Many installations necessitate addressing unwanted sound transmissions, moisture, unlevel subfloors, and other issues that should never be ignored. Mapping out each stage of the installation and the solutions required at each step will inform what is needed, and how many products will be required to meet these needs. Identifying the right technologies based on the environment and needs of the project, and confirming that they’ll perform compatibly, will help ensure long-term success.

Proper Selection

Selecting the best products for the job is a crucial component of any flooring installation. While the cheapest options with baseline performance traits may be appealing, the more premium-grade, multi-solution offerings are often the better choice and deliver the most value. Despite the larger initial cost associated with them, they can help achieve multiple goals while better preventing unexpected issues from plaguing the flooring system in the long term. In this way, they can eliminate the need for supplementary purchases. 

For instance, determining that your hardwood flooring installation will benefit from the use of an all-in-one adhesive with sound and moisture control attributes, as opposed to a more traditional bond-only adhesive, may negate the need for additional moisture control and sound barrier products. Selecting high-value solutions that are compatible with one another should precede all other steps of the installation.

Proper Storage 

Properly storing each solution is essential as well. Manufacturer guidelines relating to handling and storage are available on products and data sheets. With the variety of chemistries and technologies available on the market, it’s important to acknowledge the varied guidelines tailored to each one individually. Instructions such as storing a product in its original container, keeping the container in a well-ventilated place, and storing it in an upright position to prevent leakage are common directions for many flooring installation solutions. 

Freeze-thaw stability is another important trait to consider. If a moisture barrier or adhesive is not freeze-thaw stable, it must be kept from freezing. Not doing so will likely impact the ability of the product to provide its intended results and cause it to break down before it can be implemented on the project. 

Being aware of local regulations for storing chemical products is also advised. Proper storage is an often-overlooked aspect of flooring installations that, if ignored, can compromise the performance of even the best products.
 

Proper Application 

Naturally, proper application will play an indispensable role in getting the best performance from your solutions. Utilizing the right tools for each solution and handling them as recommended is critical. Rollers, trowels, saws, knives, tapes and measuring tools enable installers to bring a flooring system to life but only when used correctly.  

Most flooring adhesives will feature a recommended trowel with specific measurements and notches as well as an ideal angle at which to apply the adhesive. Grabbing any old trowel and ignoring these instructions can compromise the bond and cause you to fall short of complete coverage. Installers should be aware of all application-related guidelines to achieve the optimal and desired spread rate. Not doing so can compromise the integrity of the product and by extension the entire flooring system.
 
Manufacturer guidelines and installation videos may also provide helpful tips to consider such as wrapping tape around a nap roller to be able to smoothly and efficiently apply a moisture barrier. Insights like this can expedite the installation and provide lasting know-how that installers might otherwise not have come across before, regardless of how experienced they may be with a particular tool.

Proper Usage

Using your installation solutions in the recommended fashion is a component that can make or break the success of the flooring system. Always follow the manufacturer's specifications and guidelines related to product usage and application, even if they seem straightforward and self-explanatory. Most adhesives, moisture barriers and primers necessitate a clean, flat and dry subfloor free from grease or debris before application. 

When mixing cementitious underlayments and patches, using the correct water ratio is key – overwatering or underwatering can cause cracking or other disastrous results. For adhesives, ensure you’re installing the flooring at the recommended time. Waiting too long when using moisture-reactive adhesives, for example, could cause the product to skin over and make proper coverage impossible. 

Substrate quality, cure times, spread rates, and mixing ratios are not just suggestions but essential pieces of information for making sure a solution delivers its intended performance.