Hardwood floors have come a long way since you were a kid and watched Mom or Grandma stripping and re-waxing the old floors. We now have flooring that needs no waxing. Long gone, too, are the days when you needed a carpenter to install hardwood floors. With the new, pre-finished flooring, it has become a do-it-yourselfer’s project that no longer involves the laborious sanding and hand finishing that it once did.
Historically, red oak has been the flooring of choice. However, now there are numerous different colors and textures of flooring for you to choose from. You may find it difficult choosing just the right floor to fit in with your home’s décor. By spending some time researching hardwood flooring online, or visiting a local home improvement store, you’ll be able to check out what’s available before making a final decision.
After purchasing your flooring online or from a store, you will need to leave it stacked in the room where you plan to install it for a few days so that it can get used to the humidity in the room. As with any wood, moisture causes the flooring to expand. When laying the floor, it’s also important to leave a half inch gap around the edges of the room to allow for expansion. The gap can always be covered with some type of molding after the floor is finished.
It’s important to carefully follow the step-by-step installation instructions provided by the manufacturer. Failure to do so could cause you to end up with a less-than-professional-looking floor. Since the flooring is now micro-beveled in the factory, you won’t have to worry about spacing to allow for summer expansion of the wood.
You may have been considering putting down new flooring because the old hardwood floors in your home are worn and scuffed. In a case like this, it will probably be more economical to refinish the existing flooring. Start by removing everything in the room that touches the floor. Make sure you keep doors and windows closed during the process to prevent excess dust. It will take you about three days to sand, refinish, and allow the flooring to dry before you can move items back into the room.
If you’re looking for a simple way to rejuvenate the floors in your home, you might consider laminate flooring. It looks just like hardwood, but it requires much less maintenance. If you have heavy traffic areas, kids, or pets, you’ll find that laminates resist the scratches and stains of everyday wear and tear. Since it interlocks with a tongue-and-groove system, it is very easy to lay.
There are a lot of new technologies in flooring and refinishing products available on the market today. Take your time and check out the different options before making your final decision. All of these products are easier to use than ever before. By following the directions that come with the flooring or products and asking questions until you are clear on the finer points of installing or refinishing your floor, you’ll end up with floors that will show off your home in the best possible light.
