Installing engineered hardwood on your floor means going after the bright idea of using artificial wood for your needs. They glue in layers tiny wood bits and pieces of hardwood (which has a more complex structure opposed to softwood) to make a dense and durable material excellent for floor surfaces.

How to proceed with installing engineered hardwood? After you have purchased the right type and amount for your new flooring, the next step is to... leave it lying around for a couple of days. It needs fresh air after having been stored for a long time. To prepare the floor before the installation, clean and vacuum it thoroughly, nailing down all the "squeaky" parts you step on in the process. It is a good idea to layer it first with tar paper (aka black paper / builders felt) as it will provide better moisture control.

You can start installing the floor at one of the end corners of the room, or alternatively right in the middle, thereby ensuring it will look well composed. Of course the best composition is achieved by dry piecing together all of the material beforehand.

If you begin the laying from the outside in, leave the areas next to the walls until after you are done with the rest of the room. These parts of the floor are a little trickier since the wood pieces and the base of the wall need to be clean-cut just the right amount to be able to smoothly fit there. Use a saw to do the cutting job. Fill the gaps left between the wood and the wall with wood trim.

What about installing engineered hardwood on concrete? The usual method for this is called a floating floor. As the name suggests the floating floor in its final state is one huge piece of glued wood boards that is attached on top of the concrete.

Again an important first step is preparing the surface: leveling it out, cleaning it out, making sure it's not moist (very important). Spread the floating floor glue or clamp the boards together depending on the materials you've got.

The flooring shouldn't cover the entire concrete surface. There needs to be a bit of free space near the walls, because the wood will naturally broaden with time. Don't try to estimate exactly how much space to leave; simply put molding material at the base of the wall so that it is not visible.

Now that you are familiar with the basics of installing engineered hardwood, you can easily find more detailed information about each step. Good luck!