5 Tips to Installing a Hardwood Floor
Hardwood flooring adds a sophisticated and warm touch to your home. You can consider using it while building or remodeling your home. This technique is more expensive compared to other conventional flooring options but lasts for long. Selecting the best and the right type of a hardwood to use will determine its longevity. Proper installation is essential. Ensure you get a professional who will provide a durable and a quality result that will equate to the value of your money. You may opt to get a professional or do a DIY installation for your home. Here are pointers that will help you achieve the best hardwood floor installation:
- Getting The Right Tools
A successful installation requires essential tools such as hardwood flooring nailers, saws, pry bars, a measuring tape, a square, and floor installation kits. You will need to cut and nail the hardwood accurately. Different companies provide a variety of tools. It is essential to consider the reviews and recommendations from professionals about the best tool models to pick.
- Estimate The Floor Area
You need to measure the floor area to determine the number of materials you are going to use. Seek professional help during measurement for accuracy purposes. The length and width of the room against the floor area ensure that there are no irregular boards because of cutting mistakes.
- Determining The Preferred Installation Method
The thickness and width of the hardwood and place of installation will influence the fitting method. There are two approaches: the engineered and solid hardwood flooring. The engineered option uses the mechanical fitting for gluing and fastening of the wood. On the other hand, solid hardwood flooring uses nails and staples on the subfloor for fitting. Both methods can be challenging even for DIY experts. It is an expensive investment that you do not want to mess. Hiring a professional is an excellent option if you lack complete knowledge of proper installation.
- Tighten The Floor
Squeaky floors are annoying. Lack of proper installation of a wooden floor makes it lose and noisy. You need to ensure that there is no air in within the sub-floor. Tighten the floor joist to get rid of the air. It is easier to avoid the squeaky floor by tightening it during the initial fitting than having to rectify it later. In case of the latter, consider accessing the floor joist from below by inserting glued shims between it and the sub-floor to eliminate the noise.
- Acclimation Of The Wood
Acclimation is recommended for solid hardwood flooring. It aims at establishing equilibrium to allow the wood functioning and adjustment to the environmental conditions within the structure. The primary environment conditions that are considered during acclimation are humidity, temperature, and moisture. For example, wood expansion is caused by increased moisture while less of it causes contractions. Wood movement can be avoided by maintaining normal heat levels through the AC. Leaving a quarter gap within the perimeter during installation can also moderate wood movement.