Hardwood floors continue to be a preferred choice among homeowners for their elegance, low maintenance, and the value they add to your home. So, if you have considered a hardwood floors installation, how prepared are you for the overhaul?
While installing hardwood floors is a wise decision, the complexity of the process often takes homeowners unaware. To help you experience a seamless installation process, we have discussed what you can expect during the hardwood floor installation process.
1. Pre-Installation Preparation
In the first place, you must be working with a licensed and insured floor installation company for the renovation. The process starts with a pre-installation preparation, where the installers clear the space to work efficiently. They clean the surface for the new hardwood floor to be installed.
2. Acclimation Period
Hardwood floors need to get adjusted to the environment where you install them. This explains why the installers bring the materials early. They might store the wood in the installation space for a specific period. This allows the wood to get acclimated to the humidity and temperature levels.
Acclimation keeps issues like expansion, warping, and contraction at bay after the hardwood floors installation process. This ensures the long-term stability of your floor.
3. Inspecting and Preparing the Subfloor
A successful installation of your hardwood floor requires a critical inspection of the condition of the subfloor. Professional installers evaluate the subfloor for potential damage, moisture issues, and unevenness.
Before proceeding with hardwood floor installation, experts address these issues. Accordingly, they prepare the subfloor, carry out necessary repairs, mitigate moisture levels, and level the surface.
4. Hardwood Floors Installation Process
This is the actual installation process of your hardwood floor. It involves the following steps:
- The underlayment: Professional installers may recommend having an underlayment like foam or felt. This provides cushioning and protects the floor from moisture.
- Installing planks: Floor installation experts carefully lay hardwood planks and install them as per the desired pattern. Thus, they may arrange the planks straight, diagonally, or follow any other arrangement.
- Gluing and nailing: Experts may nail the planks, glue them, or keep them floated over the subfloor. This depends on the hardwood floors installation method they choose to proceed with.
- Trimming and finishing: In case there’s any excess material left after laying the floor, installers trim them. This ensures an accurate fit along the doorways and walls. Lastly, they carry out the finishing touches like adding shoe molding or baseboards.
5. Post-Installation Process
Hardwood floors need professional attention even after the installation process. These include:
- Drying and curing time: It’s imperative to give hardwood floors adequate time to cure and dry properly. During this period, adhesives set properly, ensuring a flawless installation process. Refrain from walking on the floors during this time or placing heavy furniture.
- Inspection and cleanup: After installing your wooden floor, professionals carry out a thorough inspection to meet quality standards. They address potential issues and recommend necessary maintenance tips. Once they clean the installation area and do away with the debris, your floor is ready for use.
Finally, your floor installation company will carry out a walkthrough to make sure that you are happy with the installation. You can address any remaining concerns during this period.
Conclusion
The hardwood floors installation process involves several steps, as explained. It takes more than a day, and at times, the installers may replace your subfloor if it’s damaged. Take care to evaluate the warranty coverage reputed installers provide.
In a nutshell, installing hardwood floors requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. With seasoned installers on your side, get new hardwood floors installed to enhance the aesthetics and value of your home.
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