If you’re installing hardwood flooring with nails or staples, you will need (at a minimum) a:
- Nail or staple gun—you can rent these!
- Miter saw for cross cuts when boards are too long.
- Table saw for rip cuts when boards are too wide.
- Compressor.
- Protective gear for eyes and ears.
- Moisture test if you have concrete subfloors.
- Shop-vac or ventilation system.
What tools do you need to install hardwood flooring?
If you’re installing hardwood flooring with nails or staples, you will need (at a minimum) a: Nail or staple gun—you can rent these! Miter saw for cross cuts when boards are too long. Table saw for rip cuts when boards are too wide.
What is the best way to install hardwood floors?
Nailing hardwood planks is by far the most complicated way to install hardwood floors. Our humble flooring suggestion: find a flooring installer to do it for you. Both solid and engineered wood flooring can also be stapled to a subfloor rather than being nailed. The process is much the same as the nail-down method, but… it uses staples.
What are the installation requirements for hardwood flooring?
Wood floor installation requires a level subfloor and that your hardwood flooring is acclimated to the room’s humidity and temperature according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. To learn how to do this, watch Prepping Plywood Subfloors. You can't use a glue-down installation method with solid hardwood flooring.
What is the best underlayment for hardwood floors?
Also, make sure your subfloor is strong enough to handle the finished flooring material—¾” plywood or OSB (oriented-strand board) are the standard options for most types of wood flooring . The most common underlayment for both solid and engineered wood flooring is a vapor barrier— 15 lb. tar paper is a good choice.
What do I need to know before installing hardwood floors?
How to Choose & Install Hardwood Floors: A Complete GuideSelect Solid or Engineered Flooring. ... Choose Prefinished or Site Finish. ... Choose the Type of Finish. ... Consider Wood Types. ... Pick Your Grain Pattern. ... Determine Plank Width. ... Determine the Installation Method. ... Let Your Floors Acclimate.More items...•
What is the process for installing hardwood floors?
Wood strips or planks are generally nailed to the subfloor.Before Installing Hardwood Floors.Step 1: Locate Joists.Step 2: Cut Casing.Step 3: Secure Underlayment.Step 4: Mark Joists.Step 5: Create Chalk Guide.Step 6: Rack Planks.Step 7: Drill Pilot Holes.More items...•
How hard is it to install your own hardwood floors?
Hardwood floors are beautiful, last a lifetime, and are easy to install. With no special tools, you can go from subfloor to breathtaking in as little as a day.
What materials do you need for flooring?
Vinyl & LinoleumAdhesive trowel.Flat bar.Straight edge.Floor scraper.Level.Tape measure.Chalk line.Floor roller.More items...
Do I need underlayment for hardwood flooring?
While underlayment isn't always necessary for your hardwood floors, there are always benefits to it. One of the most significant reasons to install underlayment is the added stability and durability. Underlayment provides support for your floor and helps smooth subfloor imperfections.
Do you glue or nail hardwood floors?
If you have a concrete subfloor, then you should glue your hardwood down, if you have a wooden subfloor then you can choose either method of installation. However, if you are planning on fitting your hardwood floor to joists, then you will need to secret nail them into place.
Is it worth installing hardwood floors yourself?
If you consider that hiring a professional to install your floors could cost upward of several thousand dollars, doing it yourself may be worth the extra time. When installing your own floors, you only have to pay the cost of materials and tools or tool rental.
What direction should wood flooring be laid?
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
How much is labor for hardwood flooring?
Installing hardwood flooring costs between $6 and $12 per square foot. That averages out to $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for 1,000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.
What is the most popular flooring in homes today?
Tile. Tile is the most obvious choice for kitchens and bathrooms, as it is naturally waterproof and fairly indestructible. Some tile trends include realistic stone or wood looks. New homes tend to include timeless looks like marble, limestone, or slate.
What is the most durable type of flooring?
Here are eight of the most durable flooring options to suit your lifestyle.Bamboo. Bamboo is a type of grass. ... Resilient Flooring/Vinyl. ... Ceramic and Porcelain. ... Laminate. ... Solid Hardwood. ... Engineered Wood. ... Concrete. ... Natural Stone.
What do I need to install a floor?
What Supplies Do I Need to Install Laminate Flooring?Laminate Flooring.Underlayment.Measuring Tape.Dry Erasable Marker.Undercut Saw.Reversed Jigsaw Blade.Tapping Block and Pull Bar.Pail (5 gallon)More items...
How long does it take to install hardwood floors?
1-3 daysOn average it takes 1-3 days to install hardwood floor. Typically, a 2-person crew of installers can lay 750 to 1,000 square feet of flooring per day with the average size of a job being 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.
How do you install solid wood flooring on a concrete slab?
Plywood Subfloor: Another method to install hardwood floor is to first build a plywood subfloor on top of the concrete. The plywood can be placed directly on top of the waterproof barrier to provide an extra layer of insulation. The hardwood floor is then installed and secured on top of the subfloor.
How much is labor for hardwood flooring?
Installing hardwood flooring costs between $6 and $12 per square foot. That averages out to $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for 1,000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.
How long does it take to lay hardwood floors?
1 to 3 daysTypically, installation of hardwood floor takes anywhere from 1 to 3 days. The average job size ranges from 1000 to 5000 square feet. A two-person team of installers is typically able to complete 750 to 1000 square feet of flooring each day.
What is old flooring made of?
Old flooring materials may be made of asbestos. If you’re unsure, consult with a professional.
What is hardwood flooring?
Hardwood flooring is solid wood, cut from the tree. The three most popular wood choices include oak, walnut, and hickory, although maple and cherry are sought after as well.
How long does hardwood flooring last?
Hardwood floors are beautiful, last a lifetime, and are easy to install. With no special tools, you can go from subfloor to breathtaking in as little as a day. Before we get started with how to install hardwood floors, let’s cover a few basics.
How far apart should joints be on floor joists?
Join the ends of the boards over a floor joist, where possible, avoiding joints that form an H. Keep joints that line up at least two rows apart.
Is laminate flooring a solid wood?
While laminate flooring has come a long way as far as durability and appearance are concerned, it’s not solid wood and isn’t installed in the same manner.
About Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring has a rich, attractive appearance that adds value and style to your home. It's often installed in the living room, kitchen, bedroom or dining room.
Before You Install Wood Flooring
Wood floor installation requires a level subfloor and that your hardwood flooring is acclimated to the room’s humidity and temperature according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. To learn how to do this, watch Prepping Plywood Subfloors.
Wondering How to Install Hardwood Floors?
Behind the rich, polished gleam of every hardwood floor lies hours of effort planning and installing the lustrous planks. While it’s not the easiest improvement job you’re ever likely to take on, installing a hardwood floor is within the abilities of many moderately skilled do-it-yourselfers.
Types of Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors come in three main varieties. Each has special features that affect the installation. Here they are:
How to Install Hardwood Floors in 9 Steps
Installing flooring begins with deciding what type of flooring to install. Use the characteristics given above to guide this decision. After that, here’s what you should do:
Flooring Installation Summary
Hardwood flooring is durable and attractive and a great way to spruce up a room. You can likely install the flooring yourself. Click lock flooring is easiest to install, followed by glue-down flooring. Nailing down flooring is the most durable way to attach planks.
How thick was hardwood flooring in the 1940s?
Back then, hardwood floors were expensive and handcrafted. Solid planks that used to be as massive as 7/8″ thick and 2-1/2″ or 3-1/4″ wide were scraped manually. Modern tools were invented much later. Yet even in the 1940s, labor was still intensive and professionals had to be hired for installing hardwood flooring.
What buildings have cork flooring?
Some of the famous buildings with cork flooring include the First Congressional Church in Chicago (1890); the Mayo Clinic and Plummer Building (1912) ;the U.S. Library of Congress; the U.S. National Archives (1930); and Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania (1930) .
What is a wood saw used for?
They can be used for hardwood installations, but also laminate and cork.
Why do you need tape measures for wood flooring?
These make it very easy to measure either smaller distances or larger ones by yourself, which is why they are necessary when installing wood flooring.
Can you nail a hardwood floor through wood?
The last thing you want to do when installing your new hardwood floor is trying to nail directly through the wood. While this may be tempting to speed the process along, it is a great way to splinter your wood and possibly run short of supplies.
When was cork flooring first introduced?
Cork flooring has been existent for the past 100 years but was only introduced in the U.S. in 1890. Since then it's been the top choice for commercial and residential flooring, especially from 1900 to 1945.
Can you use a nailer to install a floor?
While you can use a flooring nailer to actually install your piece of floor, you will need a nail gun to install the trim around the room and down the hall. This gives your space a finished look and can easily hide any problems or gaps you left around the edge of the room. This could be accomplished with a hammer and nail set, but it’s much easier to use a nail gun.
What is the best way to install hardwood floors on concrete?
2. Glue-down Installation: The glue-down method is an excellent choice when you need to install hardwood floors on concrete. Other fastening methods are impractical, and there is no need to add an extra layer of insulation.
How to Lay Hardwood Flooring?
For example, a concrete subfloor will need to have the floorboards glued into place and cannot be nailed. A wooden subfloor can have the hardwood nailed to it or use an engineered flooring with tongue and grooves that can be clicked together to lay down the floor quickly. The three popular methods for flooring are as follow:
How to cut hardwood flooring for last row?
Using a table saw, cut hardwood flooring for the last row to fit the corner with ¾” expansion spacing. Nail the board into place.
How to spread glue on hardwood floor?
Once the floor is prepared for the hardwood, use a trowel to spread the adhesive over a small area where a few hardwood boards will be laid down. Avoid spreading over too much area as you may not be able to work fast enough before the glue dries. Generally, the glue has a set time of about 60 minutes.
What is the best way to level a hardwood floor?
Ensure the subfloor is smooth and uniform as it is essential to level a floor for hardwood. Low spots need to be filled with wood fillers, while high spots need to be sanded down.
What line do you use to lay down flooring?
You can use a mason’s line to guide the flooring rows or mark up the floor with chalk and then lay down the flooring boards.
How much space does the last row of a floor need?
The last row will most likely have to be cut to precisely fit the floor while still allowing for a ¾” expansion gap.
Choose Your Install Method
The type of install method you choose will depend on your subfloor, budget, lifestyle and the type of wood flooring you select. For example, solid hardwood flooring is typically nailed down during installation while tongue and groove engineered flooring is usually clicked together or completely glued down.
General Tips for Installing Hardwood Floors
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when learning how to install hardwood floors:
Prep the Space
Given the variety of subfloor types, always refer to the installation guidelines for information specific to your hardwood flooring and subfloor type. These are the common steps to take when prepping for hardwood:
Glue-Down Install Method
A good choice for concrete floors, the glue-down install method doesn't require using an extra vapor barrier, which is good for most budgets. Here's how to install hardwood flooring using the glue-down method:
Nail-Down Install Method
When installing solid hardwood on a wood subfloor, the nail-down install method is used because it is usually cost-effective. Here's how to install hardwood floors using the nail-down method:
Click-Lock Install Method
One of the most popular choices for DIYers, installing click-lock floors, or a floating floor, is quick and easy. It only requires nails for the first row of boards. Here's how to install click-lock hardwood flooring:
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Made from layers of real wood compressed together, engineered hardwood floors are better able to handle changes in moisture and humidity than solid hardwood.
Floating Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Before installing a floating engineered hardwood floor, follow the same preparation steps mentioned above, including underlayment and laying out spacers to maintain the expansion gap specified by the manufacturer.
Staple-Down Installation Over a Plywood Subfloor
If you’re working with a staple-down engineered hardwood floor, you’ll follow the same preparation steps as above, including laying spacers around the room’s perimeter to maintain the manufacturer’s recommended expansion gap.
Nail-Down Installation Over a Plywood Subfloor
With a nail-down engineered hardwood floor, follow the same subfloor preparation steps as above, including underlayment and laying spacers around the room’s perimeter to maintain the manufacturer's recommended expansion gap. This installation method is identical to staple-down, only the fastener and fastening tool differ.
What is the most important flooring material?
While there are plenty of different options, from carpet to terrazzo, one material is the acknowledged standard: hardwood.
What is engineered hardwood flooring?
Today, solid hardwood is still widely available, but many companies also offer engineered flooring—planks made with a thinner top layer of hardwood, bonded to other layers designed to prevent the floor from shifting during expansion and contraction cycles. “All wood moves in three directions: There’s tangential, radial, and longitudinal movement,” says Jones. “With engineered products, you’re creating opposing forces within the board to try to restrict the natural movement of the wood.”
What is prefinished wood plank?
Hardwood planks can be purchased with a raw face that gets finished by a professional after installation, or prefinished, which arrives with the stain and topcoat already applied. The advantage of prefinished wood is that “you know exactly what you’re getting,” says Caroll, noting that once you select a product, you’ll have an exact sample to use in coordinating your home’s color palette and choosing other design elements, such as textiles, wall coverings, and cabinetry. Prefinished flooring also takes less time to install, because there's no need to apply color or sealant. “When you choose to do a site finish,” he adds, “you’re rolling the dice a little bit, and relying on the skills of the flooring contractor to get it right.”
How wide is a plank of hardwood flooring?
Although there was a time when it seemed that almost all hardwood flooring was installed in two- to three-inch strips, many people now use wider planks. “There’s a sense of luxury and expense associated with a wider plank,” says Miller. “Once you exceed the norm, it starts to feel special.” That’s why “a four- to six-inch plank is our standard specification, depending on the size of the room and the application,” she says, noting that, generally, the more expansive the room, the wider the plank they’ll choose.
Why does prefinished flooring take less time to install?
Prefinished flooring also takes less time to install, because there's no need to apply color or sealant. “When you choose to do a site finish,” he adds, “you’re rolling the dice a little bit, and relying on the skills of the flooring contractor to get it right.”.
How wide is LV wood?
At LV Wood, “seven inches has become our standard wide-plank floor,” says Caroll, and sizes go up from there. However, he adds, wider planks don’t just look more expensive—they are more expensive. “The wider you go, the more spendy you get.”
How much to add to finished square footage for cutting allowance?
Next, says Pastrana, “Measure your room—adding 5 percent to the finished square footage for cutting allowance—and snap chalk lines to balance the room before beginning.” Remove any millwork or trim that you’ll reuse, and remove flooring if necessary. If you’re nailing the floor, mark the wall to show the position of the floor joists.
What is engineered hardwood flooring?
Notwithstanding, technology has paved the way for engineered flooring. What does this term mean? In engineered flooring, the planks are manufactured with a thin layer of wood on the surface which is bound to other layers designed to stop the floor from shifting during contraction and expansion periods.
What is the purpose of engineered flooring?
The sole purpose of engineered flooring is to create opposing forces to counter these movements, thereby stabilizing the floor panels.
Can you add stains to prefinished flooring?
When ordering this flooring, you can customize it to fit the color scheme of your walls, cabinetry, tiles, textiles, and pieces of furniture, Installing prefinished flooring is easy and less time-consuming, as you wouldn’t need to add stains or topcoats to it.
Can you buy prefinished hardwood planks?
Depending on your choice, you may purchase hardwood planks with raw surfaces which will be finished by a professional after installation or woods that come with stain and topcoat finish. What makes prefinished flooring great is the fact that homeowners already know what they are purchasing in its final state.
Can you smooth engineered wood floors in an apartment?
However, when selecting an engineered flooring for your apartment, you need to check out the size of the wood layer used . Whereby, the wood layer added is extremely thin, it may be difficult to smoothen or refinish the material in the future. High grade engineered flooring comes with a thicker layer of solid wood.
Can you use Engineered Flooring in a basement?
Engineered flooring can be advantageous when used in apartments and basements with concrete subfloors. The height of a floor can be raised by installing solid wood over a layer of plywood or more. The catch to this is that it reduces the ceiling height and interferes with existing doors.
Can you customize site finish flooring?
Hence, it may take a longer time to complete. Nonetheless, site finish flooring provides independence for the house owner to specifically customize the flooring panels. In some cases, you may not find the exact type of flooring customization you need in the catalog of a flooring company. Hence, you would have to work along with your contractor ...