TOP TIPS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION

A well-laid hardwood floor is without a doubt one of the most beautiful, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing flooring options available. However, most people believe that installing hardwood flooring is a time-consuming and difficult process. While installing wood flooring correctly is not a quick and easy weekend project, there are a few pointers that can help.

• • Ensure that the surface on which you will be installing the floor is clean, dry, and level. Simply trying to install wood floors on an uneven surface is difficult and will produce poor results. 
• • Allowing your hardwood floors to adjust to your home's humidity level for a few days before you begin your project will make installation easier. 
• • When installing your floor, include a layer of asphalt felt to make it easier to install and to protect both the flooring and the substrate. 
• • When planning your installation, make sure to include a table saw, circular saw, or power miter to make cutting the boards to the correct length much easier. 
• • Make sure that no joint in any row is closer than 6 inches to a joint in the adjacent row, and that all end pieces are at least 8 inches long. 
• • If you are installing hardwood over a large area, a wood floor nailery, which is used to secure strips to the underlying joists, is a good idea. This can be tricky, and you may damage the surface, so make sure you know what you're doing before you use one! 
• • If your wood floor will butt up against an adjacent floor of a different level, a reducer strip (a piece of specially molded or beveled wood that softens the transition between the two levels) is a good idea. Even slight tweaks in elevation can cause people to trip.

The truth is that, while wood floor installation can be done as a do-it-yourself project, it can be difficult for the inexperienced. It's too easy to damage the flooring, it's difficult to work with a non-level surface or a room that's out of square, and laying out and fitting the flooring can be difficult.

Unless you are a reasonably skilled carpenter or know someone who is and is willing to help you, it may be a good idea to look for contractors in your area who specialize in hardwood flooring installation and possibly buy the materials yourself. That way, you can save money on materials while still getting the benefit of a professional installation. It is certainly less expensive than making a mistake and having to buy new flooring materials or hire someone to remove and refit what you have already done!

Visit Fix Hold & Flip to learn more about Flooring Installation in Keller TX, where you'll learn everything you need to know about DIY hardwood floors and where to buy cheap hardwood floors.