Tag: Installing Hardwood Floors

Installing Laminate Flooring

Installing Laminate FlooringInstalling laminate flooring is something that you can easily do yourself. Why pay professionals to do it when the instructions for how to install it are printed right on the package. Also many flooring stores offer beginner courses to help the do it your self consumers. In addition, all the manufacturers of laminate flooring have the directions for installing the flooring available on their websites. These floor pieces are designed to click together and will float on the floor. There is no nailing required, which makes it suitable for direct placement on cement floors, although you may want some insulating value under the floor.

Installing Laminate Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring

There are some differences between  installing laminate floors and installing hardwood floors, but you can use the same tools for both. Tools can be purchased although most people will rent them for the time they need them. The first step in installing laminate flooring is to calculate the size of the room and purchase the flooring of your choice.

You should  leave hardwood flooring open for a time so that it can become acclimatized to your home. This is not the case when installing laminate flooring. When reading the directions as to how to install laminate flooring, you will learn that you can install it as soon as you open the package. You should also check all the planks before you install them to ensure that none of them are defective.

You will get a refund for any defective planks, as long as they are not damaged by you in any way. If you have difficulty getting the laminate planks to fit together, you should not put them together and take them apart more than three times. This could damage the laminate flooring and mar the effect when you have it completed.

Installing Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen

If you are installing laminate flooring in your kitchen, you should have the cabinets in place beforehand.   This means that you will have to learn how to install laminate flooring around the cabinets. This is also why you need to have a saw to cut the planks when you need smaller sizes and pieces to fit around the cabinets. Most people will opt for a tiled floor in the kitchen and also in the laundry room, however some will go for wood floors because they like the look and feel of the wood better than the tiles.

Laminate Flooring in the Laundry Room

When installing laminate flooring in the laundry room, you should make sure that you have rubber pads underneath the washer and dryer. This is to make sure that these appliances are level so that they won’t damage your flooring. Although most people do not have laminate flooring in the laundry room, there is no reason why you can’t use this room of the house to learn how to install laminate flooring. You can even practice installing hardwood flooring on this small area before you tackle more visible rooms of the house.

You might be in need of a few tips for installing laminate flooring if this is your first time. Do you have to place the laminate flooring around pipes? One tip is to drill a hole in the plank about ½ inch larger than the circumference of the pipe. Then cut the plank through the center of the hole. Fit the two pieces of laminate flooring together around the pipe and glue them together.

Installing Laminate Flooring Near Door Frames

When installing laminate flooring, the flooring should extend under the door frame. If you have a piece of scrap that you have left over. You can use this as a marker for the depth that you need to trim the door frame. If you are not changing the height of the finished floor, most doors will continue to work just fine without scraping the floor. On the other hand if the floor is being raised for whatever reason, you may need to trim the bottom of the doors.

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Tips on Installing Hardwood Floors

Tips on Installing Hardwood FloorsInstalling hardwood floor is a great way to improve the look of any room. Installing hardwood floors will also increase the value of your home. When it comes to selling your home many buyers are looking for hardwood these days instead of carpet. The natural look of hardwood is a beautiful addition to any home that can be enjoyed and cherished for many years, but installation of new flooring requires some work.

With organization and planning along with some carpentry skill, you can succeed in installing hardwood floor and begin to enjoy everything hardwood flooring has to offer. If you are not skilled in this area, it is often best to hire a professional, take a course or get a friend who knows what they are doing to help you. Better to get help than make a mess of your new floor. You can save a great deal of money by doing it yourself, all we are recommending is that you invest in the proper training and purchase the right tools before you begin your work. This will pay off big time with a perfectly installed floor that you and your family can be proud of, will add a great deal of enjoyment and will increase the value of your home as well.

Installing Hardwood Floors – Preparation

Before you begin to lay down the new floor boards it is important to store them indoors for a few days. Allow them to expand or contract and adjust to the new environment.

Ensure that you have all the necessary tools for installing hardwood floor. This list should include a floor-nailer along with miter and jamb saws. Remove the old flooring. Clean any loose material from the floor. Make sure there are no nails sticking up and that the floor is flat.  You may even want to put a sub floor down and / or nail down the existing sub floor to avoid any squeaks etc on your new floor. Many installers will use screw nails instead of nails to nail down the sub floor. They feel there is less chance for the floor to move.

Make Your Measurements

Begin the project by covering the clean, level sub-floor with a layer of asphalt felt and overlap the edges by a few inches. Fix the felt down with a staple gun, keeping the surface as smooth as you can.

Then make measurements at various points in the room to draw a chalk center line parallel to the starting wall. It is also helpful to mark the position of floor joists on the felt as well. Another line should be marked out about ½ inch from the starting wall to set the edge of the first row of flooring.

Installing the Hardwood Floor

Actually installing hardwood floor now begins at the starting wall with the widest planks or longest boards. Drill pilot holes for 1 ½ inch finishing nails where the nail-heads will be covered. Face-nail the first row into the floor joists and recess the nails with a nail set.

For the next 3 rows drill pilot holes at 45 degree angles in the tongues at 10 inch intervals. Do this at the joists and ends. Again fasten with finishing nails and set them with the nail set after ensuring the board is tight against the previous row.

For the remaining rows you can use the floor nailer while being careful not to damage the floor. The final row should be wedged tightly into place while drilling pilot holes. Place them at the edge where the nails will be covered and set the nails below the surface. Installing hardwood floor in your new and improved room is now complete.

Add the Finishing Touches

The last step is to install the corner round around the edges of the room. This adds decor to the room, but also hides the gap you left at the edges for expansion. Apply some paint to the corner round and you are finished with your rooms new floor.

You can now enjoy all the natural beauty and durability of hardwood.

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