Fit Your Own Flooring
Laying your own flooring may seem like a daunting task, but with our easy how-to guide, you can fearlessly fit your flooring without spending a fortune on a professional.
2 minute read
- Consider choosing the proper flooring and materials then prepare your subfloor before carrying out DIY flooring. Leave the packs of flooring at least 48 hours in the open to allow them acclimatise to the room’s temperature.
- Start off by laying the planks with the last row of flooring measuring at least 100mm wide. This allows you to easily adjust the first row in case you need to compensate for less space or where your standard planks do not fit.
- Allow between 10mm and 12mm expansion gap between walls and the floor then arrange the rows by ensuring the tongue of the plank faces the wall.
- If the last plank does not fit properly, cut it to ensure the expansion gap is maintained.
- If there are radiator pipes within the room, use a flat wood bit to cut a hole as well as part of the flooring to ensure a keyhole space is left. When fitting the plank here, use wood adhesive glue to fit back the off-cut wedge in place. A typical keyhole will measure 32mm in diameter.
- To adjust the door frames and fit the flooring planks underneath, cut the door frame using a handsaw. Ensure the expansion gap is maintained at the door threshold.
- When laying the last row, place a plank directly over the previous one and then lay a third plank on the second plank. Use the edge of the third plank to mark a line on the second plank the cut the second plank along that line. You will notice the second and third planks will fit perfectly. Use a hammer and a pull bar to ensure they fit tightly.
- Cover the expansion gaps with fit matching threshold strips around the perimeter of the floor. You may consider fixing scotia on the flooring, in this case, but ensure the flooring freely slides under the scotia to allow for expansion and contraction.
*How To articles are intended as advice only. Please refer to your completion documents for specific information on lease and covenant restrictions and maintenance of your home.*
