The lesser-known tools for wood flooring installation

Many people will be well accustomed to the process of installing wooden flooring; however they may be less aware of the specialist tools used in doing so.

With this in mind here are some of those less commonly known tools that you will come across when installing wood flooring:

• A Tapping Block – A tapping block is generally made from plastic and is used to protect the floor planks as you hammer them together for a tight fit. Rather than the floor taking the force of the hammer, which can cause dents, the plastic block absorbs it instead.
• Pull Bar – This is a great tool to push planks tightly together at the joints when glued. It also comes in handy at the wall – where it just isn't possible to use a tapping block.
• Spacers and Wedges – Utilised primarily to keep a gap round the edge of the room when laying the wood flooring, spacers and wedges are also great for keeping a straight edge against a wall that isn't level.
• Adhesive – Quite simply the glue used to fix tongue and groove joints together as well as for gluing beading and skirting into position at the floor's edge. Many common adhesives used in fitting wood flooring to a subfloor will expand while they dry – this ensures the small gaps are filled and prevents the production of a hollow sound as you walk on them.

The latest flooring news, courtesy of Floors Online.

Date : 02/09/2011
Category: Flooring Industry News