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Monday, May 13, 2019

A Guide to Choosing and Installing the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your House

~ This is a featured post. ~

When renovating a home, you have to make many decisions. The purpose of all those decisions is to add to the beauty and style of your house in a cost-effective manner.

Choosing the right category of flooring is another difficult decision to make. Although when renovating a house, the flooring is the first thing that comes to the mind of the user, it still is the most complex decision due to the limited options available.

The debate on which flooring is the best is never-ending. If you have chosen hardwood, then we have compiled a step-by-step process for choosing the right hardwood and then installing it.

The process of installation of a hardwood floor needs guidance and the input of a qualified installation service professional. However, having an insight into the process and the science that goes behind it will provide you a better understanding and make choosing an installation service easier.  

We know that the installation of a hardwood floor can be a strenuous task. This is why it is important to find out more before you go about installing the floor.  

Step 1 - Points to Consider
When choosing flooring option you need to be wary about various factors. The factors can be both internal and external. The residents of the house and your family should be your top priority before choosing a hardwood floor.

Consider the needs of your family before making a decision. Having pets around means that the hardwood floor is under the threat of constant scratching by the long nails your pet has. Maintaining your pet regularly and ensuring that the animal is well kept is an important aspect that you need to consider.

Another factor is the presence of babies or toddlers in the house. A disturbed sleep cycle can affect the health of the young ones. We all know how easily distracted a young toddler can be while sleeping, a sudden light or sound is enough for waking the baby.
The addition of underlayment products in a hardwood floor provides a base and extra insulation to the floor, this limits the noise in the house and ensures that the baby does not wake up by a slight sound on the floor above.

Step 2 - Study the Options
Once you are perfectly sure about your need for the hardwood flooring, the next step is to choose the right type of flooring.

Now, this is where the challenge lies; in order to choose the right hardwood flooring, you need to be perfectly sure about the specifics that you are looking for.

Selecting between Solid or Engineered Flooring
Like all other home appliances, the flooring has also been subject to technological upgrades.

Traditionally, users choose thick planks of solid timber as hardwood flooring. However, we have numerous engineering companies that add a thinner top layer of hardwood that’s bonded with other layers. It prevents the movement of hardwood from expansion and contraction during seasonal changes.

However, despite the added insulation, some homeowners still prefer using solid wood because of its more comfortable and quieter nature.

Choose the Type of Finish
There are two types of finishes available: Oil and Polyurethane. Both finishes have their own look and effects.

Oil adds a more sophisticated look to the flooring in addition to penetrating the wood. Polyurethane creates a top coat on the surface of the wood, acting as a deterrent to the regular wear and tear that other flooring go through.

The Wood types
Although you may find many options, Oak and Walnut are the kings of hardwood flooring in the US.

Oak is popular for the durability it offers and for making the floor of the house look aesthetically pleasing. Walnut is a popular choice because of its deep color, making it suitable for rooms where a darker finish is required.

Picking a Pattern and Determining Plank Width
Picking the grain pattern is the result of the options available due to the variety in log-cutting styles. Logs are cut primarily in three different ways: Plain-Sawn, Quarter- Sawn, and Rift- Sawn. All styles of log cutting produce a different result and texture.

Home décor experts believe that there is no good or bad texture amongst these three. It is the application of these textures, however, that makes it fit the look of your house.

Determining the plank width requires an accurate understanding of the style that you want to depict. Usually, hardwood flooring has a plank size of two to three-inch strips. However, exceeding the norm is now considered as a sign of luxury.

Step 3 - Installation
Once you have finalized the type and texture of your hardwood flooring, the next step is installing it.

The installation process depends upon the type of hardware flooring being installed. A step-by-step guide will help you understand the process of installation

The Installation Method
The first step is to determine the method of installation. Installation techniques vary depending on the dimensions of the hardware product.

Hardwood flooring might need to be stapled or glued to a wooden subfloor, whereas engineered flooring can be mechanically fastened and glued.

The installation of a floor requires precise DIY knowledge and experience. Remember that you have spent a fortune investing on these hardwood floors and a slight mistake can turn out to be very costly.

Acclimatize the Floor
It is necessary that the wood acclimatizes to the climate of your room. To ensure this, move the packaged boards into the room and allow the moisture on the wood to adjust to the conditions of the room.

Additionally, monitor the humidity in the room because moisture in the air often leads to movement within the hardwood. A humidity level between 35-55% is ideal in this regard.

Prepare Your Space and Install
It is good to be confident in your abilities but a flash of overconfidence can lay all the hard work to waste. This is why we recommend watching a tutorial before going about installing the hardwood.

Hardwood can be installed over existing flooring. Before you proceed, you need to ensure that all surrounding doors can still open once the flooring is installed.

Install the flooring using the manual instructions, begin by rolling out the underlayment, and use it to bond the layers of hardwood. The process can be a lengthy one and hence, needs patience and focus.

Once done, apply the finishing touches by tracing for contours that can be cut and fit according to the instructions of the installation guide.