What You Need To Know When Installing A Hardwood Floor
The first thing to do when starting a hardwood floor installation project is to lay the sub-flooring.
Sub-flooring is used to create a smoother surface and to insulate the floor.
Since there are so many different types of floors from numerous manufacturers, many different types of sub-flooring are used.
Read your instructions to find out the type of sub-flooring you need to buy.
Your hardwood flooring will also come with tool lists and installation instructions to help get you started.
The sub-flooring will need to be cut to fit and nailed down on the floor.
A good sub-flooring material will be a half to three quarters in thick so that it will solidly support the hardwood floor.
As an underlayment, it also provides another layer of insulation in the floor.
If the floor isn't perfectly flat, you may want to use joint compound on it to correct the problem.
Be sure to let it dry before moving on.
Make sure you clean and inspect the sub-flooring before starting to lay the hardwood.
The main tools you will need to get started are a hammer, a saw, spacers, a level, a pull tool, a tapping block, a measuring tape, straps, glue, and a chalk line.
Using these tools you'll be able to cut the flooring to the length you need, secure the boards to the floor, and eliminate any unintended gaps between the flooring boards.
You will use the chalk line to mark out the area that you will be covering.
Installing Your Hardwood Floor The first three rows are always the most critical when laying a hardwood floor.
Make sure you check for straightness often by either using your level or an "L" square.
Using clamps and straps will keep everything together.
You might need your hammer and tapping block to get the tongue and groove joints to fit together tightly.
To do this, place the block on the edge of the flooring and tap the block lightly with the hammer.
Never try to force things together that don't want to fit.
You will apply glue along the edge of each joint for stability.
Make sure you're using an adequate amount of glue without going overboard.
If you put down too much glue it may squeeze up through the joint and damage the floor's finish.
Before gluing a piece on always test the board that will follow it.
As you near the end of your project, you'll no longer have room to use the hammer and tapping block.
Instead, you'll use the pulling iron to pull the floor into position.
If your flooring is pre-finished, be careful about laying your tools down.
Carry a soft rag around to lay them on, because you don't want to scratch the new floor.
Getting all of your materials and tools together before starting a to install a hardwood floor is a very wise decision.
All you'll do is get frustrated if every time you turn around you're having to run to find something, or worse, drive to the store after an item.
You should also read through the instructions prior to starting to lay anything on the floor.
Follow the tips, and a gorgeous hardwood floor will be your reward.
Sub-flooring is used to create a smoother surface and to insulate the floor.
Since there are so many different types of floors from numerous manufacturers, many different types of sub-flooring are used.
Read your instructions to find out the type of sub-flooring you need to buy.
Your hardwood flooring will also come with tool lists and installation instructions to help get you started.
The sub-flooring will need to be cut to fit and nailed down on the floor.
A good sub-flooring material will be a half to three quarters in thick so that it will solidly support the hardwood floor.
As an underlayment, it also provides another layer of insulation in the floor.
If the floor isn't perfectly flat, you may want to use joint compound on it to correct the problem.
Be sure to let it dry before moving on.
Make sure you clean and inspect the sub-flooring before starting to lay the hardwood.
The main tools you will need to get started are a hammer, a saw, spacers, a level, a pull tool, a tapping block, a measuring tape, straps, glue, and a chalk line.
Using these tools you'll be able to cut the flooring to the length you need, secure the boards to the floor, and eliminate any unintended gaps between the flooring boards.
You will use the chalk line to mark out the area that you will be covering.
Installing Your Hardwood Floor The first three rows are always the most critical when laying a hardwood floor.
Make sure you check for straightness often by either using your level or an "L" square.
Using clamps and straps will keep everything together.
You might need your hammer and tapping block to get the tongue and groove joints to fit together tightly.
To do this, place the block on the edge of the flooring and tap the block lightly with the hammer.
Never try to force things together that don't want to fit.
You will apply glue along the edge of each joint for stability.
Make sure you're using an adequate amount of glue without going overboard.
If you put down too much glue it may squeeze up through the joint and damage the floor's finish.
Before gluing a piece on always test the board that will follow it.
As you near the end of your project, you'll no longer have room to use the hammer and tapping block.
Instead, you'll use the pulling iron to pull the floor into position.
If your flooring is pre-finished, be careful about laying your tools down.
Carry a soft rag around to lay them on, because you don't want to scratch the new floor.
Getting all of your materials and tools together before starting a to install a hardwood floor is a very wise decision.
All you'll do is get frustrated if every time you turn around you're having to run to find something, or worse, drive to the store after an item.
You should also read through the instructions prior to starting to lay anything on the floor.
Follow the tips, and a gorgeous hardwood floor will be your reward.