The Simple Guide to Installing Hardwood Floors

When installing hardwood flooring, it is necessary to know what is available and how it is installed. Without a good knowledge of how this is done, you may end up with inferior looking hardwood flooring that does not last for long. Here are a few things to remember from experts at Flooring Installation Houston.

To begin the installation, the flooring must be measured. This will allow the exact size of each plank to be used in the raking process. The distance between each piece of the board needs to be measured so that the boards can be spaced evenly. By using an inline micrometer, this distance is easily measured and may be copied down for future use. This ensures that each board is laid properly and will have enough spacing to allow for the proper installation of each row.

Once the boards are measured and copied down, they are ready for installation. The hardwood flooring should be laid on top of each other and backed with insulating felt. It is important to smooth out any jagged areas so that the flooring is flat once installed. Once the flooring has been installed, a matching underlayment should be laid. This will help keep the floor dry during the first few days and will also help the flooring last through the first few years of use.

If the flooring will be placed over an existing concrete subfloor, pre-mix the subfloor before laying the solid hardwood flooring. This will speed up the installation time and make the installation process much easier. For an installation over an existing concrete floor, only drywall is required. Pre-mixing the subfloor will also speed up the installation time as the concrete will be ready much sooner. The hardest part about installing solid hardwood flooring over an existing concrete floor is driving the nails into the concrete. Most homeowners can accomplish this task with relative ease.

When installing hardwood installation over an existing floor, most experts recommend using stainless steel floor staples. Staple guns are not necessary because the staples can be driven into the hardwood using a hammer. A few extra nuts and washers are needed to position the staples properly.

One factor that homeowners often overlook when it comes to installing hardwood floors is refinished hardwood. When hardwood floors are refinished they are simply sanded and re-finished. The process is perfect for those who do not want to spend the time refinishing hardwood floors. Refinished hardwood planks are usually only available in limited styles because of the limited number of designs available. Most homeowners select standard rectangles and squares.

If you are targeting a specific wood species for your flooring then you should make sure the moisture level is at its proper level before installing the floor. For example, if you are installing oak flooring then you need to check the humidity level to ensure that the oak will grow properly. The moisture level should never be left below 40% unless specified by the manufacturer.

Once the flooring has been installed, you should thoroughly sand the floors and prepare them for staining or painting. You can achieve excellent results by using an electric sander. You may also use a combination of sandpaper and a staining pad. To achieve a professional look, you should sand the concrete floors with a grinder and then apply a satin or polyurethane finish to protect the surface. Other options include using epoxy or bonding the boards together with a joint compound.

Another important step when installing hardwood floors is to prepare the subfloor. This includes cleaning the subfloor using household cleaners and then putting a new finish on the subfloor. Cleaning the subfloor allows the floors to be clean and dry after the installation process. You should avoid using household bleach or ammonia because these cleaners can damage the floor. Epoxy finishes provide durable protection against stains and scratches.

After cleaning the subfloor, you should then install the flooring. You should place the first few boards on top of a clean, dry, flat surface. To get optimal results, you should position the air compressor at an approximate angle of 45 degrees from the floor. When installing the first few tongue joints, the air compressor should be positioned in the middle of the tongue and the compressor should be turned on.

For the first few layers of planks, you can use your finger to push the planks into place while you apply pressure on the air compressor. It is recommended that you overlap each plank by approximately one inch. When installing the planks, it is important to nail each plank down on its proper side for maximum stability. Once all the planks are in place, you should push the flooring through the trailer and into position.