Block E – Wood and Laminate Flooring

Trends

The use of pre-finished hardwood and engineered products continues to grow. More customer-friendly laminate flooring products are available to consumers for do-it-yourself projects.

For wood flooring, there is a greater consumer demand for sustainable and green products. There is also a greater demand for exotic woods and reclaimed wood products.

Related Components (including, but not limited to)

Underlayments, wood and laminate flooring materials (cork, domestic and exotic woods, bamboo, reclaimed woods), adhesives, finishes, fasteners, solvents, cleaners, wood glue, laminate glue

Tools and Equipment

Basic hand tools, power tools and equipment, specialized wood and laminate flooring and underlayment tools and equipment, PPE and safety equipment

Task 14 - Installs pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood, and laminate flooring.

Context

This task encompasses the various installation methods for installing pre finished solid and engineered hardwood and laminate flooring products.

Required Knowledge

K 1 jambs such as steel, wood and medium density fibreboard (MDF)
K 2 finished height of material
K 3 building code requirements and restrictions on sound transmission
K 4 types of trims such as T-mouldings, reducers, stair nosings and quarter rounds
K 5 pads such as sound and vapour barriers
K 6 flooring material being installed such as laminate, engineered, parquet and solid wood
K 7 wood species and their characteristics
K 8 site barrier requirements such as felt, asphalt and wax paper
K 9 fastening techniques and systems such as glue down, nailing and mechanical joint
K 10 types of fastening tools such as cleat nailer and stapler
K 11 basic geometry, Pythagorean theorem (3-4-5), surface area and triangulation
K 12 racking material for appearance and designs such as herringbone, straight lay and offsetting end joints
K 13 fitting techniques such as scribing and reverse board
K 14 cuts such as mitre and relief cuts
K 15 cutting blade properties such as tooth count, kerf and tooth material
K 16 recommended uses of adhesives such as epoxy, wood glue and laminate glue
K 17 substrate construction and preparation
K 18 acclimation requirements
K 19 measuring moisture and humidity
K 20 expansion and contraction tolerances
K 21 expansion and contraction characteristics of wood types
K 22 wood fillers and finishes
K 23 nailing and spacing specifications
K 24 health issues when cutting laminate and pre-finished products
K 25 types of PPE such as hearing protection and safety glasses
K 26 moisture test on substrates

Sub-task E-14.01 - Undercuts jambs and trims.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.01.01 check for wiring such as security alarms, doorbells and TV cables
E-14.01.02 select blade according to material such as metal, wood and concrete
E-14.01.03 set blade to height of material to be installed and to depth of cut
E-14.01.04 protect surrounding finished surfaces during cutting process using tape and score line to prevent chipping
E-14.01.05 cuts jambs, toe kicks and trims to height of material to allow for expansion and contraction of material

Sub-task E-14.02 - Installs barriers and cushion.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.02.01 select barriers and cushion according to codes and manufacturers’ specifications
E-14.02.02 tape seams with manufacturers’ recommended overlap
E-14.02.03 position barrier and cushion running up the wall to above the height of the finished baseboard

Sub-task E-14.03 - Establishes layout.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.03.01 establish the start line for flooring, such as by identifying prominent wall (longest, straightest)
E-14.03.02 establish the square of the room by using the 3-4-5 method
E-14.03.03 measure to establish centre line of room using a chalk line and measuring tape
E-14.03.04 determine direction of floor joists to establish direction of boards as required
E-14.03.05 rack material to avoid use of small pieces by staggering end joints to maintain consistency of appearance
E-14.03.06 lay out patterns such as herringbone, medallions and borders

Sub-task E-14.04 - Fits material.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.04.01 select tool such as mitres, table saws, jigsaws, laminate shears and routers
E-14.04.02 cut material around walls and obstacles to allow for expansion and contraction using methods such as scribing, direct scribing, and reversing board and cutting
E-14.04.03 select flooring from multiple boxes to prevent shading and uneven colouring

Sub-task E-14.05 - Nails down pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood flooring.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.05.01 adjust fastening tool for placement and depth of fastener depending on thickness of material
E-14.05.02 fasten material using fasteners such as cleats, staples and nails according to material and sub-floor
E-14.05.03 space fasteners according to manufacturers’ recommendations
E-14.05.04 face nail starting row and finishing row according to industry standards
E-14.05.05 install spline or slip tongue using a router for reversing direction of lay or reinforcing weak joints
E-14.05.06 apply glue to one groove to secure spline

Sub-task E-14.06 - Glues down solid and engineered hardwood flooring.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.06.01 apply adhesive to substrate according to manufacturers' recommendations for open time and spread rate
E-14.06.02 lay starter rows into adhesive from a start line
E-14.06.03 tighten rows using tools and equipment such as clamps and tape
E-14.06.04 allow rows to dry to ensure secure starting rows
E-14.06.05 stagger end joints according to manufacturers' specifications to strengthen starting row
E-14.06.06 install spline or slip tongue using a router for reversing direction of lay or reinforcing weak joints
E-14.06.07 apply glue to one groove to secure spline
E-14.06.08 clean excess adhesive off surface while adhesive is still wet
E-14.06.09 fit tongue into groove facing out of leader board to avoid forcing adhesive into gap
E-14.06.10 roll flooring according to manufacturers' specifications

Sub-task E-14.07 - Assembles floating floors.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-14.07.01 determine joint type such as mechanical and glued
E-14.07.02 apply laminate adhesive to joints being installed in wet areas and heavy traffic areas according to manufacturers' specifications
E-14.07.03 stagger end joints according to manufacturers' specifications
E-14.07.04 position flooring around perimeter with spacers such as wedges according to manufacturers' recommendations to avoid contact with vertical stationary objects
E-14.07.05 lock joints together using tools such as tapping blocks and pull bars
E-14.07.06 maintain integrity of floating floor by not fastening items such as baseboards, closet door hardware and transitions to the floor
E-14.07.07 install expansion joints at break points according to manufacturers' recommendations
E-14.07.08 use underpad as per manufacturers’ recommendations

Task 15 - Installs custom wood and laminate flooring.

Context

This task encompasses installing borders and insets, and covering stairs using custom wood and laminate flooring products.

Required Knowledge

K 1 layout of borders and patterns such as medallions and herringbone
K 2 border design terminology such as “inset”, “framing”, “skirting” and “apron”
K 3 measuring techniques
K 4 tools such as routers and scroll saws
K 5 design techniques
K 6 interpretation of blueprints
K 7 mitre joints, lap joints and custom corners
K 8 spline installation
K 9 stair components such as stringers, risers, railings, spindles, nosings and treads
K 10 stair designs such as open, boxed and bullnose
K 11 recommended uses of adhesives such as epoxy, wood glue and laminate glue
K 12 types of trims such as T-mouldings, reducers, stair nosings and quarter rounds
K 13 sound staircase construction and removal of existing stair nose
K 14 starting points
K 15 wood fillers and finishes
K 16 cutting blade properties such as tooth count, kerf and tooth material

Sub-task E-15.01 - Installs borders, insets and custom fabrications in wood.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-15.01.01 determine design layout and patterns according to desired effect
E-15.01.02 cut medallions, insets and borders using tools such as routers and jigs
E-15.01.03 apply adhesive such as epoxies and glues according to product requirements
E-15.01.04 install spline or slip tongue for borders and mitre joints
E-15.01.05 cut and install a mitre joint and lap joint to ensure tight fit
E-15.01.06 fabricate custom trims and transitions from field materials such as door reducers and quarter rounds
E-15.01.07 screw and plug plank flooring for anchoring and decorative purposes

Sub-task E-15.02 - Installs wood and laminate flooring on stairs.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-15.02.01 cut existing nosing to achieve a square stair
E-15.02.02 determine tread such as one-piece and stair nosing and board depending on customer requirements
E-15.02.03 cut material for tight fit on tread, riser and stringer
E-15.02.04 fasten flooring using screws, glues and nails depending on substrate
E-15.02.05 cut and finish stair return using a mitre or router

Task 16 - Services pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood, and laminate flooring.

Context

This task includes repairing and replacing sections of pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood, and laminate flooring. In some jurisdictions, floorcovering installers may perform refinishing of wood floors.

Required Knowledge

K 1 repair techniques such as filling and sanding
K 2 flooring and repair materials such as wax crayons, putties and stains
K 3 repair limitations
K 4 existing fastening systems
K 5 existing flooring stains and finishes
K 6 replacement techniques
K 7 repair kits such as thermal plastic and laminate, and their use

Sub-task E-16.01 - Repairs boards.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-16.01.01 use thermal plastic repair kits for pre-finished wood according to manufacturers’ instructions
E-16.01.02 use laminate repair kit according to manufacturers' instructions
E-16.01.03 fill holes with putties and crayons
E-16.01.04 tighten loose boards using fasteners such as nails and screws
E-16.01.05 glue loose boards on concrete using an injection system

Sub-task E-16.02 - Replaces boards and accessories.

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	yes	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-16.02.01 protect existing finished surfaces using materials such as masking tape and cardboard
E-16.02.02 determine thickness of wood board to be replaced and set saw according to depth
E-16.02.03 remove board using tools such as a plunge routers, circular saws, chisels and specialty tools for laminate
E-16.02.04 remove existing laminate floor up to damaged area, replace with new and reinstall
E-16.02.05 remove fasteners to prepare for new board
E-16.02.06 apply adhesives according to material
E-16.02.07 fit and install new board and apply weight to keep flat

Sub-task E-16.03 - Refinishes hardwood flooring. (Not Common Core)

NL	NS	PE	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC	NT	YT	NU
NV	yes	NV	no	no	yes	yes	ND	yes	no	NV	NV	NV

Key Competencies

E-16.03.01 sand and screen surface depending on existing finish using tools such as edgers and drum sanders
E-16.03.02 apply fillers according to existing flooring
E-16.03.03 remove dust by vacuuming and tacking floor
E-16.03.04 apply stain according to manufacturers’ specifications
E-16.03.05 apply finish according to manufacturers’ specifications