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Known for its timeless appeal and versatility, engineered wood flooring offers all the advantages of genuine hardwood flooring at a fraction of the cost. However, when it comes to laying engineered wood flooring, it’s one of the trickier flooring types to install and requires a lot of skill and experience.
After investing in new engineered wood flooring, we’d always recommend booking professional fitters to ensure your floors are fitted perfectly. That said, if you already have extensive DIY experience and want to upskill, then fitting engineered wood flooring could be your next challenge.
So, with the help of our flooring experts, we’ve put together this helpful guide to take you through the process. From preparation to installation, find out how to fit engineered wood flooring with the right tools and steps.
In this guide:
You’ll need the following tools for laying engineered wood flooring:
If you don’t have any of these things, you can usually find them at any DIY or hardware store, or you might be able to rent them from a tool merchant. Alternatively, we can help connect you with expert fitters who can take care of everything for you.
As the saying goes, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. This is very true when it comes to fitting engineered wood flooring, as there are several steps to take before you even lay the first plank. It’s important not to skip these as it can affect the overall outcome, and in extreme circumstances even lead to your brand-new engineered wood floor cracking or splitting:
Engineered wood floor is compatible with underfloor heating (UFH) systems, but you need to pay attention to the thickness of the plank. Too thick and it’s harder for the heat to get through. You also need to check the type of underfloor heating – is it electric or water-based? In all circumstances, we recommend checking the manufacturer’s information for the selected engineered wood flooring and the UFH system for further guidance to check they’re compatible. You may find that further subfloor prep needs to be done such as applying additional smoothing compound to ensure the UFH system is fully encased.
Some key things to remember:
What’s most important is that the UFH system has been tested thoroughly before your engineered wood floor installation. And it goes without saying (but we’ll mention it anyway): do not nail down any planks as you’re likely to burst a pipe and cause some serious damage! Stick to glue down or floating installations for underfloor heating.
Before starting any flooring installation, it’s important to always read the manufacturer’s fitting instructions thoroughly. At Tapi, we have tongue-and-groove engineered wood and click engineered wood so make sure you check which installation method your planks have. Click installation is the easier to fit of the two.
Remember that wood is a natural product, and there’s likely to be some variation in colour and grain. While this variation makes your floor unique, review the boards for characteristics you might wish to place in less prominent positions.
Taking the time to properly fit your flooring around door frames will result in a much better finish. While it’s tricky, it’s definitely worth it.
Follow on for our tips for how to finish up your engineered wood flooring installation.
Yes, you’ll usually need underlay for engineered wood flooring when it’s installed as a floating floor. Underlay adds extra comfort, sound absorption, and heat insulation.
Yes, but rather than laying engineered wood flooring on floorboards, it’s better to lay it on top of a plywood subfloor to provide a level foundation before fitting. Floorboards can be gappy or uneven, which will result in the floor failing, causing flooring problems in the future.
Yes! Fitting engineered wood flooring on concrete can be done, but just like with other types of subflooring, make sure it’s clean, level, and dry first. Allow a minimum of one day’s drying time for every 1mm in the depth of concrete laid. We recommend booking a Tapi home visit if you’re considering engineered wood, so we can check if you have a damp-proof membrane in place before fitting.
Now you have a better idea about how to install engineered wood flooring, why not explore our other helpful guides to learn more? Check out our complete engineered wood guide, the difference between engineered wood and laminate flooring, and how to style engineered wood in your kitchen.
If you’ve got any questions regarding engineered wood flooring, feel free to contact us or pop to your nearest Tapi store to chat with our expert floorologists. We can discuss your ideas, make personalised recommendations, and set you up with a free, no-obligation quote if you have your measurements to hand. Book a free store appointment to get started today.
Published: 25-09-2025
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