If you plan to install your own solid hardwood, its a good idea to observe the installation process in person (or at least watch videos on how to install tongue and groove flooring) before attempting to lay your own floor. Another great idea is to buy your paneling pre-finished and avoid the hassle altogether. In our case, we decided to run our flooring the length of our hall to make the hall look longer and to make our kitchen look wider. Planks are always installed from left to right. How much of the power drawn by a chip turns into heat? If you choose to place the glue at the groove, so the tongue drives it into the groove. How appropriate is it to post a tweet saying that I am looking for postdoc positions? On the first sheet down, does the tongue or groove go towards the wall? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Shiplap boards have an L-shaped notch running the length of the boards, as opposed to the inset groove and protruding tongue of the other type of boards. Is there a reason beyond protection from potential corruption to restrict a minister's ability to personally relieve and appoint civil servants? Planks are always installed from left to right. You finally decided it was time to replace your tired, dated flooring and you chose the stylish yet affordable option: luxury vinyl plank (also known as LVP). Is swimming pool chlorine the same as bleach? You could install a thin threshold between each room. If you need more assistance with squaring your room, WikiHow has a great tutorial on how to square a room three different ways. If you are unsure, its best to consult with a professional installer or the manufacturer of the flooring for specific advice. Begin by opening the boxes to inspect the planks (I would choose about 8 different boxes). Mark the end piece for cutting by keeping the tongue pointed toward the wall while also flipping it upside down. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. When you reach the last plank of a row, place a spacer against the wall where the plank will be. Start by connecting your first plank to the second using the tongue and groove mechanism. Some manufacturers are going to be easier to install than others, but all of them can be installed in reverse. the main window). Then, lay another plank on top of that plank with the tongue side touching the wall. Decide how you are going to finish your paneling. Tile to tongue & groove paneling transition and window casings, Installing 3/4" plywood underlayment over 1/2" subfloor. Plywood makers size the sheets to allow for the spacing. If the planks run parallel to the doors, you could cut out one board between the two rooms. 1. With glue you really can spread them out farther, 5 screws used on the ends if you choose, and 4 across the field. Check out our shower tutorial to see how we used a concrete leveler to level the floor. The direction that flooring should be laid is determined by the rooms size, shape, and other design elements. Ultimately, it is a personal choice and there are no hard and fast rules on which direction to go in. Continue installing the first row in the same fashion until you reach your last plank. If you have an average sized room and have flooring planks running away from the entrance, it is best to start your laminate flooring in the corner that is farthest away from the entrance. The plywood goes down so the groove is away from the wall, that way, after the row is finished, or at least when you decide to start the next row, a 2X4 can be placed across the joists at the edge of the next row and drive, with a sledgehammer, the second run into the first. Is it safe to sleep with an electric heater on? Step 1: Mark the Expansion Gap Use your chalk snapline to make a line 1/4 inch out from the starting wall. To find the starting row and ending row size, you would multiply 14 feet by 12 inches to give you the total length in inches, in this case, 168. Do the same at the ending wall on the opposite side of the room. Tongue and Groove Joint. Types, Uses, Pros & Cons - Fine Power Tools You will notice that there are different patterns inside the boxes you will want to use even color variations across the floor (you will not want the same two planks right next to each other). The tongue and groove have a projection and indentation that align with each other to form a tight joint when placed side by side. SIDE NOTE: When we originally had luxury vinyl planks installed in our basement, the company that installed the floor assured us that we did not need to level some of the floors because it was under the 1/4 recommendation. Make sure to use the right saw blade for your saw; if necessary, change out the blade to a laminate cutting blade. This system enables the planks to be installed with relative ease and helps to ensure a secure fit that resists separation. Continue using this method until youre far enough from the wall to use the flooring nailer. Can I clean my tub with toilet bowl cleaner? Also, try to avoid having a row or end that is less than 2. Calculate the amount of paneling that you need. "Top layer" plywood subfloor fastened to decking. Measure and mark the plank with a pencil or snap an outline; this will act as a guide for you to know where to cut for the next plank. This will give you a straight line to work with. It can be butted up tight to the previous row. The gap should be 1/8" between ends. Cut the board to length with a miter saw. Check every two-three rows that you are still parallel to the first row or the wall. While smooth, level tongue and groove flooring is popular, you can still find plain board planks to recreate the look and feel of an old-time, rustic floor. It took some time to figure out the best technique for my flooring. What is the best safety rule in the kitchen? The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation. Along the wall on the other side of the room, switch back to the finish nailer and nail through the face of the boards every 8 to 10 inches. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. Mark the overlapping plank where the two joints will meet if they were installed on both ends of the plank. Place shims or spacers in the gap between the flooring and the walls to hold it firmly in place. How tight should the T&G be? This plank should overlap the last installed plank. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN) is a type of neuralgia that causes nerve pain in the mouth, including the tongue. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Use a ruler to connect the two marked ends. Secure the first row by nailing into the tongue to the joist, (or furring strip) and secure the groove side of the plank by face nailing into the joist. Luckily for you, you are about to learn all about installing luxury vinyl plank flooring and you dont need any prior experience! The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation. This helps create a more balanced, harmonious look. Installingtongue and groove wood panelingon walls or ceilings is an easy way to add a new look and a sense of coziness to any room. Use a miter saw to cut the trim and use a construction adhesive to secure it into place. ), you can use a circular saw or jigsaw to cut the planks to fit. SIDE NOTE: Remember, you never want to start with a full plank. The tongue side on laminate flooring is the side that has a protruding groove along one side. When placing wood floors in multiple rooms and a connecting hallway, the boards should all be directed away from the main entrance to the hall, and adjoining rooms should continue in that same direction. Because tongue and groove boards interlock, theyre less likely to heave or show gaps between the planks if the flooring swells or shrinks, which wood has a tendency to do over time and as humidity levels change. If the floor in an adjoining room is lower, its a good idea to install a transition floor threshold between the rooms. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. To keep the joints between the rows from lining up, start this second run with a board whose end hits at least six inches away from the nearest joint in the . Insert the nails into the tongue at an angle and use enough force to have the nail flush with the surface of the tongue. This will give you a cleaner finish when you place the baseboards and trim over the new floor rather than installing a quarter round. With these two pieces of information, your supplier should be able to provide the right amount of boards for your job. Underlayment serves to minimize floor noises, acts as a moisture barrier, and smoothes the surface upon which youre laying the flooring. Angle the plank at a 20-degree angle on the long side and insert the long side tongue into the previous rows groove. Now install the second row. Personally, I think it looks nicer this way when you have a standard 3-foot hall but for a wider hall, either way, would be fine. You will need to do the same on the next piece. This would mean removing any old flooring that you cannot place the planks over (carpeting, for example). Be sure to take adequate safety precautions and always wear safety glasses and protective gear when operating saws and heavy tools. Ideally, you want the start and ending row to mirror each other so I would recommend cutting them both to 7-1/2 (9+6=15 / 2=7.5). Once all the flooring is down, you can install the baseboards. In most cases, carpet and wood strip flooring can be installed directly over the sheathing without additional underlayment. Decide how you would like to install the paneling. Leaving a gap of 1/2 at each wall surface for expansion and start to install the first row. Use a shop-vac to remove all dirt and dust and make sure you remove any nails, screws, or staples. While you are waiting for your flooring to arrive, you need to prep the area. Use the top plank as your straight edge guide and mark a line the length of the first plank on top of the installed rows. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Makes this go much faster. Place the guide on the floor next to the door jamb. The notation, "sided for spacing" may be on the sheets. Does it need to be glued or anything? Hardwood species contain much fewer knots and are more elegant. It is important to get this right when laying the flooring as it will affect the fit and . And thats it youve just finished installing your new luxury vinyl flooring! Here is what a great professional installer recommended: I had already installed my flooring when I found this technique so I am also going to share how I cut my last row. you should be able to keep 16" centers. In my particular situation I'm doing a bathroom that is 8' wide so it fits one span of plywood perfectly and I only need about 3 sheets to do the entire length of the room. Take the time to prep the floor by removing any squeaks and leveling the floor with a surface leveler. Reinstall thetrim. But you are looking for an inexpensive way to update the floor? Remove the bottom of the door jambs with an oscillating tool. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_30',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');When it comes to starting the installation of your laminate flooring, its important to start from the left-hand side of the room, along the most visible wall or the longest wall. Here is a list of tools you can use: I used a miter saw when cutting straight end cuts or start cuts on the planks. Use all appropriate and proper safety precautions when attempting projects. This tells you that you will need three full planks and have 36 leftover, minus the gaps for expansion. Cartoon series about a world-saving agent, who is an Indiana Jones and James Bond mixture. You should also predrill holes for any planks that will be going around doorjambs. If your current floor is not flat (level), the planks will bow when stepped on, giving you a clicking noise that will annoy you for years to come. Finally, when you get to the last row near the wall, be sure to measure and cut the board correctly so there is a consistent gap between the wall of the room and the last board. In addition to appearance, there is a concern if the lesion or sore does not go away or grows in size. Checking to make sure you are keeping the plank parallel to the wall, continue nailing the plank until you get to the end of the plank. Ultimately, the floor direction should complement the overall design and be aesthetically pleasing. And yes, you can use some damaged boxes because you need to cut ends but we had a LOT of damaged boxes (the forklift won that battle!). How to Start the First Row on Laminate Floor if the Wall is Not By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The sides of the T&G where it butts up against the old subfloor? This is where the tongue on the next board fits into. Engineered tongue and groove planks, however, snap together to create a floating floor that is not physically attached to the floor below. The quick answer is YES! Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila, floor thats even durable enough for homes with dogs, 12 Reasons Hardwood Floors Might Not Be Right for Your Home, 8 Easy and Affordable Garage Floor Options, 12 Painted Floors You Need to See to Believe. Lift to Fit. Step 3. Todays hard-surface flooring is smooth and level, due in large part to the way its installed. Cut each door jamb that needs adjusting using this method. Tongue and groove is a method of fitting similar objects together, edge to edge, used mainly with wood, in flooring, parquetry, panelling, and similar constructions.Tongue and groove joints allow two flat pieces to be joined strongly together to make a single flat surface. Step 5. The T&G edges are on the long sides of . Here's What You Need to Know Find out why this smooth, uniform type of flooring has become more popular than its nailed-in. Do not drop the plywood on the glue or set the plywood off the final placement too far or firstly the glue will splatter all out off of the joist, or slide or scrape the glue off the joists. The tongue side will interlock with the grove side when connecting two boards together, creating a stronger and more secure joint. As the job wraps up, the two discuss how to hide the gaps and nail holes for a perfect finish. If not, use a tapping block with a rubber mallet to snap the joints together (check first that your flooring allows you to use a tapping block before using it). Did an AI-enabled drone attack the human operator in a simulation environment? Measure the room to determine the amount of flooring needed. Cut and Install Planks: You can use a jigsaw to cut the planks. This next step will take a few days but it is essential! In fact, sometimes it can create a more interesting look by running them either in alternate directions or in a pattern. Determine the placement of the flooring, starting point, and what cuts will be needed. If you wish to install the boards parallel to the joists, you will have to install furring strips and then secure the paneling to the strips. Notch and cut the first piece to fit and then slide it completely under the jamb. I used a jigsaw to cut angles or around fixtures (vents, doors, etc.). We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. nails is the best choice for fastening, although an 18-gauge nailer will do the job, too. When you come to any protrusions in the wall or any other obstacles (i. e. door frames, cabinets, fireplaces, etc. Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall. You will then mark the overlapping plank where the two joints will meet if installed (end to end). Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links or referral links for your convenience. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? rev2023.6.2.43474. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. So on each of the four sides you'll either find a tongue or a groove, thus the name tongue . However, if you are considering doing this, there are some important factors to consider. So how easy is it? Recovery on an ancient version of my TexStudio file, What are good reasons to create a city/nation in which a government wouldn't let you leave. Now carefully follow the installation instructions. Placing hardwood flooring in the same direction that follows your space is best. SIDE NOTE: You dont have to do this many staggering planks but I would recommend having the same cut pattern as much as possible. When you are ready to start installing your vinyl plank flooring, you will need to start in a corner, preferably a left-hand corner. This would give you approximately 18 full 9 rows of the plank with the last row being 6. Rental is an idea here. However, there are no hard and fast rules about the direction in which the planks are installed, and if laying your flooring in a different direction makes more sense to you, go for it.