Installing hardwood flooring isn’t complicated if you have the necessary equipment, knowledge, and patience.

A solid hardwood floor is always a good choice. It is one of the most effective methods to raise the value of a property to update the flooring. Even though design trends come and go.    

Installing hardwood flooring might appear to be a complex process for a homeowner. However, it’s real that not every do-it-yourselfer is up to the task. A lovely hardwood floor is the product of meticulous planning and a little bit of know-how. This blog post isn’t intended to be a how-to guide for installing hardwood flooring but rather a list of typical mistakes to avoid for those brave people taking on this task.

If you want to learn more about hardwood flooring, visit our blog.

Choose your Wooden Floor Carefully

There are many different sorts of hardwood flooring, so be sure you get the right one. Hardwood flooring is available in a range of grain patterns, wood species, board widths, and surface coatings. All of these will be crucial to you since you want the floor to match your decor exactly. It’s also essential to choose whether you want natural hardwood or synthetic hardwood. This decision may be made for you depending on how you wish to lay the floor. If you have underfloor warming or desire to float your floor over an underlay, engineered hardwood is the way to go.

The subfloor sometimes determines the type and thickness when you are installing hardwood flooring. For example, wooden floors need at least 18mm of thickness if they are attached to floor joists.

How busy is the area?‘ is another factor to consider while laying wood flooring. Some woods are just more solid than others. If you have a busy corridor or living room, a sturdy wood like Oak can be a good choice. You might also use a more sensitive wood, such as Walnut, for a more peaceful environment.

Examine your Subfloor

Putting down hardwoods won’t help if your subfloor is in bad shape. A generally flat flooring is required, with any height fluctuations should be less than 3/16″ and over a 6′ span. There are several methods for leveling a subfloor. When OSB or plywood isn’t adequately secured, the simplest scenario is to add a few screws to fix the problem. To ensure consistency, more radical techniques include planing the floor joists or even putting an extra layer of plywood with a matching filler.

Prepare your Subfloor Ready for Installation

It is essential to prepare your subfloor for installing hardwood flooring effectively. It is possible that your hardwood flooring could be harmed if it is not done correctly. The most crucial things to look for are flat, level, clean, and dry subfloors.

• Make sure your subfloor is flat and level using a spirit level. If it isn’t, you’ll need to line your floorboards with plywood (if it’s a wooden subfloor) or apply a self-leveling compound (if it’s a concrete subfloor).
• Using a Moisture Meter, determine the Moisture Content (MC) of your subfloor. A wooden subfloor should have a moisture content of no more than 16% MC. A concrete flooring should have a moisture content of less than 6%. Allow additional time for your subfloor to dry if it isn’t dry enough.
• Your subfloor must be spotless. Remove any remaining detergents or adhesives from the subfloor, then brush away the dust and debris.

Acclimate The Wood Before Installing Hardwood Flooring

When there is more moisture in the air, wood expands, and wood contracts when there is less moisture in the air. This is referred to as the wood movement. Hardwoods must acclimatize to the environment in which they’ll be placed. Gaps in the winter and perhaps cupping in the summer will occur if the wood is not properly acclimated. To avoid this, open and spread the cases for a week and ensure the A/C or heat is set to normal. Hardwoods should never be stored in a damp environment, such as an unfinished basement.

The wood will expand and contract as moisture levels vary, even after adequate acclimation. That’s why you should allow a 1/4-inch space around the edge of your installation.

Leave an Expansion Gap

You must provide an expansion space when installing hardwood flooring. This space should extend around the room’s perimeter, including through entrances, piping, and fireplaces. At least a 10mm expansion space is required. This is necessary to allow your hardwood flooring to expand and contract in response to variations in temperature and humidity. If you don’t provide an expansion gap, your flooring won’t grow and easily be damaged.

There’s no need to be concerned about the appearance of the expansion gap after your floor is installed. Hardwood flooring accessories such as beading, skirting, door strips, and pipe coverings will be used to conceal it.

Correct Equipment to Install Your Hardwood Flooring

Before beginning any activity, it is always a good idea to have the correct equipment. Consider what you or your installer would require to assist you in installing your hardwood floor. For example, you may need to underlay if you’re floating your floor. If you have tongue and groove flooring, you will almost certainly require WPVA glue to seal the seams. And, if you’re putting down a new floor, will you need nails? Don’t fool yourself into thinking that a jigsaw can create rip cuts or that a pneumatic flooring nailer isn’t necessary. The correct hardwood flooring installation equipment will simplify your task, and the result will be much better. You’ll need at the very least:

• When each row hits the wall, use a miter saw to make cross cuts.
• Table saws are used to make rip cuts when a full board width is not possible.
• For blind nailing and top nailing, use a finish nailer.
• Purchase a compressor to power all of the various nailers. Make sure the pressure is adjusted correctly so that each fastener is sunk perfectly.
• Jamb Saw, which is a basic handsaw used to cut doorjambs.
• Tape measurer, chalk line, and nail set

If you think you don’t have the right equipment, you can always count on us to do the installation.

First Row Must be Straight When You Are Installing Hardwood Flooring

The first row of hardwoods must be put straight, as all subsequent rows will be set with it. As you proceed across the area, a crooked beginning row will result in huge curves. Because outside walls aren’t always square, draw a line parallel to an interior wall opposite your starting place. Next, mark the floor joist positions and place the hardwoods perpendicular to them. At every opportunity, make sure to push a fastener into a floor joist. Finally, consider what obstructions exist, such as a fireplace hearth, and how various starting places will simplify the process.

The Right Track to Put Your Hardwood Flooring

It is totally up to you which way you choose to put your hardwood flooring. However, it would be best if you considered how you want the room to seem. Most people lay their floors lengthwise to follow the flow of light entering in from a window or entrance. As the light shines on the grain pattern, it helps to showcase the natural beauty of your flooring. It would help if you also thought about the room’s design and size. Installing hardwood flooring throughout the length of a room might make it appear larger if it is small. 

If you’re attaching the floor to the existing floorboards, there’s one requirement to remember: the flooring must be installed perpendicular to the floorboards. This will assist in giving the flooring strength and keep everything in place.

You can visit this blog post for more information on installing hardwood flooring. 

Add any Finishing Touches to The Floor

When you’ve completed installing hardwood flooring, you’ll undoubtedly want some flooring accessories to complete the look. As previously stated, there will be expansion gaps around the outside of your space. These may be readily concealed with skirting board, beading (quarter round), door bars, ramps, and pipe covers, among other flooring accessories.

Cleaning and Maintenance of your New Hardwood Flooring

Cleaning and maintaining your new hardwood flooring is something you’ll want to do to keep it looking good. It is simple to clean any wooden floor. Begin by sweeping. Any dust and grime will be removed as a result of this. After that, scrub your floor with a wooden floor cleaning spray and mop at least once a week. This can keep your floor looking dazzling and fresh for a long time. You may also take a few simple precautions to protect your new floor. Before strolling on your floor, remember to take off your outdoor shoes. Spills on your floor should be cleaned up right away. It’s also a good idea to use felt protective pads on the bottoms of heavy furniture or goods. The guidelines are meant to assist you in getting the most out of your new wooden floor. Don’t hesitate to contact prime home if you have any questions or would like further information.

Sources:

Builddirect Team (19 May 2011) Hardwood flooring Installation: 5 Tips to Avoid the Pitfalls builddirect

https://www.builddirect.com/blog/hardwood-flooring-installation-5-tips/

Elliot C (2 May 2018)  Top ten tips for Installing Wood Flooring ambiencehardwoodflooring

https://www.ambiencehardwoodflooring.co.uk/wood-flooring-guide/top-ten-tips-for-installing-wood-flooring/

Architecturaldigest team (9 Feb 2018) How to Choose & Install Hardwood Floors: A Complete Guide architecturaldigest

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/wood-floors-guide