Home Improvement Articles and Remodeling Ideas

Installing Hardwood Floors

If you have plans to install hardwood floors do-it-yourself style, here are some things to consider before taking the project plunge.

By Writer: Christina E. from Raleigh, NC on January 28, 2006
Category: Hardwood Flooring

Did you know there's a place to go where you can ogle and touch as many exquisite blonds, browns, blacks, and mahoganies as you like? Jeez, get your mind out of the gutter! I'm referring to hardwood floors! Hardwood floors are stunning and come in a wide assortment of types, colors, shades and wood variety. They are prized for their beauty and uniqueness. And they are known to bring obvious charm to any room.

If you are planning to install hardwood floors without professional help, consider the type of floor that will best fit your lifestyle, the amount of room space you have, and your do-it-yourself abilities. Many people choose do-it-yourself projects to cut down on labor costs that come along with hiring a professional. But professional labor cost is not the only factor to take into account when deciding to install hardwood floors.

Doing It For Yourself

Sounds empowering, doesn't it? But when taking on a hardwood installation project, you have to ask yourself if you are really going to be saving money (there might be hidden costs), if you have the time to devote to the arduous installation process, and if the end result will have the look of a professional craftsperson. Before you decide either way, let's look at the pros of doing it yourself.

The revolutionary advancements in hardwood flooring make do-it-yourself projects relatively easy ones. For example, you can purchase your hardwood floors already finished. Pre-finished floors save a lot on your labor because they can be installed right out of the box, and they offer a better finish. Things like tongue and groove flooring makes for an easier installation because you can avoid the trouble of working with glue. Plus, you are never really without professional assistance as nearly all hardwood floor merchants offer customer assistance when it comes to questions and handing out advice.

That being said, there's really no question that hiring a professional installer to do the job will save you time as well as guarantee your home beautiful, top-notch results. Installing hardwood flooring isn't particularly doing brain surgery you can certainly do it yourself. But it takes committing yourself to long hours, and being one who pays attention to detail. However, when you consider that the professional installers come with a hefty fee of several thousand dollars or more and you'd have to shell out money for materials and tools on your own, doing it yourself may be far outweigh any drawbacks.

Types Of Wood

Once you've committed to a do-it-yourself installation, your next big decision is what type of wood to use. A few factors should influence your decision. For one, realize that solid hardwood flooring easily gets scratched, scraped and beaten down from everyday wear and tear, but with regular maintenance as well as getting them re-sanded and refinished, your solid hardwood floors can retain their beauty for quite a long time. Engineered wood and laminate flooring require less upkeep than solid hardwood floors but trying to repair their damage is a lot harder than it is for solid hardwood floors.

Also, consider what type of 'look' you are going for. That is, do you want strip, plank or parquet flooring? Each type of these brings a different aesthetic to your home; there isn't really any wrong choice. The differences between each wood type and look are explained below:

Solid Wood Floors

Solid wood floors are milled from a single 3/4" thick piece of hardwood. They strong, and expand and contract with changes in your home's relative humidity. The three basic types of solid wood flooring are Strip, Plank and Parquet. The Strip type of solid wood flooring is the most commonly installed. Widths of Strip flooring range from 1 S to 3 R inches but are normally 2 R inches wide. When installed into your floor, they look like long strips of wood.

Plank flooring is a collection of wide boards about 3 inches in width. The boards can be screwed or nailed into the subfloor. Plank flooring appears to be more dramatic than the Strip flooring. But Parquet flooring is probably the most dramatic of all three. Parquet flooring comes in standard geometric patterns of 6" x 6" blocks.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is made with three to five thin layers of different woods. Each layer is stacked or glued together under heat and pressure. Engineered wood is commonly installed by being stapled down or glued to the subfloor. And because engineered wood flooring tends to not be affected by changes in humidity, it can be installed above, on, or below ground level.

Laminate Wood

Laminate wood is versatile because they imitate the look of real wood (or tile or marble). But Laminate wood is actually a plywood base topped with a layer of veneer that is a 'photograph' of wood (tile, marble, etc.). Strong and durable, Laminate floors are resistant to superficial scratches and moisture, but only can be sanded and refinished three times at most. You can install them in practically any area of your home. Laminate flooring will last you about 5 years.

Plastic Laminates

Plastic laminate flooring is made of a fiberboard center sandwiched between a top and bottom layer of high-pressure laminate. Plastic laminate floors must be completely replaced when they wear out as they cannot be sanded or refinished. Additionally, plastic laminate's consistent faux-wood pattern can look unnatural across large areas. On the plus side, Plastic laminate flooring is relatively easy to install and is a wonderful surface to have in high traffic areas in your home. Plastic laminate is better at resisting abrasion, scratches, and dents than engineered wood and pre-finished solid wood flooring.

Wood Floor Species

Another factor to consider when installing hardwood floors is the species of wood you'll use. This decision is beyond the wood's durability and is more a matter of style. For example, choosing lighter wood shades for your home lends a contemporary feel to your home. Using darker woods in rooms creates a formal look. That being said, there aren't any rules one must abide by. Picking hardwood floors is all a matter of personal taste and style. Choose what you like as well as what you can afford.

Some Popular Species of Wood Include: Red Oak (most commonly used), Beech, White Ash, Birch, Pine, Douglas Fir, Cypress, Sugar Maple, Walnut, Cherry

Pricing

Flooring is priced by the square foot. Better quality pre-finished floors such as birch and beech can cost upwards of $10 per square foot, sometimes even more depending on where you live.
Woods such as oak will are less expensive at about $2 per square foot. Just know that you don't have to spend a lot of money on new flooring. Take your time and shop around. The major factors that will affect your project cost are the species, grade, installation type and finish of the wood you choose. In addition, get your measurements before you begin your search because knowing the installation area's square footage will help you to better estimate project costs.

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