

@@RustyDobbs I know!!! I am still so sad because it was a wonderful tool. I started using it non stop since you recommended it, technically close or over a year now. It is so useful 😞😔

[@1oneZero8]

Hi Rusty! I just foun you and thank you so much for your awesome content, tricks, and visual effects. I'm looking to redo our bedrooms and appreciate the tips! Question, how on earth did you make that animation? Please share how and where that was made and I would like the same for a project of mine. Thank you again and chat with you soon.

[@RustyDobbs]

Hi Richard! Hey, thanks for your kind comments and thanks for watching. I use Sketchup Pro and Blender for making my animations. I like each program for different reasons and find myself switching back and forth between them depending on what I am doing. I use Premiere Pro to generate the videos themselves and it also has a wide array of visual effects that I sometimes use. Hope that helps and I appreciate your interest!

[@nathanlucero5475]

Thanks for the tips! Do you need to let engineered wood flooring acclimate before installation?

[@RustyDobbs]

Yes, Nathan, that is always a good idea for at least 24 hours. Think that's the typical recommendation. Thanks for watching!

[@borostojmenov5249]

Good idea, by using the Silicone Vapor Shield underlayment by All Globe that meets the NWFA requirements and is 100% recycled, VOC’s free no tar in this product therefore no tar smell. No home owner should allow tar laminated or tar saturated paper under natural hardwood floor.Also Silicone Vapor Shield is well priced and sold in 1000 locations or more in USA and Canadian.

[@RustyDobbs]

And should probably add that the edges of the paper are like razor blades! Other than that, it is a great product.

[@Mark_KE8YCV]

I found that if I lay out the entire row with ends snapped together just overlapping the previous row, then slide it so it falls on the seam and wiggle in the long end of the row all at once it goes really quick. I learned this because I had gaps and pulled up the entire floor and started over.

[@RustyDobbs]

Yeah, thanks for the suggestions, Mark! I think the guys that install this all the time have figured out lot of tricks like you have. I had a pretty good method going by the time I was finished for eliminating gaps when butting ends together. I set multiple rows and started over several times as well because I knew there had to be an easier way to get the ends and sides to both snap in place without gaps. All in all, I was impressed with the product and tight manufacturing tolerances. I like real wood but this really had a nice look with base trim in place and is really durable. As I said in the video, the installation process did work me over physically and wore me out!

[@Mark_KE8YCV]

@@RustyDobbs Another thing that really helped was starting the first few rows up against a 1x4x12 straight piece of oak then sliding the whole shebang up to the wall and shimming from wall to my straight lay. Yeah at my age this does take the starch out of me after all day, God bless knee pads ;-)

[@oshea03]

Do you think these floating floors will hold well in high humidity states like florida or ny summers?

[@RustyDobbs]

Obviously, McNuggets, the concern you are raising is the mold potential that is definitely a concern. I'm in the very dry Southwest so it's not an issue here. I had this question from some folks in Houston and it seems to me the airflow under the subfloor was a primary thing they needed to address. They also found that flooring suppliers in the area were a good source of information on products to use to address the mold/humidity concerns. It makes sense that the suppliers in the area would have the best precaution information for the specific geographic area.

[@craigkubnick1148]

Thanks for the information for us old guys. Yes, I was sure I had laid about 2000 sq. ft. and not the 238 sq. ft. that I did..

[@RustyDobbs]

Yep, I totally relate, Craig! There’s something about laying flooring that seems to utilize every muscle in your body over the course of a day. I think it’s all the getting up and down! That’s hard on us old guys!

[@divamarysia]

Which multi tool did you used??

[@RustyDobbs]

It is a Dewalt. No particular reason except that I have a number of Dewalt tools and they are pretty reliable.

[@zombierecon7351]

Rusty...I notice you are laying this on what appears to be particle board under layment. We are in the process of reflooring our home. Our home has 3/4 inch plank subfloor with 3/4 inch particle board under layment with carpet on top. Is traditional 3/4 hardwood floor with 2 inch nails an option without pulling up the particle board under layment or should we focus on a floating floor like this?

[@RustyDobbs]

Yeah, Zombie, the subfloor on this house is actually T&G 2x6s and the 1/2" particle board is applied over it. Carpet was installed over that. The particle board was left in place to keep floor height consistent. With how you describe your floor, I would be comfortable installing a traditional T&G hardwood floor over that. I would just make sure to put down a good quality vapor barrier product like I'm using here. I have to say, if you like this type of floating engineered flooring, it is certainly simple to install. But I also understand the desire to install a real hardwood floor as well! Either way, my guess is you will be happy with the result!

[@1234tellmewhatyourlookingfor]

😂 You don't need to tap them,you angle corner of end joint,then at your 20 degree angle,you pull back till you hear a click. Simple Rusty!

[@RustyDobbs]

I’ll remember that in my next life (or sooner if I ever have to do this again!) Good product but worked me over more than I thought it should have installing it!

[@victorvek5227]

You titled the video “engineered wood flooring”, yet you’re clearly installing vinyl. So that’s cool.

[@RustyDobbs]

I’ll try to get around to changing it to "engineered *_Vinyl_* wood flooring" the next chance I get, Victor! Probably have it done by 2022! 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@GibroniBaloni]

This is engineered vinyl not engineered wood

[@RustyDobbs]

Got it, Erich!

[@goognamgoognw6637]

the word luxe and luxury is so misused in american products that it usually means "not crap quality". Real luxury does not need that label used falsely here.

[@weswarren5987]

Well, you did it wrong