Guide to Flooring Installation NZ

Installing a herringbone floor can be a rewarding DIY project, but careful planning and precision are key. Here’s a summary of the steps and tips to help you achieve a professional finish. If you are installing or for the full details, be sure to refer to our official product installation guide.

Tools Required:

• Rubber mallet
• Chalk line
• Utility knife or jigsaw
• Spacers

Step 1: Find Your Centre

To start, measure both ends of the room to find the exact centre. This will serve as the starting point for your herringbone pattern. A cantered layout ensures symmetry, which is essential for the striking look of herringbone flooring.

Step 2: Set Your Working Lines

From your centre mark, measure 4.1 cm to the left and right, snapping chalk lines along the entire length of the room. These lines serve as guides to help you keep your pattern straight as you lay the planks.

Step 3: Start with “A” and “B” Boards

Each herringbone pack comes with “A” and “B” boards. To begin, place the long side of a “B” plank over the short end of an “A” plank. Using a tapping block and a rubber mallet, align and lock the planks together by tapping the top of plank “B.” This is the start of your “V” formation, which will define the herringbone design. Continue laying your boards, ensuring the “V” pattern remains consistent throughout.

Step 4: Lay Your Rows

As you move to the next row, remember to continue forming columns until you reach the opposite side of the room. Leave the last 5 cm of each seam untapped; these will be tapped and locked once the adjacent column is added. Check your chalk lines regularly as you work, adjusting as needed to keep the pattern straight.

Step 5: Allow for Expansion

For a long-lasting installation, use spacers along the perimeter of the room. This will leave a small gap that allows the flooring to expand and contract naturally. Once the installation is complete, remove the spacers and cover the gaps with trim.