Hardwood Floor Installation: Some Goods You Can Do

Solid hardwood flooring offers elegance, value, and coziness to a house. If you opt for Hardwood Floor Installation in Downers Grove, here is a piece of advice for you. Read the complete blog to have wooden floors that bring a modern yet classy appeal to your home.

Such flooring is aesthetically pleasing and is typically installed in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and dining area.

 Before Installing Wood Floors: What You Should Know

 Wood floor installation needs a flat subfloor and acclimatization of the hardwood flooring to the room’s humidity and temperature, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Get Going…

Read the installation steps so that you have some idea about how things proceed.

A person pre-drilling nail holes.

The first row should consist of the most straight boards, with the tongue side towards the middle of the room. Insert spacers inside the expansion gap — the area between the wall and floor that enables the wood to expand in response to changes in temperature and humidity. 1/4 inch from the narrow side of the board and 1/2 inch from the wall, predrill nail holes. Continue at 6-inch intervals throughout each board’s length.

Because it is difficult to operate the pneumatic nailer close to the wall, face-nail the first few boards into position. Using a nail punch, countersink the nails and fill the leftover hole with matching putty. At this stage, make sure the nail is countersunk so that it does not interfere with the board-to-board connection.

The use of a mallet to tap boards together.

Lock the tongue and groove on the second row and tap them together with a mallet to create a snug fit between the boards. Stagger the ends of adjacent boards, and if necessary, trim the end board to produce a stronger, more aesthetically pleasing flooring pattern.

The use of a pneumatic nailer on a partly installed hardwood floor.

Repeat the technique until you are able to utilize the flooring nailer by blind-nailing the second row through the tongue. The flooring nailer needs space to operate; thus, it cannot normally be utilized until two to four rows of flooring have been laid. To safeguard the flooring while using a flooring nailer, make sure to attach the nailer’s protective boot.

A little last piece of solid hardwood flooring has wood glue floating in the groove.

When an installer reaches the final few rows, they switch back to hand-nailing. On the last row, they cut the boards to size by measuring the distance from the wall to the board — not the tongue — and subtracting the expansion space.

If the width of the finished product is less than 1 inch, they add a little quantity of wood glue to the tongue and groove. Then, install the component while protecting the wall with a pry bar and a piece of scrap wood. If the finished piece is wider than one inch, face-nail it, countersink the hole and fill it with matching putty.

An individual reattaching baseboards and trim.

Install the transition pieces as per the directions of the manufacturer and remove the spacers. Cut the subfloor and reconnect the baseboards and shoe molding to the wall, not the floor.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TO INSTALL HARDWOOD FLOORS?

Hardwood flooring is an excellent option for both home and business areas. Not only does it compliment every aspect of the décor, but it is also one of the most durable materials available. It also creates a natural and warm appearance. Besides, one can bring back the original luster of floors after years by hiring Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Downers Grove.

If you have opted to purchase this kind of flooring, you will want to ensure that it is installed properly. Since you are paying a premium price for hardwood flooring, you should hire professionals to install it. Even if you have some understanding of how to install it, the experts will handle every element of the procedure and pay attention to the smallest of details. Here are some reasons why skilled hardwood installation is so crucial:

One of the key advantages of hiring specialists for this task is that they are familiar with the process. Due to their expertise, they will be able to manage each phase of the procedure. They will determine the optimal method for gluing, stapling, or nailing the boards. You may believe that this is a choice you can make on your own, but the experts will evaluate all relevant elements and choose the optimal option. In addition, they will choose the optimal nail and staple size and apply the glue uniformly. These are all obstacles that need the assistance of specialists.

Material acclimation is one of the most crucial processes in laying a hardwood floor. This technique entails exposing the boards to the air in the area for a certain amount of time. This technique allows the wood to expand and compress so that it can adapt to the new atmosphere in your house. Professionals can assure that the procedure is carried out correctly and that there will be no future problems with the hardwood boards.

Installation is not as simple as one may believe. There is a procedure of preparation that includes regulating the humidity levels. The experts will remind you of this, and they will also assist you in achieving ideal installation circumstances. Thus, you will avoid laying the groundwork for future issues.

Not often does the installation of hardwood need the total removal of the existing floor. Occasionally, it is possible to build straight over an existing floor. After evaluating the region, the specialists should be able to offer the most effective course of action. If removal is their only choice, they will begin working. If the procedure is more involved, they will likely give contact information for individuals who can do the task without any problems.

The removal of the previous floorboards follows the evaluation of the subfloor. The professionals will either remove it or prepare it for hardwood installation. Remember that preparing the subfloor is a vital element of installing hardwood, and the installer knows how to do so efficiently and effectively.

Avoiding Wood Flooring Installation Errors:

1. Failing to Prepare the Subfloor

Your subfloor’s condition will directly affect the quality of your hardwood flooring. Inadequate preparation of the subfloor before installation may result in a variety of issues, such as loose boards and loud creaking sounds. Due to these difficulties, you may need to replace chosen wood planks or repair cracked or warped flooring over time.

2. Failing to Examine Moisture Levels

Humidity has an immediate effect on wooden floors. When environmental conditions are dry, wood boards compress. When wood flooring is exposed to moisture, it begins to expand. When boards are put at any of these extremes, they are more prone to develop problems over time.

3. Developing a Lazy Layout

Even though it looks that every corner of your house has a correct angle, it is unlikely that your rooms are exactly square. When laying wood flooring in a hurry, you may discover that the boards need to be cut at unusual angles or seem weird in particular areas.

4. Taking the Negative Racking Route

“Racking” refers to the planning of the sequence in which the boards will be laid in wood flooring. Racking a hardwood floor facilitates the installation procedure and ensures an appealing appearance once everything is in place. If you don’t rack your wood planks or if you speed the procedure, you may wind up with a floor that has too many joints grouped in one area or an unnatural arrangement of varied lengths, grain patterns, or wood tones.

5. Not Nailing Enough

During the installation procedure, it may seem that your boards are firmly fastened. To avoid loose boards, creaking, and other problems in the future, you will need to properly secure each plank with sufficient fasteners. Do not depend on snugly inserted planks to secure enough of the other components. Additionally, avoid hurrying through the process since haste may cause you to forget to properly nail down each board.

After Your Hardwood Floors Have Been Installed, Here Are a Few Important Facts:

After installing your hardwood floors, there are a few things you should do to keep them looking and performing their best for years to come. Understanding every component of your new flooring can also help you appreciate your purchase!

1. Managing the Temperature and Relative Humidity of Hardwood

First, it is essential to know that the frequency of routine maintenance might vary based on use, wear, and lifestyle.

Wood is a naturally porous material that expands and contracts with the seasons. If not properly managed, excessive moisture or humidity may cause buckling, cupping, and gaps.

Temperature: 60-80 degrees Fahrenhe it 30-50 % relative humidity.

Depending on the season, you may need to use a humidifier (dry/winter) or a dehumidifier (humid/summer) to maintain optimum humidity levels and prevent wood floors from contracting due to low humidity. This will help safeguard your investment and prolong the life of your flooring.

2. Color Diminishment and/or Darkening

The range in textures, tones, and hues that exist within a single piece of natural wood contributes to its aesthetic value. Although significant variations are uncommon, it is difficult to ensure exact uniformity in grain, shading, and color. Keep in mind that color fading and/or darkening due to exposure to UV rays (direct sunlight) is a normal phenomenon and is not considered a product fault. Due to light exposure and natural age, every species of wood will undergo a change in hue. Prior to installation, it is essential to discuss the features of the floor species you’ve chosen with one of the designers since certain species undergo more substantial changes than others. And, in case you find any color variation, call experts for Hardwood floor refinishing in Northbrook.

3. Utilization of Area Rugs and Mats

There are a few things to keep in mind when using area rugs and mats to protect your wood floor from the furniture and wear in high-traffic areas. Large area rugs should be placed in areas that get a great deal of direct sunshine since sun fading might produce a visible color change over time. You should also ensure that your new or old favorite rug does not have a sticky or plastic backing that might damage your flooring. Highly suggested are mats and carpets made from natural rubber, unprocessed natural fiber, jute, or urethane.

4. Floor Protectors and Surface Coatings

The finishes of pre-finished flooring vary per product. Consider that certain wood types are much tougher than others. Regardless of the finish you pick, all wood floors will scratch and dent, but this simply adds to the natural beauty and character of hardwood. We recommend installing floor protectors on appliances and furniture to avoid serious damage to your hardwood floor, which may be caused by their movement. Rugs and furniture pads will reduce scratches caused by sliding furniture and heavy foot activity. Water, humidity, pebbles, and animal claws are just some of the things that might cause damage to your flooring, so keep this in mind prior to committing.

Here’s How to Maintain Wooden Floors:

Each season presents unique challenges for your hardwood flooring. Winter is accompanied by snow, ice, and salt, spring by rain and dirt, summer by chlorine and salt water, and autumn by additional dirt and leaves. Despite the maintenance, wood floors are just too beautiful to pass up. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, this is precisely what your hardwood floor cleaning regimen should include (NWFA). Yes, they do exist, and you should heed their advice if you want your floors to last for decades.

Use a dry or slightly damp towel to promptly clean up any spills, avoiding wet or steam mops, which, according to the NWFA, can cause greater harm in the long run. Because wood expands and contracts in response to moisture on it and in the air, it is essential to maintain low humidity levels to prevent cupping, splitting, and gapping. The easiest method to avoid these problems is to wipe up spills immediately, maintain a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (together with 30 to 50 percent humidity), and prohibit the wearing of damp shoes inside. In any case, they are rather repulsive.

Scratches are among the most difficult issues to resolve with wood flooring. Some scratches are unavoidable, while others are entirely avoidable. Adding furniture pads to the legs of your chairs, couches, tables, etc., is one of the greatest methods to avoid them.

It may seem extravagant, yet it is a sound suggestion. Even if there is a no-shoes policy in your house, dust will gather everywhere and settle into the grain and between floorboards. Consider it a problem of cleanliness if you have nonstop-shedding animal companions in your home.

These were some meaningful information on hardwood floor installation. If you need assistance related to the complete installation work or just need services for Hardwood floor refinishing in Saint Charles, contact us. We, Big Bro Hardwood, are always available at your service! Call (630) 418 4139.