How to install timber flooring?

akhilsingh

Hi,

I am planning to replace carpets in my house with timber/wooden tiles flooring. I have seen multiple videos online with different suggestions, i want to know what is right for me.

I have heard to install these self-locking tiles I need to have a flat floor. What's the best way of checking if I do have a flat floor without completely removing the carpet? and if I don't have a flat floor? Is there a way to still install these tiles.

I have seen people suggesting that the tiles don't go all the way to the edge of the wall. Is this true? If so, how will it stay in place once installed? I don't want to get gaps in tiles after installing them.

I have seen people in videos installing wooden tile cut the bottom of the door frame to adjust for the wooden tile height, do I need to do this? Or can I just place tiles around the frame?

How do I prepare the floor for installing the wooden tiles? Do I need to sand the floor? Do I need to apply any glue on the floor? Do I need to put any special padding or layer like waterproof layer before installing wooden tiles?

It will be great to get recommendation on type of wooden tile for a diy job. Also what tools i might need for installation?

I do have staircases as well, which i will do eventually. But how do i install the vertical pieces ? Do i need to glue it in? And for the lip or the stair? How do i do it? Are there special tiles for that?

Thanks in advance :)

MitchellMc

Hi @akhilsingh ,

Great set of questions, you’re definitely thinking about the right things before getting started.

For click-lock hybrid flooring, you’ll need a reasonably flat surface, but you won’t be able to properly assess that until the carpet is removed, as the underlay can hide dips and high spots. Once it’s up, you can check with a long straight edge or laser level. If there are minor imperfections, low spots can be levelled and high spots ground back.

You will need to leave a small expansion gap around the edges (usually around 10mm). This allows the floor to expand and contract, and it won’t move because the boards lock together and are held in place by their own weight, with skirting or trims covering the gap.

For door frames, the best approach is to undercut the jambs so the flooring can slide underneath. It gives a much cleaner finish than trying to cut around them.

In terms of prep, once the carpet is removed you’ll want to:

• clean the surface thoroughly
• make sure it’s dry and stable
• install a suitable underlay if required (important for cushioning and moisture control).

Most click-lock systems don’t require glue.

For a DIY-friendly option, hybrid flooring is a great choice as it’s durable, water-resistant and relatively forgiving to install. Laminate with a good click system is another solid option.

You’ll likely need:

• tape measure, pencil and square
• saw (circular saw or jigsaw)
• tapping block, pull bar and spacers.

Stairs are a bit different and usually aren’t done as a floating system. They typically require:

• stair nosing pieces matched to your flooring
• adhesive (and sometimes mechanical fixing)
• risers fixed in place rather than floated.

If you can, once you’ve removed a section of carpet, feel free to share a photo of the subfloor and we can give more tailored advice.

Let me tag @diy_hausdesigns who laid D.I.Y. flooring using adhesive over tiles and @LSJ who was recently deciding How to choose between hybrid or vinyl plank flooring?

Happy to help you through it step by step.

Mitchell