Steps To Install A Hardwood Floor

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Hardwood floor installation is a popular home improvement project that can add beauty, durability, and value to your house. However, installing hardwood floors is not a simple task and requires some planning, preparation, and skill.

Here are the typical steps of a hardwood floor installation

Choose the Flooring

Choose the right type of hardwood flooring for your space. There are many types of hardwood flooring available, such as solid, engineered, prefinished, unfinished, plank, strip, parquet, and more. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on factors such as the subfloor, the climate, the traffic, and the budget.

Measure Your Space

Measure the area where you want to install the hardwood flooring and order the materials accordingly. You should order about ten percent of the actual square footage to account for waste and cuts. You should also order the necessary tools and accessories, such as nails, glue, underlayment, vapor barriers, transition strips, baseboards, and molding.

Acclimate the New Flooring

Acclimate the hardwood flooring to the room where you will install it. This means letting the flooring sit in the room for at least three days to adjust to the temperature and humidity levels. Acclimation will prevent problems such as warping, buckling, or cracking later on.

Prepare the Subfloor

Prepare the subfloor for the installation. The subfloor is the surface on which you will lay the hardwood flooring. It should be clean, dry, level, and stable. You may need to remove any existing flooring, carpeting, or padding, as well as any nails, staples, or debris. You may also need to repair any cracks, holes, or uneven areas with filler or leveling compound. You should also install a vapor barrier or an underlayment over the subfloor to provide insulation, moisture protection, and sound absorption.

Lay the Floor

Start laying the hardwood flooring from one wall and work your way across the room. You should leave a gap of about 1/4 inch between the flooring and the wall to allow for expansion and contraction. You should also stagger the joints of the boards by at least six inches to create a natural look and avoid weak spots. Depending on the type of hardwood flooring you chose, you may need to nail, glue, or click the boards together.

Finish Your Floor

Clean up any dust or debris from the installation and apply a finish to your hardwood flooring if needed. Some types of hardwood flooring come prefinished and do not require any additional treatment. Others may need sanding, staining, or sealing to achieve the desired look and protection. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for finishing your hardwood flooring. 

Installing a hardwood floor is not an easy task. To have a professional install your flooring, contact a flooring specialist in your local area.

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