Do It Yourself (DIY)
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No matter which installation method you choose, the same basic installation principles apply to each method: 1) follow all manufacturer recommendations for installation, 2) rack the wood in advance to avoid "H" joints and stair stepping, and 3) allow for enough expansion area for the product being installed. Rule of thumb is to leave the same amount of space for expansion as the wood is thick.
You should always consider the environmental factors affecting your hardwood floor as well. In terms of overall environment, hardwood flooring is an option that should only be considered for a space that has controlled humidity and temperature fluctuations. Hardwood can easily become warped by excessive humidity, and this kind of damage is often not included in your warranty. So when you are considering laying floor in an area which is likely to remain unattended for long periods of time, like a cottage for instance, it may be a good idea to consider an engineered hardwood floors, Bamboo or laminate.
With so many types of flooring, there are installation-friendly features - such as a tongue and groove interlocking system, making it a good option for the handy do it yourselfer. Engineered flooring or laminate are good examples. Solid hardwood flooring tends to be more expensive per square foot so mistakes during installation will be more expensive. A safe bet is to budget a little extra and hire a flooring professional to take on the job. Unnecessary errors are less likely and advice and maintenance they offer can save you money in the long run. When you hire a skilled and experienced professional you will have the peace of mind knowing you will have a beautiful and stable floor.
One of the benefits of a hardwood floor is the sense of permanence it brings. Think of it as a highly valued long term feature of your home or office. There is no point in cutting corners when it comes to adding real value to your home so it should be done right the first time.
Flooring options are very diverse in terms of style, cut, finish and color and thereby providing great flexibility in terms of look and feel. All of these options help you to achieve your goal of having an unique look reflective of your personal taste.
When choosing your floor, consider if you want a solid or engineered. Basically this choice depends on your subfloor, whether it is below or above grade, moisture levels common to the space and if it will be installed over radiant heat. Another consideration is the surface finish of the wood itself. Do you prefer smooth to rustic or hand scraped. How wide would you like the boards to be and how long. Widths of 2 1/4" are called strip flooring whereas widths of 3" and up are referred to as planking.
You basically have two choices in solid hardwood flooring: unfinished or prefinished. For minimum fuss and easy installation, prefinished flooring is the way to go for those who wish to install their hardwood floors without having to do any sanding and on site finishing. Prefinished hardwood floors are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer who wishes to save time and convenience and want to enjoy their floor immediately after its installation. A highly valued characteristic of unfinished hardwood floors is the uniformity of the stain and finish. Prefinished boards come out of the box stained and with several coats of finish. This finish is on a board by board basis and the finish which seals the board does not seal the minute spaces between individual boards in the same way. With an unfinished floor, the finish is applied over the entire floor after the boards have been installed, sanded and stained. This offers a more uniform finish and a greater moisture proof seal. So if you don't mind the fumes and the fuss, unfinished is a good fit. Otherwise if you want a quick installation, a prefinished floor is a good choice.
You should always consider the environmental factors affecting your hardwood floor as well. In terms of overall environment, hardwood flooring is an option that should only be considered for a space that has controlled humidity and temperature fluctuations. Hardwood can easily become warped by excessive humidity, and this kind of damage is often not included in your warranty. So when you are considering laying floor in an area which is likely to remain unattended for long periods of time, like a cottage for instance, it may be a good idea to consider an engineered hardwood floors, Bamboo or laminate.
With so many types of flooring, there are installation-friendly features - such as a tongue and groove interlocking system, making it a good option for the handy do it yourselfer. Engineered flooring or laminate are good examples. Solid hardwood flooring tends to be more expensive per square foot so mistakes during installation will be more expensive. A safe bet is to budget a little extra and hire a flooring professional to take on the job. Unnecessary errors are less likely and advice and maintenance they offer can save you money in the long run. When you hire a skilled and experienced professional you will have the peace of mind knowing you will have a beautiful and stable floor.
One of the benefits of a hardwood floor is the sense of permanence it brings. Think of it as a highly valued long term feature of your home or office. There is no point in cutting corners when it comes to adding real value to your home so it should be done right the first time.
Flooring options are very diverse in terms of style, cut, finish and color and thereby providing great flexibility in terms of look and feel. All of these options help you to achieve your goal of having an unique look reflective of your personal taste.
When choosing your floor, consider if you want a solid or engineered. Basically this choice depends on your subfloor, whether it is below or above grade, moisture levels common to the space and if it will be installed over radiant heat. Another consideration is the surface finish of the wood itself. Do you prefer smooth to rustic or hand scraped. How wide would you like the boards to be and how long. Widths of 2 1/4" are called strip flooring whereas widths of 3" and up are referred to as planking.
You basically have two choices in solid hardwood flooring: unfinished or prefinished. For minimum fuss and easy installation, prefinished flooring is the way to go for those who wish to install their hardwood floors without having to do any sanding and on site finishing. Prefinished hardwood floors are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer who wishes to save time and convenience and want to enjoy their floor immediately after its installation. A highly valued characteristic of unfinished hardwood floors is the uniformity of the stain and finish. Prefinished boards come out of the box stained and with several coats of finish. This finish is on a board by board basis and the finish which seals the board does not seal the minute spaces between individual boards in the same way. With an unfinished floor, the finish is applied over the entire floor after the boards have been installed, sanded and stained. This offers a more uniform finish and a greater moisture proof seal. So if you don't mind the fumes and the fuss, unfinished is a good fit. Otherwise if you want a quick installation, a prefinished floor is a good choice.
