Hardwood floor installation is one of the most complex tasks for a do-it-yourselfer. The tasks involved can be extensive, involving measurements, cutting, polishing, and more. In addition, installation requires the careful use of tools such as a sander, angle grinder, and sandpaper. Once installed, many of the steps repeat themselves, making installation even more difficult. Here’s a look at how to install Hardwood Flooring Fairfax VA, as well as a few tips for the installation process.
First, learn about per square foot pricing for hardwood floors, including various rates for each plank. This information can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website or by calling the manufacturer directly. The per square foot price should be used in the context of the installation area size to determine the cost-per-planks. Also, be aware that different woods have different installation requirements, so it’s essential to consider this when assessing per square foot pricing.
Identify the three main hardwood flooring grain styles. They’re oak, pine, and heart pine. Each wood type has unique characteristics that affect installation. For example, oak is a durable wood that doesn’t need to be stained, while heart pine is a lighter-colored wood that does need to be stained.
Look at picture examples to decide on the style of hardwood flooring to install. There are solid, engineered, laminated, or plank options that look like wood in appearance. Engineered options tend to look like real wood, while laminated options look like wood with a laminate coating.
Many flooring stores offer prefinished or sanded selections. Prefinished floors can be purchased without having to do any installation at all, although installation may be necessary if the floor will require a subfloor to be installed. Sanded floors can be refinished with a finish if desired.
Consider your installation budget before selecting solid hardwood flooring. Solid floors can be much more expensive than engineering or laminated floorings. Also, solid hardwood flooring can be more difficult to install. Engineered flooring kits are available that include the necessary tools for installation, including a staple gun. Also, laminates can be applied over solid hardwood floors using an adhesive. Both engineered and solid hardwood flooring can be stained to meet your decorating needs.
When choosing hardwood flooring, you must also consider your entry way. If your room has a second floor, you will need to install the first floor boards first. After the first rows of boards have been installed, you will need to create a groove for the second row of boards. This can be accomplished by placing a board between the first and second rows of boards. You must leave at least half inches from the front of the board to the back of the board to create the groove. Once the second row of boards is installed, you will need to secure the boards into place with nylon hinges.
For an elegant, smooth look, try hardwood floor installation that includes nailing the nails and not using glue. Nails can be bought at home improvement stores as well as some major hardware stores. Professional hardwood floor installation experts should be used only when installing solid hardwood, especially when doing multiple boards at a time.
Nails can be purchased in two-by-eights, three-by-fours, and five-by-fours. All nails used for solid wood floors should be galvanized. Galvanized nails are made using long strands of metal instead of nails. This allows the nails to last longer. When installing the nails, make sure they are set on every board in the pattern. When the nails are not positioned in the correct pattern, the entire floorboards could be ruined.
Another hardwood floor installation technique involves using a tongue and groove method. The process involves installing the first two rows of boards face together. The nails will be placed through the tongue and groove in the first row. The nails are driven nails that are one-third as wide as the board’s width. On the second row, the first row is installed face down. The second row’s tongue and groove are installed just like the first row.
A hardwood floor installation can be very tricky. With proper tools, materials, and product instructions, an installation can be completed easily. To minimize the number of mistakes, it is important to follow all the product instructions and guidelines.
If you have an existing old flooring with beams and joists already installed, you need to first remove all old boards and then remove the beams and joist. You need to measure your floor space so that you can calculate how many boards you will need to install on the newly measured area. Then you need to measure the tongue and grove locations for the new boards so that you are able to install the boards according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, you need to screw the tongue and groove to the beams and joists with the help of the appropriate screws.