Hardwood floors have become a popular option for homeowners to install in new homes or during a remodel. The flooring helps freshen up space and add value to the home. There are a few key things to understand about installing hardwood floors. The many options make hardwood a valuable flooring option to elevate your living space.
Pre-Installation Checklist
Before you can install hardwood flooring, you need to measure the space. Measure the length and width then multiply to determine the square footage. The sub-floor should be at least ¾” plywood without squeaks. Clean floors after removing shoe-molding. Heavy-duty flooring paper should be stapled to the sub-floor with a 4” overlap. Quality paper acts as a vapor and moisture barrier beneath the flooring. Mark the location of the joists along the baseboards with a pencil.
Floor Choices
Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of options. Hardwood comes in a variety of species, stains, and widths. You also need to decide if you want true hardwood, vinyl or laminate. A lot may come down to cost or the softness of the wood. Some hardwoods such as maple are beautiful but may require additional maintenance work than others such as oak. Whichever option you choose to use, purchase 10-15 percent more than the needed square footage. The extra pieces come in handy when mistakes are made or boards are irregular.
Basic Installation
There are a few different ways the wood flooring can be installed depending on the product purchased. Laminate floors and engineered floors require underlayment pads using the floating method, ideal for installation over concrete or wood floors. The underlayment allows the floor to expand and contract when temperatures or humidity levels vary. Nail or staple down installations is used with both engineered flooring and solid flooring over a wood sub-floor. The paper acts as a moisture barrier allowing the new flooring to cure and last longer. The paper easily staples to the sub-floor and comes in a roll making it easy to install.
Adding Underlayments
Regardless of the hardwood flooring chosen, stapling the felt paper to the sub-floor helps you protect your investment. An underlayment can be added underneath most wood floor options on top of the paper. The underlayment helps reduce noise, add cushion and provide insulation. Too much isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Once you decide on the right hardwood flooring option for your home, protect your new investment for years to come with a moisture barrier and underlayment pads. A new floor can add value to your home and make your living space more aesthetically pleasing.
