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Wood floor installation dos and don ’ ts
DO hire a professional if you have limited or no DIY flooring experience . Hardwood flooring installation is not generally a project for novice DIYers . Hardwood flooring projects may present some common challenges , but no two homes are the same . So unless they have prior experience installing floors in multiple rooms or homes , homeowners may save themselves time , trouble and a significant amount of money hiring a professional to do the job .
DON ’ T ignore the subfloor . New hardwoods won ’ t erase the problem of subfloors in poor condition . According to the home renovation experts at BobVila . com , squeaky floors could be an indication that the subfloor has begun to warp or twist . Sinking floors are another indicator of deteriorating subfloors . Subfloors should be somewhat level before new hardwoods are installed , so DIYers should inspect and address subfloor issues before installing new flooring .
Jaw-dropping features can sell a home in a heartbeat . A penthouse apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows and a panoramic view of a city skyline likely won ’ t prove a hard sell , nor will a home with an infinity pool overlooking a landscape of rolling hills . As awe-inspiring as such features can be , some more subtle components , such as authentic hardwood floors , also can do much to make a home more appealing to prospective buyers .
Hardwood flooring is a sought-after commodity . Data from the National Association of Realtors indicates that 54 percent of home buyers are willing to pay more for hardwood floors . In fact , NAR figures indicate that 28 percent of buyers between the ages of 35 and 54 consider hardwood floors “ very important ” when looking for a home . Homeowners who are considering selling their homes , or those who simply want to upgrade their existing flooring , may want to consider installing hardwood flooring . Though it ’ s a project best left to professionals , hardwood flooring can be installed by skilled DIYers . In such instances , homeowners may want to keep these dos and don ’ ts in mind .
DO expose wood flooring to the elements in your home prior to installation . The home improvement resource BuildDirect recommends acclimating hardwoods to the space where they will be installed . Skipping this important step could result in gaps during the winter and cupping over the summer . To acclimate hardwoods , open the boxes and spread them out for about a week while running the air conditioner or heater at normal levels . When storing hardwoods prior to installation , avoid keeping them in potentially moist areas like a basement .
DON ’ T skimp on tools . A DIY hardwood flooring installation might be less expensive than hiring a professional , but homeowners should resist any temptation to increase those savings further by purchasing less costly tools or fewer tools than is necessary to complete the job . BuildDirect notes that DIYers will need at least a miter saw , table saw , cleat-nailer or stapler , finish nailer , compressor , jamb saw , chalk line , nail set , and tape measurer when installing hardwood floors . Purchase all necessary tools and read product reviews to ensure each tool is up to the task .
Wood floors can be awe-inspiring . Some homeowners can install such flooring on their own , and the project can be much easier if they learn as much about installation as possible prior to beginning the project . n
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