There are many bonuses to installing herringbone floor alternatives as you can have underfloor heating, they are more eco-friendly and are anti slip which is perfect for both younger children and older adults.
Do it yourself?
If you have experience in laying a floor and are confident in doing so then this guide will help you through the process. However, the intricate design is deceiving so it isn’t for someone who doesn’t like a challenge. That being said, Underfoot Flooring has designed their herringbone flooring to be quick and much easier to install with an easy click and lock system which is perfect if you are looking to do it yourself.
Before Installation
Before you even consider the installation, you need to measure the area accurately so that you can order the right quantity. There is a calculator on the website which will tell you how many packs you will need once you have put in the measurements which will save you from a bit of mathematics! Many herringbone laminate flooring planks need to acclimatise for at least 48 hours so they adjust to the room temperature. However, this isn’t necessary for the rigid core SPC option when purchasing from Underfoot Flooring making it a perfect and time effective choice. Be sure to prepare the floor by giving it a good sweep or hoover before putting the boards together so that dirt doesn’t get trapped. If you are using laminate rather than the rigid core SPC, make sure that you use a type of underlay suitable to for the floor type you plan to lay your new flooring on.
Fitting the Floor
Now that you have purchased your flooring and have the space prepared, you need to separate the boards out into 2 piles as there are usually plank A and plank B boards in each pack. This is to help create the zigzag pattern. The bonus with Underfoot Flooring is that it is easier to install for beginners as no glue is needed. If you decide on the rigid core SPC herringbone flooring you can take your time amend any mistakes (if you notice them immediately!). In addition, you can plan out where you want the ‘v’ shapes to be in the room so that you the floor will look nice and even to give it a professional finish. Likewise, you will need to decide if you want to have a straight plank border and if so, what width you want it to be. Once you have planned this out, you are ready to start laying the floor boards. If you are installing laminate which requires adhesive, try not to stand on the floor for 24 hours to allow the boards to dry. Tip: make sure that there is a sharp ‘v’ shape to ensure that there aren’t any gaps.
As the herringbone pattern is so sharp and crisp, one small mistake will throw off the entire pattern so if you are in doubt, it might be best to leave it to the professionals.
