Can I lay my own oak flooring? A complete guide for confident DIYers
- james42230
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Can I lay my own oak flooring?
A question we hear often at Marchand Luxury Oak is “Can I lay my own oak flooring?” The answer is yes. If you are reasonably handy, comfortable with tools, or working within the trades or building industry, installing your own engineered oak flooring is absolutely achievable. With thoughtful preparation and by following our Marchand Installation Guide, you can create a luxury finish that looks every bit as polished as a professional installation.
Modern engineered oak is designed to be stable, predictable, and more user friendly than traditional hardwood flooring. This means confident DIYers can install their own flooring successfully when the correct techniques are followed. The most important part is understanding how the product is supplied and the correct installation sequence.
Understanding what comes in each pack
Before you begin, it is important to understand that each pack of Marchand boards contains both full-length planks and shorter, randomly cut boards (for flooring, not wall). Twenty-five percent of every pack includes one board in every four that is intentionally cut to a shorter length. This design gives you the flexibility to start or end rows cleanly, reach tight or narrow areas such as hallways and hot water cupboards, and maintain a natural stagger pattern across your floor.
A premium oak floor should never look repetitive or overly uniform. The combination of long and shorter boards is what creates an authentic architectural flow. Using the boards as supplied ensures your finished floor looks organic, balanced, and true to the nature of European oak.
Allowing the correct quantity
We recommend allowing ten percent wastage when calculating your total square metres. This accounts for cuts around door frames, cabinetry, transitions, and pattern staggering. For example, if your area measures 80 square metres, a total of 88 square metres should be ordered to give you enough flexibility to complete your installation without interruption. Running short on product can create unnecessary delays and disrupt the flow of your layout, so planning this margin is important.
Preparing your space
If you are considering installing your flooring yourself, it helps to understand the sequence involved. The first stage is acclimatisation. Your boards should be placed in the room they will be installed in for at least 48 hours before you begin. This allows the timber to settle into the temperature and humidity of your home, supporting stability once laid.
The next step is preparing the subfloor. This is one of the most important parts of the installation process. The subfloor must be level, clean, dry, and structurally sound. A flat base allows the tongue-and-groove or locking systems to connect cleanly and prevents movement that could cause squeaks or lifting over time. Concrete slabs must be moisture tested, and timber substrates should be checked for stability.
Once your subfloor is ready, you will need to select the correct adhesive we detail this in our installation guide.
Laying your first rows
Your first row sets the line for your entire floor. Taking time to ensure it is straight, evenly spaced, and properly aligned will determine how well the rest of your boards fall into place. As you continue laying, you will begin to work intentionally with the shorter boards that come in every pack. These are used to start new runs, finish rows, fit into tight areas, and maintain the correct stagger distance between board ends.
A natural stagger pattern avoids any repeating patterns or lining up end joins across multiple rows. The beauty of oak lies in its organic flow, and using your shorter boards strategically creates that premium, effortless finish.
Cutting around door frames, wardrobes, and cabinetry will require patience and precision. Always maintain the recommended expansion gap around all fixed objects.
Visit our studio for hands-on guidance
For many customers, seeing the boards in person makes the installation process feel far more achievable. We encourage you to visit our studios, where we can demonstrate how to work with long and shorter boards, show you how to stagger your layout naturally, and walk you through our finishes, colours, textures, and transition trims. This hands-on experience often gives homeowners the confidence to install their flooring themselves.
Download the full installation guide
For detailed instructions covering preparation, adhesives, and technical requirements, you can download the Marchand Installation Guide here:
Final thoughts
So, can you lay your own oak flooring? Yes, you can. With adequate preparation, the correct tools, an understanding of how our boards are supplied, and careful attention to detail, you can install your own engineered oak flooring and achieve a high-end finish. Marchand oak is designed for beauty, longevity, and stability, and when installed correctly, it will elevate your home for decades to come.
If you have questions about installation, product selection, quantities, or planning, our team is here to help. Contact us at info@marchandonline.co.nz or come see us at the studio for personalised guidance.
