Are you considering having hardwood floors installed in your home? There are many good reasons to choose a hardwood floor for your home. Hardwood floors have been popular for hundreds of years due to their beauty and durability. A beautiful hardwood floor will enhance the look of your home and is low maintenance.
If you are considering having a professional install a hardwood floor in your home, or even if you are thinking of doing it yourself, there are a few things you should know about first. This guide covers everything you need to know about hardwood floors and professional hardwood floor installation.
Types of Hardwood Floors
There is more than one kind of hardwood flooring. The main two types are real hardwood and engineered hardwood. There are some pros and cons for each kind. The following section covers the differences between the two types and the positives and negatives of each.
Real Hardwood Flooring
Real hardwood flooring, also called solid hardwood flooring, is made of solid pieces of real hardwood. One great benefit of real hardwood flooring is that it can be sanded down and refinished many times, which helps extend the life of the floor. Real hardwood floors can last a long time if well cared for, even up to 100 years. It takes some skill to install hardwood floors, especially since they often must be refinished on-site.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring looks the same as real hardwood flooring on the surface. However, there are some differences. Engineered hardwood is made of a thin layer of wood on the surface, and underneath, it is bonded with plywood to create a strong floor. This type of flooring is also durable, but doesn’t last as long as real hardwood. This flooring may also be easier if you are doing DIY wood floors.
Hardwood Floor Installation Tips
You may be wondering how to install hardwood floors. There is a certain process that needs to be followed when installing wood flooring. Whether you are doing DIY wood floors or having professionals install wood flooring, it is important to use the right tools and install them the correct way. Follow these tips to install hardwood flooring.
Select the Type of Hardwood
The first thing you will do when having a wood floor installed is choosing which type or species of wood you want. This will depend on a few things, like the hardness of the wood, the look, the durability, and your tastes. Some popular choices for wood flooring include:
Oak
Maple
Cherry
Hickory
Walnut
Ash
Bamboo
These are just a few of the many varieties of wood that are available for wood flooring. It is important to do your research and choose the type of wood that suits your tastes, needs, and budget best.
Prefinished vs. Site Finish
Another choice you must make before installing a wood floor is choosing how you want your floor to be finished. The two main options are purchasing prefinished wood or having your floors finished on-site during and after installation.
Prefinished is when the wood is already sanded and finished before the installation process begins. This option is somewhat limited by the choices the manufacturer offers, and cannot be customized. This type of wood can also not be weaved in and matched with already existing wood flooring in your home.
Site-finished flooring means a wood floor that is sanded and finished on-site, both during and after the installation process. With this option, you can get the flooring customized and matched up, and blended in with your existing wood flooring. You can get the finish and stain you want on your new flooring when you choose site-finished flooring.
Allow the Wood to Acclimate
The wood for a floor needs to be allowed to acclimate to the climate in the home before being installed. 3-5 days is recommended, with the AC at 55-75 degrees ideally and with little humidity. Failing to do so may cause the wood to warp or form gaps after being installed.
Tools Needed to Install Hardwood Floor
Several different tools are needed when installing a hardwood floor. A person doing the installation will need the following tools and materials:
Saw
Hammer
Glue
Nails
Bevel tool
Tape measure
Crowbar
Spacers and tapping blocks
Pencil
Trowel
Pieces of wood that are wider than 3 ¼ inches will have to be glued and nailed down. The trowel will be used for the glue. It is important to have all of the necessary tools gathered before getting started, whether you are a professional or doing a DIY job.
Arrange the Wood the Right Way
The way the wood is placed down is important. Sometimes customers do not want short pieces of wood on their floors. It is important to speak with clients about their preferences.
The hardwood pieces are placed interlocked with a tongue and groove method. Any spaces left over can be filled, and any imperfections fixed. If an existing wood floor is in the home, the new pieces must be weaved in with the old. This makes the two floors appear to match and look natural.
We can arrange the wood in patterns such as herringbone and chevron patterns and our flooring specialists also do custom boarders and medallions.
Hardwood Flooring Prices
Hardwood floor installation costs can range from $3 to $20 per square foot, depending on a few things. Some factors that can affect price are the cost of materials, the cost of labor, how much time the project takes, and whether it will be DIY or a professional hardwood floor installation.
Unless you are skilled at installing hardwood floors, it is best to hire a professional. Contact your local hardwood flooring experts at Dylan Hardwood Floors and get an estimate today.
Professional Hardwood Floor Installation
Dylan Hardwood Floors has the high-quality hardwood flooring services you need. Our flooring specialists can properly install a beautiful hardwood floor in your home. Fill out this form to get a free estimate today!
