The Do’s and Don’t of Wood Flooring Installation

• Home

The Do’s and Don’t of Wood Flooring Installation

Thursday, May 28th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Hardwood flooring can add a great traditional touch to any home. For an addition of elegance and time tested quality, wood flooring is a great option. A high quality maple or oak wood flooring can really put a new face on a home, while also building a base for an elegant atmosphere. Hardwood flooring can be found in almost every imaginable color and shade. Finding the best kind of flooring can be a little daunting, but the process is always rewarding in the end. Although carpet can certainly work in some situations, wood flooring has a traditional appeal that is hard to deny.

The first step is in finding out whether your home is appropriate for wood flooring. Regions that undergo severe weather conditions and change temperature extremes every season, hardwood may have a tendency to crack and split with expansion and contraction. High humidity is also a real issue when it comes to hardwoods. Excess moisture can wick up from the subfloor and into the wood through spills, leading to warping and buckling over time. Crowning and cupping are issues associated with moisture exposure, and be an expensive problem. When a floor crowns or cups, it bows out of shape, most frequently in the middle of the floor. This can be a difficult issue to correct once moisture has caused the problem.

Once you have decided that hardwood is the right choice for you as a homeowner, there are many products and manufacturers from which to choose. Maple and oak are typically seen in older homes, while cedar gives a more rustic and natural atmosphere. A higher gloss finish will result in a more reflective surface, while a lower gloss fits in with a darker setting. The thickness of the boards is also an important factor in selecting the right wood flooring product. Thicker boards will be more durable and more resistant to moisture.

Moisture is a big problem for hardwood flooring. Avoid contact with moisture wherever possible, and clean up spills promptly. If storing wood flooring outdoors before installation, make certain that the wood is protected against moisture. Clean up spills on wood floors as quickly as possible to prevent permanent damage. If water beads up on the surface of the flooring, it is time for another coat of finishing on the flooring. Protect your investment, and wood flooring can last for generations.

Leave a Reply