There are different flooring types available on the market today. If you’re after an easy flooring solution that still exhibits a professional finish no matter what, going for tongue and groove flooring may fit your needs perfectly. But what is tongue and groove flooring, and why should you consider it for your Melbourne timber flooring installation?

Tongue and Groove Basics

Tongue and groove flooring differs from click-lock floors in that on one side of the flooring, there is a strip, the ‘tongue’ that protrudes, which will then slide into a groove on the other floorboard to hold it in place. This means that cutting the boards to size and slotting them together is easy and simple, as long as you have the proper adhesive so that the floorboards are secure and stable.

Material Matters

When looking for a flooring solution that is not just easy to install, but also strikingly chic, the material it's made from really does matter. The elegance that wooden flooring provides to any home is undeniable, which is great because tongue and groove flooring is available in hardwood and engineered hardwood options, expanding your choices in your Melbourne timber flooring installation.

Pro Tips for Installing Tongue and Groove Flooring

Perhaps the most important thing about installing any flooring is to make sure that the base layer, or the subflooring, is prepared properly, with an appropriate barrier in between to ensure minimal board movement and squeaking over time. Experts suggest using red rosin paper overlapped over the entire subfloor and secured with blue painter’s tape, or tar paper. The latter is appropriate for when there may be moisture issues underneath the subfloor such as high humidity. This requires a staple gun or a hammer tacker to secure the paper appropriately.

Ensure that the room is empty of furniture and other assorted objects, as well, not only to maximise proper installation but also to lessen the amount of cleaning that will need to be done after the project.

Hardwood Flooring Pro Tips

If you’re using hardwood for your tongue and groove flooring, one of the best ways to install while really leaning into the rustic vibe that wooden flooring gives is by top-nailing your wide plank hardwood with hard-cut iron nails. You can also use screws and plugs. Combining the process of gluing as well as top-nailing your floors will really ensure a secure Melbourne timber flooring installation.

Engineered Flooring Pro Tips

If you’re looking into getting engineered flooring, it’s a great option to consider pre-finished wooden floorboards. Not only does this take away the added step of sanding and finishing after your Melbourne timber flooring installation, but its cost is also comparable to bare hardwood, which will definitely need cutting and finishing to ensure its longevity and aesthetic over time.

If you get pre-finished engineered flooring, you won’t have to worry about added time and effort that comes with adding sanding to your floor installation. And don’t worry, if you wish to change the finish of your wooden floors after a while, pre-finished engineered flooring can be refinished and given new life. Just ask your local flooring experts!