10 TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE AND INSTALL HARDWOOD FLOORS THAT WORK BEST

Apr 16

These are the top tips for hardwood flooring.

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WOODEN FLOOR SPECIES & COLOR

There are many kinds, finishes, and colors available for hardwood floorings. Choose the right one to match and balance your room.

You have two options depending on your needs and budget: engineered hardwood floors or solid hardwood floors. Consider the style of your room, as well as furniture colors and wall color schemes, before you decide on a wood floor. Before buying any wood floors, you should decide on the look you want for your space.

2. ACCLIMATE YOUR WOODEN FLOOR

Acclimatization refers to allowing the hardwood to adjust to its surroundings. Once your hardwood has been delivered to your house or office, it is best to leave it alone for a while to help it adjust to the surrounding environment.

Because hardwood is a natural product it will naturally expand or contract depending on where you live and the temperature. This will change the shape and size of your hardwood, allowing you to measure it before installing.

The risk of damage to your hardwood after installation is reduced by acclimatizing it. This includes swelling, warping, and formation of gaps. Here are some steps to help you acclimatize hardwood properly.

You should have your hardwood delivered well in advance of the installation.
Solid hardwood floors should be left for at most 7 days to adjust before installation.
For engineered wood floors to be able to adjust, you should leave them for at most 72 hours before installing.
Protect your hardwood flooring from heat and radiators.
Before the wood floors are installed, ensure that the room has been completely dried. It is best to not leave the wood floors on damp floors or against damp walls in order to prevent expansion.
You can leave the hardwood floors in their original packaging to allow them to adjust to the space in which they will be installed.

3. FIND THE RIGHT PROFESSIONALS

To ensure the highest quality services, it is essential to find the right hardwood floor installation company. Ask these questions before hiring a company for Hardwood Floor Refinishing San Diego or for installation.

Are they going to keep you up-to-date on the progress of their work and provide concrete deadlines?
Can they provide you with clear rates or price breaks for all the steps and methods used?
Do they offer to come to your location before installation to make sure you are satisfied with the measurements taken and to plan the next steps?
Are they able to offer the best solutions while staying within your budget?
Are they going to remove furniture and other objects prior to starting the installation?
Do they plan to remove any sublayers or flooring?
Are they going to clean up before installing?
They will offer to remove the furniture and move it back after the installation is completed.
Are they able to offer cost-effective solutions as well as after-sales service?

These are the questions you need to ask when looking for hardwood flooring installers. Make sure your installer is competent and understands the importance of this project.

4. Only use high-quality materials

Choose top-quality hardwood floors for your room. You will get a long-lasting, sturdy, and strong floor. Your property will be more valuable if it has wood floors that can last decades.

Although you might choose cheaper options, ensure that you are receiving a good price. You can save more money by not compromising on the quality of materials.

5. REMOVE FURNITURE & OTHER ELEMENTS

Prior to installing hardwood flooring, you should clean all floors. Professionals for Hardwood Floor Refinishing San Diego will always provide assistance in removing furniture and cleaning up the area.

If your cleaning company doesn't offer room clean-up, they can send a professional cleaner to take out all the dirt and debris from corners. Seal your windows and doors to protect other areas in your home.

6. BEFORE YOU INSTALL YOUR SUBFLOORS

You should install hardwood floors on a sublayer, as it will give them a better finish and last longer. The underlying layers of your hardwood floors will form the foundation. It is important to do this correctly. A professional hardwood floor company will take care of your sublayers, and they will spend more time and effort to build a solid foundation.

Before beginning hardwood installation, ensure that your sublayer has dried completely and is level. A spirit level can be used to check that the sublayer is even and flat. A Moisture Meter can be used to test the moisture levels in your sublayers before you install them.

If the MC (Moisture content) for wood subfloors is less than 16%, and if concrete subfloors are lower than 6%, you can proceed with the installation. If your sublayer seems not dry enough, let it dry more before you start the installation.

7. CHOOSE YOUR INSTALLATION METHOD

There are three major methods for installing hardwood floors, and they are:

Nail-down installation: This method is the most affordable and is often used with solid hardwood floors.
Glue-down is the best method to install hardwood on concrete floors.
Click-lock installation is the best choice for DIYers who want to install hardwood floors.

Discuss your options with your hardwood flooring installer in order to determine the best installation method based on your wood type.

8. SECURE USE OF THE INSTALLATION GUIDE

Your preferences and needs will dictate the direction in which you want your hardwood flooring to be laid. The direction you want to go with your hardwood floor should be determined first. Compare it with other elements in the room.

If you don't know how to choose, follow the light entering your room through a door or window. This will bring in positive energies and will work well in any room. It's also the most popular choice for homeowners.

9. DON'T FORGET THE FINISHING TOUCHES

As you might need to attach flooring accessories after installation, finishing touches are essential. To allow hardwood floor expansion and contractions due to temperature changes, you might need extra planks, door bars, or skirting boards to cover the gaps.

For a beautiful and lasting look, unfinished hardwood floors should be finished.

10. CONTAIN AND CLEAN YOUR WOOD FLOORS RELIGIOUSLY

Last but not least, hardwood floors should be maintained after installation. This will ensure they last decades. You can easily clean hardwood floors by simply changing, mopping, and applying cleaning sprays. Clean up liquids and food spillages immediately.

To protect your floors from scratches and other damage, apply buffers or protector pads to your heavy furniture.

San Diego Flooring

5447 Imperial Avenue San Diego CA 92114

(619) 658 2810