Okay, so today I decided to tackle a project I’ve been putting off – installing that keel basketball hevea assembled wooden flooring. It’s been sitting in boxes, taking up space, and honestly, I was a little intimidated.

Getting Started

First things first, I cleared out the room completely. Furniture, rugs, everything. Gotta have a blank canvas, you know? Then, I gave the subfloor a good sweeping and vacuuming. Made sure it was super clean and level, which is, like, the most important part they say.

Laying Down the Underlayment

Next up was the underlayment. This stuff is supposed to help with sound dampening and provide a little cushion. I rolled it out, making sure to overlap the seams a bit, and then taped them down with some heavy-duty tape. Felt pretty straightforward, actually.

The Keel System

This is where it got interesting. This flooring has this “keel” system, which are these plastic strips that the wood planks click into. I laid out the first row of keels, making sure they were straight and aligned with the longest wall. I had to use spacers at the perimeter for the recommended room for expansion.

Clicking in the Planks

Then came the fun part – installing the actual wood planks. They’re hevea, which is supposed to be pretty durable. Each plank has these grooves that click into the keels. It took a few tries to get the hang of it, but once I figured out the right angle, they snapped together pretty easily. I used a tapping block and a rubber mallet to make sure they were really snug.

Row by Row

I just kept going, row by row, staggering the seams like you’re supposed to. It’s kinda like putting together a giant puzzle. I used a jigsaw to cut the planks at the end of each row, and around any tricky corners or door frames. My cuts weren’t perfect, but hey, that’s what baseboards are for, right?

Finishing Touches

After all the planks were in, I removed the spacers and installed the baseboards. That really made it look finished. I also added some transition strips where the wood floor met the other flooring in the hallway.

The Result

Honestly, it took longer than I thought it would, but it was totally worth it. The floor looks amazing! It’s got this warm, natural feel, and it feels great underfoot. Plus, I did it myself, which is always a good feeling. It feels sturdy and I am very happy with it!