Hardwood floors are so in fashion these days. It is so for mainly two reasons; they make the house appear better but are easier to clean and maintain. However, you can only reap the benefits if you have chosen and installed the hardwood floor well. Choosing and installing the hardwood floor is tricky. Even an experienced person can fail to get it right. If you are just about to choose and install the hardwood floor, here’s how you can do it;
How to choose the hardwood floor?
Since to get done with the job, one must first choose the hardwood floor well. If the hardwood floor is not chosen carefully, installing well would not help. While shopping for a hardwood floor pay attention to the following things;
Type
The first thing you will be made to choose between would be the “type”. The hardwood floor has two types; solid or engineered floors. The solid floors are made from planks of solid timber, engineered from a thinner top layer of hardwood. An engineered floor is not a good option as the top layer has gotten too thin to sand and refinish. Therefore, give preference to a solid floor.
Moreover, whether it’s a solid or engineered floor, the floor comes prefinished or unfinished. Prefinished floors are easier to install if you have got enough money, it’s a good idea.
Grain pattern
Logs are cut in plain, swan, rift swan, and quarter swan ways. Therefore, we get three different patterns. You will be asked to choose between the grain patterns as well. Find whether traditional undulating, long linear consistent grain or rift with irregular figuring pattern suits your house the most.
Width
Lastly, you have to take the plank width under consideration as well. Seven inches is considered a standard size. If not wider, make sure the plank is at least 7 inches in width. It will make the installation hassle-free.
How to install the hardwood floor?
Now that the hardwood has been chosen, here comes the trickiest part; installing the hardwood floor. However, here is the step-by-step guide for easy installation.
- Have all the tools; To install the hardwood floor, you will be required to at least have a drill, drill bits, flooring nailers, hammer, pry bar, and saw.
- Find the appropriate installation method; Several installation methods are adopted to install the hardwood floor to perfection. If it’s a solid hardwood floor, the experts recommend nailing or stapling the floor down. Whereas, the engineered hardwood floor is fastened, glued, or installed as a floating floor. So, if you have chosen solid hardwood, prepare to nail or staple. However, if it’s engineered wood, get ready to fasten or glue the floor down.
- Prepare the space; Now that you have chosen the method, it’s time to prepare the floor. Make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, and flat.
- Install the floor; Once the space is ready, lay floor pieces carefully, use spacers for extension, and follow the manufacturer’s direction to install the floor to perfection. Since each type requires a different installation procedure, a specific procedure can not be suggested.
