HOW TO INSTALL HARDWOOD FLOORING

4 December 2009
HOW TO INSTALL HARDWOOD FLOORING

Wooden floors are available in many widths and grades. Selecting the type of wood is going to be your very first decision when you are ready to install hardwood flooring.

The immediate step to hardwood floor installation is to pick from unfinished wood and pre-finished wood. In many cases the pre-finished wood is the most preferred one as it is already sanded, finished and prepared for installation.

The unfinished wood is only used for custom projects. If by any chance, you choose the unfinished one, make sure it does not get wet during transportation because this will cause it to swell up.

When you have finished choosing the finishes, fit the nails on the plank. Get the right tools for this job and make sure you research it thoroughly. Remove the baseboards but do not break them. Later put the edges over one another, about 4 to 6 inches apart. Now glue the seams. The flooring is generally laid out corresponding to the longest wall in the room. The longest pieces must be laid near the door.

Use spacers in between the planks to let the boards adjust accordingly. Place the first set of planks into the position and the groove side next to the wall. You will need to nail through the face of the planks, this will help to hide them under the base board.

The last step for hardwood flooring is to tap the planks into place. Use a floor stapler to bind the nail pieces through the edge. The procedure can be lengthy but once you have seen your beautiful new floor, you will be so pleased that you chose hardwood flooring.