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Your floors contribute to the overall look of your home. They enhance the style and add to the charm of your house. Speaking of flooring, hardwood flooring has become rather popular over the past several decades. If you are looking to make upgrades to your home, then you should consider hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring is durable, cost-effective, and easy to clean, making it a go-to choice for many people. Here are our top 5 flooring tips from professional flooring experts.
Take Measurements Before Installation:
Taking measurements is the most basic thing that you do before installation. However, you would be surprised to learn how often people forget about this step. Always remember to get the exact measurements of the length and width of the place where you are going to install your hardwood flooring. You can install it yourself or hire professionals to complete the work. Most flooring stores have people who will come to your home and take the measurements. It is recommended to order extra flooring so you will not have to place another order if something is damaged during delivery.
Check Moisture Content in the Atmosphere:
While not many people view this step as a necessity, it is super important and should not be ignored. A floor soaked in moisture will do nothing but ruin the whole look of the floor. It is always good to know the moisture content in the atmosphere. Some people suggest letting the wood acclimate for a few days to adjust to the humidity and temperature. For the best experience, check the moisture content of your planks at the time of the installation. You can then compare it to the usual humidity content of your home. You can use a moisture meter for this purpose.
Plan Your Layout:
Planning your layout is another essential step in the floor installation process. Always plan the layout before installation. Make an image of the flooring in your mind and imagine how it will look. Figure out where you are starting from and where you are finishing. This will help you make all the required adjustments and get the job done right. You never want to discover that your room’s shape does not allow for your floor design. You would have to start the entire process over from the beginning.
Preparing the Subfloor:
Preparing the subfloor is a vital step that requires an experienced hand. The subfloor needs to be solid, clean, dry, and level. You should check the moisture content of the floor to see if the wood is ready for installation. You can use different moisture barriers to reduce the moisture content. Good preparation is always the key to proper installation. It might take a long time, but it is good to do things properly from the beginning. Skipping the most important steps will likely result in substandard floors.
Provide Expansion Spaces:
Make sure to provide expansion spaces around the fixed objects, such as walls, kitchen cabinets, fireplaces, and columns. This is particularly important for people who live in a place where humidity fluctuates. Also, cut the doors a bit from beneath to allow for free movement. There are many ways of adding expansion spaces for different layouts, such as combining moldings, undercutting drywall, etc.
To guarantee that you enjoy your hardwood flooring to the fullest, you must take into consideration the above-mentioned points. This will help you make the most out of your floor’s beautiful design and allow you to maximize the life of your flooring.
