While many argue that the home buying process is the most challenging part of being a homeowner, renovations take on an entirely different level of patience and determination. One of the most important ventures of making your home is the choice of flooring. While a seemingly basic prospect, it’s one of the most important decisions homeowners need to make. There are plenty of options to choose from, but the standard flooring remains to be hardwood.
But even your choice of hardwood flooring comes with its own set of challenges—not all hardwood flooring is made equal, so selecting the right flooring for your home isn’t as simple as choosing colors. Factors come into play, and when you finally settle the matter, you must consider the installation process.
Fret not—from your choice of finishes up to the finishing touches, here’s everything you need to know about choosing and installing hardwood floors:
Pre-planning: Choosing the Hardwood Flooring
1 - Choose the finish
hardwood flooring comes with many different finishing products, which can come in two different categories: oil and polyurethane. Oil seeps well into the wood, making it matter, soft, and natural, but it remains susceptible to damage and stains.
Polyurethane, on the other hand, creates a topcoat on the wood’s surface, one that’s resilient to wear and tear. As you choose your floor’s finish, keep maintenance in mind: how often are you willing to touch up your floors?
2 - Determine the right wood type for you
Oak reigns supreme in hardwood flooring, and for good reason—apart from being durable, oak also stains well. It also comes with an appealing natural grain, which is a steal considering its reasonable prices.
Walnut is another common choice, which is perfect for homeowners craving for a darker finish. Other hardwoods like cherry, ash, maple, and hickory are good choices, but the final decision ultimately comes down to personal preference.
3 - Choose your plank width
While narrower wood planks are common, more and more homeowners now choose to use wider planks. It adds a delicate touch of luxury, helping you alleviate your home’s overall atmosphere.
The norm has always been small planks and detracting from that exhibits some form of uniqueness, one that can make your room look better than how it did. 4 to 6 inches of planks are good places to start, but the final measurements will depend entirely on the size of the room. The bigger the room, the wider your plank should be!
Execution: Installing the Hardwood Flooring
1 - Prepare the room
Your products will likely come with detailed installation instructions, so study those carefully. You will need to gather all the necessary tools, as well as ensure that your floors are clean, flat, and completely dry. As you prepare to install each plank, measure your room once more, and add a cutting allowance on each plank.
2 - Install away
Roll out an underlayment, especially when it’s necessary. Lay your planks parallel to the longest wall in the room, and use spacers between boards and walls, as your wood planks will eventually expand. It’s important to still follow the manufacturer’s directions, however, especially since you’re dealing with a specific type of hardwood floor.
3 - Add the finishing touches
Your finishing touches are the most important part of your project. They make or break the appearance of your entire hardwood floor, so never cut corners here. You may need to cut boards to accommodate tight spaces and awkward angles, so keep your eyes sharp and your patience intact.
The Bottom Line
Your home is a sanctuary away from the busyness of the world, so you’d naturally want to make it as comfortable and presentable as possible. Choosing to change your flooring may be a venture nearly impossible to do, but with the aforementioned tips above, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your flooring!
For home flooring services in Calgary, choose Home Floors! We’re a home flooring and carpet store passionate about quality and excellence, especially when it comes to transforming homes and professional spaces. Allow us to meet your needs—reach out to us today!
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