Wood flooring is a beautiful design and aesthetically pleasing addition to your home. It boasts warm colors that readily match any interior style or color scheme. With the installation of proper wood flooring, you will create an inviting and delightful environment for your guests.
Before laying wood flooring, you should clear your floor, prepare the subfloor, and only then start installing wooden boards. This article will show you how to lay wood flooring properly and tell you the common benefits of this flooring type.
Why Should You Lay Wood Flooring?
There are many benefits that come with installing wooden floors in your home. The most important one is that it will give your home an instant facelift in appearance and aesthetics. Wooden floors also offer stain protection, which means you won’t have to worry about spills damaging your hard work or having to repaint your floors too soon.
Wooden flooring is also a very durable and long-lasting material, which means you can rest easy knowing that your floors will look great in the years to come. But how do you know how to lay wood flooring? Read on!
Benefits Of Wood Flooring
When it comes to wooden floors, there are many benefits they offer besides just giving your home a fresh new look. Here are some of the main advantages provided by wooden floors.
Wood Flooring Is Good For The Environment
When you choose wood flooring, not only are you providing your home with a unique appearance, but you’re also getting eco-friendly flooring. Wood is biodegradable and doesn’t produce harmful gasses or other pollutants.
Wood Flooring Is Easy To Clean
Wooden floors are very easy to keep clean and maintain. You can simply sweep it with a broom and vacuum it once in a while to keep it dust-free. When it comes to regular cleaning, mild soap on a damp mop will usually do the trick!
Wood Is Easy To Install
Installing wooden flooring is much easier than it sounds. You can likely do the entire process yourself, which means you don’t need to hire a flooring contractor. If you choose to go with a contractor, they will likely be able to install your floors within a few days!
Life Is Good With Wood Flooring
Wooden floors are not only attractive and eco-friendly, but they’re also highly durable and long-lasting. They’ll look great for many years to come, so you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged or looking worn out shortly.
Wood Flooring Is Easy To Repair
Wood flooring is highly durable, but you can quickly repair the problem yourself if you damage it. You can use wood glue and wood patching kits to cover small scratches and holes in the wooden planks.
How To Lay Wood Flooring – Installation Methods
There are many different ways to lay wood flooring, and it really depends on your budget and what type of floors you’re installing. Here are a few of the most popular installation methods and lay wood flooring according to each one.
Installing Wood Flooring Onto Concrete
If you live in a home with concrete floors, installing wood flooring is an easy task. Simply lay your planks directly onto the concrete surface and allow them to dry for a few days. The concrete will condition and harden the wood, so it will be ready to use when dry.
Installing Wooden Floors Onto Plywood
Installing wooden floors onto plywood is easy as well, but there are a few things that you’ll need to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to make sure the plywood you choose is non-porous and can take the strain.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that your planks are thick enough to distribute any weight properly. You could also experience cracking when walking across your floors if they’re too thin.
3 Steps To Lay Wood Flooring Properly
The best way to lay wood flooring is to follow these three steps.
Clean And Acclimate The Flooring
Before you begin installing any wooden planks, you’ll want to clean your area, so there are no dust or dirt particles left on the floors. You can clean it with a broom and then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Once the dust and dirt are removed, it’s time to acclimate the wood before you install it. You’ll want to leave the wood for about 12 hours for it to get used to its new and different surroundings. This will ensure there are no surprises when it comes time for installation!
Prepare Your Subfloor
After your wood has acclimated, you’ll need to prepare the subfloor that it will be placed on. If you’re installing wooden planks on top of concrete, you’ll want to make sure the concrete is as smooth as possible. You can use a concrete sander to make sure the surface is even free of bumps.
Install The First Row
Now that your subfloor is prepared and ready, you’ll want to lay down the first layer of planks. Before you do so, it’s essential to make sure you’re following the correct pattern for your type of wood flooring. Then, press the board down firmly, so it makes good contact with the subfloor beneath it. You’ll want to make sure it’s laying flat next to your wall so that there aren’t any gaps!
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve finished laying the first and other rows of boards, you can now install your finishings. This can include installing molding around the edges and applying a protective coating to the floor, so dirt doesn’t stick to it.
Tips For Installing Wood Flooring
Before you get started placing your wooden planks, there are a few things you should know about laying wood flooring.
Make Sure You Have The Right Tools
One of the first steps in installing wood flooring is getting the correct tools and equipment needed for the job. If you have the right tools, things will go much faster. You’ll want to make sure your tools and equipment are good quality and will last you many years of use.
Pay Attention To Nailing Pattern
If you’re installing wood flooring on concrete, pay attention to the nailing pattern for your type of flooring. You will want to install the planks up on the floor a bit in order to make sure there aren’t any gaps.
Install The Planks In Place
To create a strong floor, you’ll want to ensure your board is installed correctly. When installing wood floors onto concrete, it’s important that you place each plank into place without hitting or poking through the concrete itself.
Level The Floor
Once you’ve finished installing your flooring, it’s essential to ensure the floors are perfectly level. You’ll want to place tape underneath the planks, then use a level to ensure the floor is perfect with no unevenness or gaps.
Apply Finish To Your Wood Floor
In order to create a high-quality finish on your floor, you can use a variety of different methods, including stain and lacquer. Regardless of which finish you choose, you should apply one coat to protect for many years of use.
The Bottom Line
Wood flooring is an excellent way to create a warm and cozy living space filled with natural color tones and beautiful patterns. Whether you’re looking for an easy way to install wooden flooring, this article may help you do the best job on time.
FAQ
What Is The Correct Way To Lay Wood Flooring?
Can I Lay A Wood Floor Myself?
When Laying Hardwood Flooring Where Do You Start?
Take care not to bump or scratch your floor as you work. If necessary, protect woodwork by taping cardboard over it, plastic over metal and vinyl finishes and installing plywood behind plasterboard.