Installing Hardwood Floors: A Guide

Recent advances in the field of installing hardwood floors have made it easier than ever before. Installing hardwood floors no longer requires the assistance of a professional carpenter; it can easily be completed by a layperson. Pre-finished flooring is now available, saving the homeowner the work of sanding and finishing the floor, because all of this work is done on-site in the factory.

Hardwood floors add a touch of elegance to your home and several wood varieties other than the popular red oak are available in a range of colors and textures. You can search the Internet or make a scouting trip to a hardware shop to select the type of material you want to use in installing hardwood floors.

The pre-finished flooring can be bought from reliable merchants in your neighborhood or from online vendors. Stack the wood in the room for a couple of days so that the wood gets time to adjust to your home’s humidity level. As all the wood expands in hot weather, allow half-an-inch gap between the floor and the walls. This gap can be covered with baseboard molding strips later.

When installing your hardwood floors, there will be step by step instructions from the supplier. If you follow these details, you will get a professional look on your new floor. The wood panels come micro-beveled from the manufacturer to allow for expansion in the summer heat.

An old floor appearing well worn can also be refinished to give it a new life and fresh look. Prior to starting the job of refinish, all furniture, rugs, drapes and other articles on the floor have to be removed. It takes about three days for a refinished floor to be usable again. During this time, doors and windows of the room can be kept closed to prevent airborne dust settling on the floor. It is preferable to allow one more day, after the job is finished, before placing the furniture and other items back on the floor.

Laminate floors are very easy to install and are very low maintenance. They resist the scratches and stains commonly caused by heavy traffic and the wear and tear from kids and pets. The laminate floors are also manufactured with a tongue and groove interlocking system to make installation quick and easy.

The job of installing hardwood floors has become easier with factory-finished material that saves laborious sanding and finishing. A preliminary visit to hardware shops will reveal the range of hardwood varieties in several colors and textures. After the purchase, the material can be kept indoors for two-three days for acclimatization to the humidity inside the home. The step-by-step instructions from the supplier have to be followed while laying the flooring. Options are also available for refinished flooring to refurbish old floors. Even easier is the installation of laminate floors, which come with tongue and groove interlocking system. These are ideal for heavy traffic areas and require little maintenance.

- Christopher Smith