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Sanctuary School & Studio
Welcome to our School & Studio! Where you can Learn "how It's Done" and pick out options via our studio below within the sub service you have selected to view:
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School: Knowledge on how the sub-service is done.
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Studio: Options on all materials/colors for selected sub-service.
Interior Flooring
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
What are Engineered Hardwood Floors?
- Engineered hardwood floors offer the beauty and warmth of real wood with enhanced stability and versatility. Unlike solid hardwood planks, engineered hardwood is constructed with a layered design. This typically includes a top layer of genuine hardwood veneer, followed by a core of high-quality plywood or fiberboard. This construction makes engineered hardwood more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations, making it suitable for various environments, including those with concrete subfloors or radiant heating systems. Sanctuary Design & Build expertly installs engineered hardwood flooring in homes throughout Orange County, providing durable and stylish options that enhance your interior design.
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School
Our official "How It's Done" section to help educate our clients to understand our industry leading installation process!​​
Course: How are engineered hardwood floors installed?
Process - Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation
Discover our step by step guide on how we bring your remodeling projects to life. Unless otherwise stated in your contract, all installations pertaining to any engineered hardwood floors are performed in the exact outlined method!
Phase 1: Subfloor Assessment & Preparation
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This crucial first step ensures a stable and level base for the engineered hardwood. We begin by thoroughly inspecting the subfloor (typically plywood or concrete). We check for any signs of moisture, unevenness, or damage. Any necessary repairs are made, such as filling cracks in concrete or replacing damaged sections of plywood. The subfloor must be clean, dry, and structurally sound. For concrete subfloors, we also perform a moisture test to ensure it meets the manufacturer's requirements. If the subfloor is uneven, we may use a self-leveling compound to create a smooth surface.
Phase 2: Moisture Barrier & Underlayment Installation
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This phase addresses both moisture protection and underlayment installation, creating the ideal foundation for the engineered hardwood flooring. The process varies slightly depending on the subfloor type and the chosen underlayment.
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Over Concrete Subfloors: A moisture test is performed to assess the moisture vapor emission rate. If the test indicates excessive moisture, a moisture barrier is required. This is typically a polyethylene film (6-mil or thicker) or a specialized liquid-applied membrane. The barrier is rolled out over the clean concrete subfloor, overlapping seams by several inches and taping them securely with moisture-resistant tape. Then, the chosen underlayment is installed over the moisture barrier.
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Over Wood/Plywood Subfloors: A moisture barrier is generally not required unless the subfloor is over a crawl space or in an area with high humidity. However, an underlayment is still highly recommended. The chosen underlayment is rolled out directly over the clean wood subfloor.
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Using Underlayment with an Attached Moisture Barrier: Some underlayment's, typically foam or rubber, have a built-in moisture barrier. In this case, the underlayment is rolled out directly over the concrete subfloor (after cleaning and testing for moisture) or wood subfloor, eliminating the need for a separate moisture barrier film. This simplifies the installation process.
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Whether installing a separate moisture barrier or using an underlayment with an attached barrier, it's crucial to ensure proper overlapping of seams (typically 2-4 inches).
Phase 3: Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation
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We begin by carefully planning the layout of the flooring, considering the room's dimensions and any obstacles. We typically start along a straight wall and work our way across the room. Engineered hardwood can be installed using several methods, including: (please see your contract to view which method is being used in your project)
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Floating: The planks are connected to each other using a tongue-and-groove system or a click-lock system, creating a "floating" floor that is not directly attached to the subfloor. This method is common for installations over concrete or when moisture is a concern.
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Glue-Down: The planks are glued directly to the subfloor using a specialized adhesive. This method provides a more solid feel and is often used for installations over plywood subfloors.
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Nail-Down/Staple-Down: While less common for engineered hardwood than solid hardwood, this method can be used in certain situations. The planks are nailed or stapled to a wooden subfloor. We use appropriate tools and techniques to ensure proper alignment, tight seams, and a professional finish. We leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room to allow for natural expansion and contraction of the flooring.
Phase 4: Finishing Touches
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After the flooring is installed, we install baseboards or quarter round molding around the perimeter of the room to cover the expansion gap and create a finished look. We also install transition strips where the flooring meets other types of flooring, such as tile or carpet. Finally, we clean the floor thoroughly to remove any dust or debris.
Click Here to see our molding/trim options to finalize the look of your new Engineered Hardwood floors!
Click Here to see our molding/trim options to finalize the look of your new Engineered Hardwood floors!
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Studio
Our Official Studio will guide you through all options we carry within the selected category to expertly guide you in your decision making process!
Studio Display: Our Selection of Engineered Hardwood!