Profession hardwood floor layer

Hardwood floor layers install floors made of solid wood. They prepare the surface, cut parquet or board elements to size, and lay them in a predetermined pattern, straight and flush.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Enterprising
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Wood cuts

  Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.

Skills

• Pin parquet

  Use air fired pins to pin parquet to the underfloor while the adhesive cures. Fill the resulting holes with putty.

• Use measurement instruments

  Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.

• Fill nail holes in wood planks

  Fill holes left by nails in wood planks with wood putty. Remove excess material with a plastic trowel or putty knife.

• Work ergonomically

  Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

• Inspect construction supplies

  Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

• Lay underlayment

  Lay an underlayment or pad on the surface before placing the top surface covering in order to protect the carpet from damage and wear. Tape or staple the underlayment to the floor and attach the edges to each other to prevent intrusion of water or other contaminants.

• Join wood elements

  Bind wooden materials together using a variety of techniques and materials. Determine the optimal technique to join the elements, like stapling, nail, gluing or screwing. Determine the correct work order and make the joint.

• Interpret 3D plans

  Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.

• Prepare surface for hardwood floor laying

  Make sure the base is properly prepared. Flatten out any uneven surface by applying thin strips of wood called firrings, sanding and refixing any loose or creaky boards.

• Interpret 2D plans

  Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

  Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

• Wax wood surfaces

  Treat wood surfaces with an appropriate wax, such as solid paste wax or liquid wax. Apply the wax to a wood surface and rub it in. Buff the surface to a shine using manual or electric equipment.

• Clean wood surface

  Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.

• Transport construction supplies

  Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.

• Create smooth wood surface

  Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.

• Create floor plan template

  Lay out the floor plan of the area to be covered on a suitable medium, such as strong paper. Follow any shapes, nooks and crannies of the floor.

• Monitor processing environment conditions

  Verify that the overall conditions of the room where the process will take place, such as temperature or air humidity, meet the requirements, and adjust if necessary.

• Install wood elements in structures

  Install elements made of wood and wood-based composite materials, such as doors, stairs, plinths, and ceiling frames. Assemble and affix the elements, taking care to prevent gaps. Inspect the work and notify the responsible person in case of problems.

• Lacquer wood surfaces

  Apply one or several layers of lacquer to a wood surface to coat it. Use a roller and a brush for larger surfaces. Load the roller or brush with lacquer and coat the surface evenly. Make sure no debris or brush hairs stay on the surface.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB