Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m diving into a project that’s been on my to-do list for ages: installing batten-mounted hard maple wooden flooring. It sounds fancy, but really, it’s just a solid, beautiful way to lay down a floor that’ll last. Let’s get our hands dirty!

Prepping the Space

First things first, I cleared out the entire room. Furniture, rugs, everything. Gotta have a blank canvas, you know? Then, I gave the subfloor a good sweeping and vacuuming. Any little debris can mess with the level of the floor, and nobody wants a wonky floor.

Laying Down the Battens

• Next up, the battens. These are basically just strips of wood that I screwed down to the subfloor. I kept the use of screws minimal, focusing on securing the battens properly.
• I made sure to leave a little space between each batten – expansion gaps, they call ’em. Wood expands and contracts with temperature changes, and these gaps give it room to breathe.
• I spaced them out evenly across the room, making sure they were all nice and level. A wonky batten means a wonky floor, and we already talked about that!

Assembling the Maple

Now for the star of the show – the hard maple! These planks are gorgeous, with that beautiful, light color. I started laying them down, fitting them snugly against each other and on top of the battens.

• Each plank got secured to the battens.I make sure to keep things tight, you do not want any gaps between these beauties.
• I staggered the joints, like you would with bricks. It looks better and makes the whole floor stronger. Think of it like a puzzle, but way more satisfying.

The Finishing Touches

Once all the planks were down, I make sure the flooring is clean. And that, my friends, is a wrap!

Honestly, it’s a workout, but seeing that finished, gleaming hard maple floor is worth every bit of sweat. It’s solid, it’s beautiful, and it’s gonna last. If you’re thinking about doing this yourself, go for it! Just take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You got this!