8 Tips for Flawless Flooring Installation | Bostik Blog

A successful installation starts with a firm foundation. Before installing any new flooring, make sure the subfloors are flat and level. Uneven subfloors decrease the durability and longevity of the final result. Subfloors should also be checked for any signs of weakness, movement and flexibility. It needs to provide a sturdy and firm foundation, so the final flooring does not crack, warp or bend.

After the subfloor has been leveled and checked for weak spots, it needs to be properly cleaned, prepped and primed for installation. All dust and debris should be swept away and quality primer should be used to seal and smooth the subfloor for optimal flooring adhesion.

Starting with properly prepared subfloors ensures a smooth installation process with a durable and long-lasting finish.

If you plan to use hardwood flooring, it is important to make sure the flooring is acclimatized to the new location before installation so it can adjust to the moisture levels in the new environment. 

Once the boards have been glued down, excessive change in moisture levels can cause the boards to expand or shrink. Too much moisture and the boards will stretch the adhesive and ultimately fail. Boards that are too dry could shrink and create unsightly gaps.

Before gluing or nailing the boards down, make sure enough time has passed between the delivery date and the installation date so the wood can be “accustomed” to the new climate and humidity.

The right flooring adhesive is the key to a successful and durable flooring installation, and choosing the right one begins with knowing the type of flooring you are going to use. 

Hardwood floors typically need a strong yet flexible adhesive with added moisture resistance, sound dampening and antimicrobial properties. Tile grout should be able to withstand high traffic and harsh cleaning chemicals. Soft floor adhesives need to be resilient, flexible and easy to use in vast spaces. 

It is also worth considering the environmental impact the adhesive will have. Some adhesives emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are toxic and harmful to the indoor air quality of the space. However, certain brands, including us here at Bostik, care about the environmental impact their products have and provide a range of green-certified adhesives that are safe to use in any space.

Even acclimatized flooring can still shrink or expand once installed. When using any type of wood flooring, you need to leave expansion gaps to account for any expanding and contracting that may happen due to temperature and humidity changes.

The expansion gap runs around the whole edge of the room and is typically between 10mm and 15mm. This gap often gets covered at the end of the project with baseboards or some type of molding that also serves to protect the walls from bumps and scratches.

Installing any type of flooring is time-intensive, but taking shortcuts could cause you to have to redo the entire project. This is particularly true of tile flooring. 

Tile installation needs to be done in stages to allow for enough drying time in between steps. Make sure to wait at least 24 hours before grouting to ensure the mortar has had time to set. If the mortar is not completely cured, the tiles could pop off or crack. Uncured mortar could also discolor the grout and ruin the whole look.

Flooring takes time, and there are no shortcuts if you want a well-executed finish that will last a long time.

Grout haze occurs when the flooring was improperly cleaned after applying grout and a residue remains on the surface of the tiles. This residue can appear dull, streaky or glossy. 

In some cases, the grout haze can be easily removed with a scrub pad and an alcohol-based window cleaner. But sometimes a more aggressive cleaner, like our Blaze Urethane Grout Cleaner, is required.

Some tiles, such as terracotta or natural stone tiles, do not come glazed when bought. In these cases, a sealer needs to be applied to the grout to prevent the tile from absorbing dirt and moisture.

Regardless of tile material, the grout should always be sealed at the end of the project. This often-overlooked step prevents stains and helps make cleaning and general maintenance much easier. Applying that final seal keeps the grout looking pristine and fresh.

An improper installation can void the warranty on your flooring. So, it is important to follow all the necessary steps, use the right products, and take care of your new flooring to keep the warranty valid.

Some things that could void the warranty include an uneven subfloor, improper maintenance and using the wrong tools and materials during the installation.

Make sure to check the specs on any additional materials like underlayments and adhesives before installation. Using low-quality or substandard products could not only invalidate your warranty, but you also risk your flooring wearing out or breaking prematurely.

Choosing products like our flooring adhesives that provide three-part specs and warranty information guarantee your flooring installation will meet all the required standards.