Knowing how to install wood floors is not as intimidating as we think before. Today, we have a lot of do-it-yourself resources for anyone. Hence, the digital era allows everyone to know and build skills not taught in schools. The world of YouTube makes anyone leave the traditional knowledge and skills building.

There are necessary skills you need to know and learn about installing wood floors. Wood floors will stay long and preserve its aesthetic beauty and durability by the flawless and spotless installation techniques. Moreover, you need a little knowledge, and you can do installing beautiful and elegant wood floors.

Preparation stage

Moisture is essential in wood flooring installation preparation. It is critical that the relative humidity is between 30-60% during and after the installation. Monitor and manage the room and material temperature and make sure it sustains between 15- 15 degrees. Therefore, the storage of the wood packs must be placed in an environment in this temperature before installing in at least 24 hours.

A wood moisture meter can be a tool that you can use to measure moisture content. By just touching the wood surface could not determine potential moisture content. If the equilibrium moisture content is not achieved, there will be flooring problems that you will experience. As a result, you will potentially increase your cost because you will keep on repairing your wood flooring.

Subflooring

Wood subfloors must have the same moisture content on your selected wood flooring cover. The lumber manufacturers will dry wood up to the standard level of moisture content. However, it will vary depending on the use of wood products.

You should test the moisture to all corners of the room. Widely, consider the exterior design and plumbing because they can cause potential problems, i.e., leaking and water intrusions.

Preparing the Wood Floors

Usually, the wood floor manufacturers have specifications on how long the wood floors should adapt to the environment before you install. Indeed, to help the wood floors adapt, you open them in the packages.

Installing the wood floors

·         Prepare the room

• Remove the carpet and padding if the room has carpet. If the place has an excellent wood and vinyl floor, you can install the floating deck at the top
• It would be better if you remove the molding
• Vacuum the subfloor
• Roll-out the rubber-foam underlayment in perpendicular to the direction of the planks. It will be a cushion of the floating floor
• Cut the edges of foam underlayment and be sure they don’t overlap. Secure the seams with 2-inch wide duct tape
• At the door, trim the door casings and jambs so the flooring will slip underneath. You can use handsaw when cutting

·         Lay the planks

• Lay the planks for the first row. At the end joints, you can cut only the first or last piece. Install all central planks in a row in full length. Set the first plank in place with its fronting edge facing out. Slip ½ inch-thick space between the plank and the wall.
• Install the second plank at end-to-end with the first plank. Use a mallet and short tapping block to connect the planks.
• Use handsaw or saber saw when cutting the last plank. Remember, when cutting using a jigsaw, hold the plank upside down to avoid splinters at the top
• Notch a plank to fit at the wall corner and leave ½ inch space between the notch and the wall

·         Finishing

• Hide the expanding area with baseboard molding. Nail the frame to the wall and not in the flooring
• Nail the quarter-round shoe molding to the baseboard. Paint the molding before installing.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us