Hardwood floor installation is not something that should be rushed into. It is a highly labor-intensive process, especially if you are doing it yourself. If you will hire someone to install it for you, make sure they have the proper experience and tools for the job.
If you are considering installing hardwood floors, you need to consider the size of the room where you plan on placing them. Wood flooring installation is done in four stages: laying the individual boards, nailing in place, staining, and sealing. Laying out the individual boards first involves:
- Measuring the space you have to fit the boards.
- Marking lines to indicate where they will go.
- Preparing the subfloor so that the boards can be installed properly.
For larger rooms, this process might take more time.
The next step in hardwood floor installation is nailing in place the boards. This is best done with a carpenter’s tack strip, but any good quality wood screws will do. Marking the subfloor as you go ensures that the boards will be installed in the right place and won’t be mixed up. Once the nails are in place, start staining the floor.
Once the stain has been applied, it will be time to seal it and protect it from moisture. In order to do this, you will need to work in three areas – the subfloor, the hardwood floor installation area, and the brackets and struts. The hardwood floor installation area should be sealed with an attractive water resistant sealer. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow all the steps to the letter.
Next, take the time to plan and shop around for the best price on the hardwood floor installation kit you need. Compare prices at different retailers and compare quality. You may want to consult a professional who deals with hardwood floors to get advice about what brands and types of flooring will work well in your home. You will likely have to pay a labor fee when you hire someone to install the kit, so do your homework ahead of time.
If money is not an issue, then solid wood flooring may be what you want to consider for your installation. Engineered hardwood floors are becoming more popular for DIYers and are also less costly than solid wood flooring. These types of installations are created by combining natural wood products like bamboo, cork and birch into engineered floors that look just like the real thing. Engineered hardwood floor installation requires building a solid frame for the floor, installing the sheet and adding the engineered floor coverings. If you choose this route, then you will probably have to hire a professional to put it all together for you.
There are other ways to go about hardwood floor installation without having to hire anyone. If you are comfortable with using basic tools, then you can probably install your own engineered hardwood floors. This is usually best for homeowners who are comfortable doing their own work and know what they are doing. Homeowners can purchase or borrow tools from a local hardware store. If you are installing engineered hardwood floors yourself, then you can find everything you need at a big box store or online.
Hardwood installation can be done in as little as one day if you are working with solid wood. Solid wood is usually more expensive than engineered, but the savings you make can make up for the difference in price. You can install hardwood floors yourself and save yourself the cost of hiring a professional. If you need help, then there are plenty of books and online articles teaching you how to properly do hardwood installation. You should never have any problems putting your hardwood floor installation together and will soon have floors that you can enjoy for many years to come.