Do It Yourself Hardwood Flooring Installation

Hardwood flooring adds a nice look to any home. It is also quite durable and can last much longer then carpeting. Hardwood flooring can be pricey, so for the home owner looking to save a little on putting hardwood flooring in their home, a good option is installing it yourself.

Hardwood floors can be installed on almost any surface. It is important, though, to prepare the surface before installation to ensure the hardwood flooring lasts without damage from moisture or other factors.

Before installing a hardwood floor you should prepare the sub floor. This involves removing any old flooring or carpeting. You may also need to sand the floor, as well. If there are problems with the floor being uneven you should install something like an oriented strand board to give a smooth, flat surface for your hardwood flooring.

Prior to installation you may need to remove door jams and trim from the walls to avoid damaging it during the installation process.

To install your hardwood flooring you will need to gather a few tools. You will need a circular saw, a drill and basic carpentry tools. You will also need staples and caulking.

There are both pre-finished and unfinished choices in hardwood flooring. The pre-finished type of hardwood flooring helps to really cut down on installation time, but it is also more expensive. The choice will really depend on your budget and how much time you have to work on the floor installation.

To begin your hardwood flooring installation you will need to lay out your plan. You should have a good idea how you would like the finished floor to look and how you will go about installing it. You may need to mark the floor with reference lines so you can ensure that the flooring is being laid straight and even.

It is important to remember when installing hardwood flooring that there needs to be a gap of about 1/2 inch around the perimeter of the flooring to allow for expansion. This gap will help prevent problems on down the road with warping and other crowding issues.

You should start with the first board. Drill holes in the floor and the wood. The holes in the flooring will be covered with wood plugs when you are finished with installation. As you progress you will have to cut boards to different sizes to fit. It is very important throughout the whole process to keep everything even and lined up in order for the finished floor to look good.

If you did not buy the pre-finished hardwood flooring then once installation is complete you will need to finish the floor by sanding and polishing it.

During the process of hardwood floor installation it can help to take advice from seasoned pros. Some helpful tips can go a long way to making the process much easier and faster.

To determine a starting point you may want to use a focal point in the room. If you are careful to align your first row of boards then you should have no troubles with keep in the rest of the flooring straight and even as you install it. Make sure you have all your tools assembled before getting started. This will just help the whole process go smoother and help avoid having to walk over the newly laid flooring.

Installing a hardwood floor yourself can be quite simply depending upon the type of flooring you buy. Today there are many options. You can even buy snap together type flooring that makes for quick and easy installation. Whatever style of hardwood you buy, installing it yourself is a great way to save a lot of money and get a lot of satisfaction from your new hardwood floor.

Sources:
www.hammerzone.com
www.bobvila.com

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