A Guide to Installing Hardwood Floors – DIY

A Guide to Installing Hardwood Floors – DIY

January 23, 2013
Chase Heckendorn
DIY

At a certain point in a person’s life they realize that their home needs a fresh look, others just want to upgrade certain areas of an older house. For those out there that want to change their floor and are brave enough to Do it themselves, here is some advice on how to make the job easier.

2nd Floor Hardwoods

As you may know, there almost always are pros and cons to taking on a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Thanks to Technology advancements in the construction of hardwood floors are easier to install. The positive side of a DIY effort is usually the cost. When it comes to flooring, a successful installation is certainly one of the most rewarding projects one can achieve. New wood flooring can transform a room and add warmth, beauty, and style.

When it comes to Home improvement projects, labor is often the largest expense. Before embarking into installing a hardwood floor, there are certain factors one should consider first:

•          Can you get a professional look on your own?

•          How much time will it take to install hardwood floors?

•          How much money will you save if you do it yourself?

Let us begin; which type of wood floor would be best for your project? There are several things to keep in mind when choosing the appropriate type of wood flooring for your home.

Solid hardwoods may require a little more maintenance than engineered wood flooring, but if maintained, solid wood floors will hold their value better than engineered wood. In addition, deciding between strip, plank or parquet is a matter of taste. If you like thin, long planks of wood, you should choose strip flooring. If you prefer the aesthetic of very wide planks of wood, then plank flooring is the better choice. Plank flooring may require some extra work during installation, and its cost can be higher than strip flooring.

Types of Floors

  • Solid Wood Flooring
  • Strip flooring
  • Plank flooring
  • Parquet flooring
  • Engineered Wood Flooring
  • Acrylic-impregnated Wood Flooring

Next important decision to make when installing a hardwood floor is to determine what kind of wood one would like. There are certain aspects that need to be taken into account, like  substance and style, lightwood may be more appropriate for a casual setting, while dark wood is used more for formal surroundings. The easiest way to determine kind of wood iswhatever you like and fits into your budget. Remember that different types of woods can vary greatly in price.

Types of Wood

  •   Red oak
  •   White oak
  •   Birch
  •   Beech
  •   Pine
  •   Cherry
  •   Douglas fir

 

Before setting the first Piece:

Wood flooring is typically one of the last job in case of remodeling. To avoid physical damage to the surface, be sure it is placed after all construction and  installations is finished. Make sure the area is dry and clean too.

Installing

After choosing the type and finish it’s time to install the new floor. But, first, you have to make one last decision. There are four installation methods from which to choose:

Nail Down – Nails are used to fasten the wood to the subfloor. This method is often used with thin wood flooring.

Staple Down – Staples are used instead of nails to attach the floor to the subfloor. This method is simpler than the nail down method.

Glue Down – Engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. The wood is adhered to the subfloor with a strong adhesive.

Floating – This is the fastest and easiest way of installation can be placed any surface. Floating floors are not attached to any subfloor, they simply float above it. Either adhesive is applied to the boards to keep them together, or the boards are made to simply snap together. Usually a thin carpet is placed between the wood floor and the subfloor to protect from moisture and reduce noise.

 

The way to determine how to place wood flooring depends on what kind and type of floor you decided to use and at times how your home is built.

Flooring can not just give your home a cleaner fresher look, the value of any property will go up and make it more attractive for potential buyers. If you are thinking of flooring a room yourself, we say , go for it. Not only will you save money, but also the satisfaction that comes with a a DIY project. Most places that sell wood flooring can help you get started. If you have any questions or  find yourself stuck during your project go to any hardware store and ask a professional how to finish the job.

And with any DIY project have fun and Good Luck !!