Unveiling the Beauty of Hardwood Floors: A Step-By-Step Installation Guide
Unveiling and restoring hardwood floors is not only a satisfying DIY project but can also increase the value of your home. They’re easy to clean, promote a healthier living environment, and will last for generations.
Denver hardwood floors seamlessly blend with various design styles, from rustic and traditional to contemporary and minimalistic. One such flooring style is hand-distressed hardwood.
Preparation
With today’s hardwood flooring, the options for your home are nearly limitless. Solid and engineered wood floors, prefinished or site-finished wood floors, various wood species, grain patterns, and custom designs exist.
When choosing a hardwood floor, consider the design vision for your space and lifestyle needs. Harder woods like oak, maple, and hickory are durable and hold up well in high-traffic areas of your home, while softwoods such as cedar, pine, and fir need more care and maintenance.
Also, consider the environmental impact of your hardwood flooring choice. Solid hardwood uses more of a live tree than its engineered counterpart but can be recycled or reclaimed at the end of its useful life. Be sure to purchase a hardwood floor from a reputable supplier that follows Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guidelines. Before installing your new floor, acclimate the product according to manufacturer instructions. It is recommended that acclimating be done for all types of hardwood flooring, both solid and engineered.
Installation
Hardwood floors look beautiful in any room. They’re especially good in areas where foot traffic and spills are commonplace, such as the living room, dining area, and hallways.
Domestic hardwoods are available in various colors, grain patterns, and hardnesses. Oak, maple, and hickory are popular traditional or contemporary design choices. Exotic woods, like acacia, jatoba and cumaru, can add a modern or tropical style to your home.
The type of cut performed during the manufacturing process can impact the appearance of your wood flooring. Solid wood is cut in two primary ways, with the growth ring pattern appearing either parallel to or perpendicular to the face of the plank.
A solid wood floor is vulnerable to changes in humidity and temperature, which can cause warping and shifting of the boards. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, has a plywood core and is less affected by environmental conditions. This type of flooring is a good choice for basements or below-grade rooms.
Finishing
When you’re ready to sand and stain your new hardwood floors, it’s important to remember that the wood is still sensitive to moisture. It’s best to install the flooring only after all interior drywall, painting, and construction have been completed and the building has had an opportunity to dry for a few days.
Before you lay the first board, roll out strips of a vapor barrier underlayment (Red Rosin is an inexpensive choice) and staple it to the subfloor perpendicular to joists with at least a 4″ overlap. Face nail the first row of boards into place and then blind nail the second row, making sure to countersink all nails and tap firmly with a tapping block and mallet.
Replace shoe molding, re-caulk all nail holes, and use putty to fill any remaining gaps and imperfections on the floor. When laying the last row, leave at least a 3/8″ gap between it and the wall to allow for expansion in warm, humid weather.
Maintenance
Wood floors add warmth and beauty to any home. They’re durable, a good investment, and can increase a home’s value. They pair well with various decor schemes, from traditional to modern and everything in between. Though hardwood floors are at the top of flooring pricing, their longevity, and chameleon-like design flexibility make them worth the investment.
As with any floor, it’s important to maintain your hardwood flooring properly to keep them in top shape. Regular sweeping, mopping, and dusting prevent dirt and debris from settling between floorboards. Placing throw rugs at doorways helps minimize dust and moisture tracked in from outside. Regular deep cleaning (every three to six months) keeps the eye-pleasing beauty of wood floors.