Rigid Core Installation

Rigid Core Flooring Installation

Whether you’re considering installing your rigid core flooring yourself or planning to hire a contractor to do so, here is some helpful information to ensure your new floor looks great from the moment it’s installed through years to come.

  • An appealing feature of our rigid core flooring is its “floating floor” construction. This means that the individual boards are designed to snap or lock together without the need for gluing or nailing down the boards to the subfloor. In this way, your new floor “floats” above your subfloor.
  • This is a real advantage if your subfloor has minor irregularities (many do!) since the thick, sturdy planks have a cork underlayment that helps provide an even flooring foundation as well as added comfort and quiet.
  • Rigid core flooring can be installed over large areas without transition strips.
  • This floating floor construction can also save considerable time and effort over traditional flooring installation methods as well as make installation possible for more experienced DIYers.
  • With that said, you’ll find in the installation instructions for some of our floors that we advise using an adhesive if you’re planning on installing your floor where it will be exposed to a lot of sunlight, which naturally increases the possibility of floor expansion.

Familiarize Yourself with the Installation Process Before You Buy

Installation instructions vary by floor, so take the time to review these before making your making your final purchasing decision. Not only will you find clear, step-by-step instructions for each floor installation, you’ll also learn about specific situations that may require you to use different materials or added steps to ensure an optimal waterproof floor installation. This includes aspects such as subfloor requirements, trim preparation, how to create a starting point, plus specific guidelines and materials for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms.

Installation Instructions

Budget Considerations

Whether you’re planning on installing your floor yourself or hiring a professional contractor, make sure you’ve considered the following when budgeting for your new floor:

  • Removal and disposal of your old floor
  • Subfloor repairs if irregularities are significant
  • Cost of moving furniture
  • Cost of materials and tools needed – if you’re hiring a pro, these items should be listed out in the proposal. If you’re doing it yourself, this could include safety equipment like protective glasses, installation tools like a proper saw and hammer for the project, a pull bar and tapping block, caulk for high-moisture installations and finishing elements such as coordinated trims and moldings.

Do-It-Yourself or Go Pro?

If you’ve installed a floor before, are an experienced DIYer or planning a small install (such as a bathroom or laundry room which will most likely not require adhesive), you may want to consider installing the floor yourself. However, even the simplest installs can present unforeseen challenges – something professionals may be better able to anticipate due to their expertise and experience. Larger installs as well as glue-down installations often warrant the help of a pro, so we advise to take these things into consideration when making your decision on who should do your floor installation. And remember, we’re always here to help you or your installer with any questions you may have before, during or after installation – just contact us at Customer Service.

Prep Steps for Your New Floor

Whether you’re doing this yourself or hiring a professional, here are the steps for prepping your room for your new floor installation. Prepare the room by moving all furniture/appliances out of the space. Remove/dispose of old flooring if necessary. If there is any millwork, trim or wall base that you’d like to re-use, remove these items carefully and store them safely out of the way. Make any repairs needed to the subfloor, ensuring that it is dry, clean and flat. While most rigid core floor products don’t require acclimation (storing the floor boards for a short period of time in the same environment in which they’ll be installed), be sure to review installation instructions since certain circumstances (flooring stored in extreme temperatures) may make a short acclimation period necessary.

After Your New Floor is Installed

  • Be sure to remove all tools and materials from the area and thoroughly clean your floor with the recommended cleaner for your new rigid core floor.
  • If you have a glue-down installation, don’t wet mop your floor for at least five days from when it was installed.
  • It may also be advisable to wait 24 hours before replacing your furniture/appliances, especially if these items are heavy.
  • Using furniture pads to protect your new floor will help to keep it looking like new for years.

Got an installation question we haven't answered?

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