Getting Started with Hardwood Floor Installation

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Getting Started with Hardwood Floor Installation

Posted On : Sep-03-2011 | seen (1028) times | Article Word Count : 557 |

There are many home improvement projects that can be completed around the home, but installing hardwood flooring is one of the most rewarding. Hardwood floors are beautiful,

There are many home improvement projects that can be completed around the home, but installing hardwood flooring is one of the most rewarding. Hardwood floors are beautiful, add value to the home and with proper care, can last for a lifetime. More importantly, when you carry out the hardwood floor installation on your own, you have a sense of achievement that will be forever remembered and enjoyed by your family each day.

Like other home improvement projects, installing hardwood flooring takes a bit of preparation. The most important aspect to consider is the type of wood flooring that you plan to install. Gone are the days when solid planks were the only choice; now the market is rich in engineered wood and laminate selections. Even within these types of flooring choices, there are many variations.

For example, do you plan on having prefinished or unfinished planks? Prefinished wood comes sanded and stained in the color of your choice. These planks can be installed right away and don’t require any work beforehand. Unfinished wood will need to have sanding and staining done, so if you decide to go this route, you’ll need to factor in the additional time. Although unfinished wood requires more work, some DIY-ers enjoy the added versatility that it provides. You can lay the flooring and choose to stain it at a later date; a perfect solution when you haven’t decided on a stain color.

Generally speaking, the most difficult hardwood floor installation is solid wood. This type of flooring can only be installed on above grade applications, as it cannot be exposed to moisture. It can be placed on a standard raised plywood surface or on a concrete slab. The area should be clean, dry and stable. Since the flooring will react to temperature changes, it’s important to let the planks acclimate to their environment before installation. Leave the boards in the room they will be installed in for several days before starting the project.

With these limitations to solid wood floors, many homeowners are opting for engineered wood floors instead. These selections feature a plywood center and hardwood veneer exterior. Not only are they more durable, but also more stable. You also don’t have to worry about sanding or finishing the floorboards or sticking to below grade applications. To keep consistent with these upgraded features, engineered wood flooring offers an easy installation process. Newer varieties have snap-and-lock features that allow the boards to lock together like puzzle pieces. This means no hammering and nailing as with solid wood flooring.

Another option is laminate, although laminate is not real wood. It does look like the real thing however, especially when investing in a quality laminate construction. The only disadvantage is that it creates a more hollow sound, which some homeowners say is a telltale sign of laminate. On the upside, laminate is durable and long-lasting, while offering scratch-resistant properties. It can be installed just about anywhere, including below grade applications and full baths. Like engineered wood, the hardwood floor installation is completed with a snap-and-lock installation. The boards then “float” over the subflooring instead of being hammered and nailed into the ground.

With DIY options for hardwood floor installation, you can enjoy a beautiful home for a fraction of the cost, while ensuring the quality of workmanship.

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<h1>Getting Started with Hardwood Floor Installation</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Charlie D Dima.aspx'>Charlie D Dima</a> There are many home improvement projects that can be completed around the home, but installing hardwood flooring is one of the most rewarding. Hardwood floors are beautiful, add value to the home and with proper care, can last for a lifetime. More importantly, when you carry out the hardwood floor installation on your own, you have a sense of achievement that will be forever remembered and enjoyed by your family each day.

Like other home improvement projects, installing hardwood flooring takes a bit of preparation. The most important aspect to consider is the type of wood flooring that you plan to install. Gone are the days when solid planks were the only choice; now the market is rich in engineered wood and laminate selections. Even within these types of flooring choices, there are many variations.

For example, do you plan on having prefinished or unfinished planks? Prefinished wood comes sanded and stained in the color of your choice. These planks can be installed right away and don’t require any work beforehand. Unfinished wood will need to have sanding and staining done, so if you decide to go this route, you’ll need to factor in the additional time. Although unfinished wood requires more work, some DIY-ers enjoy the added versatility that it provides. You can lay the flooring and choose to stain it at a later date; a perfect solution when you haven’t decided on a stain color.

Generally speaking, the most difficult hardwood floor installation is solid wood. This type of flooring can only be installed on above grade applications, as it cannot be exposed to moisture. It can be placed on a standard raised plywood surface or on a concrete slab. The area should be clean, dry and stable. Since the flooring will react to temperature changes, it’s important to let the planks acclimate to their environment before installation. Leave the boards in the room they will be installed in for several days before starting the project.

With these limitations to solid wood floors, many homeowners are opting for engineered wood floors instead. These selections feature a plywood center and hardwood veneer exterior. Not only are they more durable, but also more stable. You also don’t have to worry about sanding or finishing the floorboards or sticking to below grade applications. To keep consistent with these upgraded features, engineered wood flooring offers an easy installation process. Newer varieties have snap-and-lock features that allow the boards to lock together like puzzle pieces. This means no hammering and nailing as with solid wood flooring.

Another option is laminate, although laminate is not real wood. It does look like the real thing however, especially when investing in a quality laminate construction. The only disadvantage is that it creates a more hollow sound, which some homeowners say is a telltale sign of laminate. On the upside, laminate is durable and long-lasting, while offering scratch-resistant properties. It can be installed just about anywhere, including below grade applications and full baths. Like engineered wood, the hardwood floor installation is completed with a snap-and-lock installation. The boards then “float” over the subflooring instead of being hammered and nailed into the ground.

With DIY options for hardwood floor installation, you can enjoy a beautiful home for a fraction of the cost, while ensuring the quality of workmanship.
About the Author: Charlie Dima writes out of Earth City, MO about home improvement tips and DIY projects. Always looking for the best <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.carpetone.com/hardwood.aspx">hardwood floor installation</a> choices and well-known brands, she tends to end up shopping at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.carpetone.com">http://www.carpetone.com</a> more often than not. Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Getting-Started-with-Hardwood-Floor-Installation_79145.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Getting Started with Hardwood Floor Installation_79145.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Getting Started with Hardwood Floor Installation_79145.aspx

Author Resource :
Charlie Dima writes out of Earth City, MO about home improvement tips and DIY projects. Always looking for the best hardwood floor installation choices and well-known brands, she tends to end up shopping at http://www.carpetone.com more often than not.

Keywords : hardwood floor, hardwood floor installation, floor installation, engineered wood,

Category : Home and Family : Interior Design

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