Hardwood flooring is beautiful and adds a touch of elegance to every house. It can also be expensive. It is important that you install it properly and without damaging the product. Invision Hardwood & Décor has accumulated years of experience working with hardwood flooring. Our goal is to help you find the perfect floor and to teach you how to install it.
First you must check the condition of the subfloor. Without an adequate subfloor, you cannot install hardwood flooring. The subfloor must be made of wood so that the hardwood can be applied on top of it. Ensure that there are no bumps, dips, or unleveled sections.
The next step is to acclimate your hardwood flooring. Your hardwood flooring should have no more than a 2-4 percent moisture content difference when compared to the subflooring. Allow the hardwood flooring to adjust to the room where it will be installed in.
Once the hardwood flooring has acclimated, you can begin laying the first rows. With everything properly measured you can begin installing the hardwood flooring. Ensure that the walls are marked in order to demonstrate the location of the floor joists. Start with the longest wall that is perpendicular to the joists. Nail down the initial boards, as they will act as a guiding section for future placement.
Next, rack the boards. This will allow you to develop a nice pattern and to determine which boards will fit best in certain sections. Ensure that the boards are staggered. If you have defective boards, they can be used in other areas that are less visible. Once you have enough hardwood flooring down, you can begin to nail them into place. Ensure that the nails are spaced 8-10 inches apart and that they are not nailed less than 2 inches from the ends.
Always check your work as you progress. There is nothing worse than misjudging a section and being forced to fix the mistake. This can damage your valuable hardwood flooring and cost the company both time and money. A quarter square is one of the best tools you can use when laying your boards. The final step is to use a saw to cut special pieces for intricate areas and trim. Once you are finished, place them in their appropriate spot and you are finished.
Installing wood floors is harder than it sounds. Invision Hardwood & Décor provides flooring solutions to customers through Toronto, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Vaughan, and the GTA.
