Installing hardwood flooring is challenging, time consuming, and costly. However, with the right tools, expertise, and patience you can have an enduring natural beauty in your home. Follow this step by step guide to learn how to install wood floors.
Measure and Cut the Wood
Before you can begin installing hardwood flooring, you need to measure out the area where you plan to lay the floor. Once you know the dimensions of the room, you can cut the planks to size. You will also need a saw to make the cuts. There are different types of saws that are used for hardwood flooring but you will only need a standard homeowner saw. To cut hardwood, you need to make a cut at a 45-degree angle to split the plank in half. If you are cutting hardwood into smaller pieces, you will need to make a series of cuts, stopping when you get to the desired length. To mark the wood, you can use chalk or make marks by making a small notch on one side of the plank.
Install Subfloor
To make a subfloor for your hardwood floors, you will need a concrete or plywood subfloor board. This is a solid flooring that you lay over the surface of the joists beneath the surface of the existing floor. It is crucial that you use a subfloor that is specifically designed for installing hardwood flooring. You will also need a rubber sheet, which is a relatively thin sheet of rubber that is placed between the subfloor and the joists. This is to allow for the expansion and contraction of the wood planks without damaging the subfloor. Once you have your subfloor, it is time to lay the wood. You should take care when installing wood flooring, to avoid damaging the subfloor. It is best to have a friend help you to avoid lifting heavy objects.
Install Baseboards
Hardwood floors are usually painted at some point, but baseboards can be left bare wood. However, you might want to paint these too, to match the rest of the floors. Installing baseboards is fairly simple and straightforward. You can install baseboards with wire, and then cover them with a finish of your choice. You can also install decorative baseboards, but you should install baseboards before you paint. If you decide to paint the baseboards, you should use a primer and then a paint that is designed for wood floors. Baseboards should be about 1/4 inch below the surface of the floor, to ensure that they do not warp or warp when the floor expands and contracts with humidity.
Install Flooring
Now that your subfloor is in place and your baseboards are installed, it is time to install flooring over the subfloor. Once again, you will need a specific type of flooring that is designed for indoor installation. You can install vinyl flooring over your hardwood subfloor, but you might want to install an extra layer of protection, such as a layer of plywood. You can also use concrete, ceramic tile, natural stone, LVT, or hardwood engineered flooring. When you choose the type of flooring, you will need to decide on the size of the planks, as well as the pattern. This will help you to select a style that will look good with your home décor.
Sand and Finish the Floor
Once the flooring is in place and you are satisfied with the installation, it is time to sand the planks and apply a finish. There are many types of flooring, and it is best to choose one that has a high sheen or gloss. If you are using vinyl planks, you can apply an oil-based stain. Other types of flooring can be sanded and stained with an oil-based product. You will also need to apply a finish to protect the floor from water damage and wear. To ensure that the floor does not get damaged, it is best to choose an indoor flooring material, such as laminate or luxury vinyl tile.
Conclusion
You will need a saw to cut the wood planks to size, a subfloor and a saw to cut the wood into planks, a rubber sheet to protect the subfloor, and a specific type of flooring to install over the subfloor. There are many different types of flooring that you can choose from depending on your décor and space requirements. Once you have everything you will need, you can start the installation process.
