How to Install a Solid Wood Floor?

In as far as natural appeal and durability is concerned, wood is the top choice for our floors. Whether it is in the living room, family rooms, and dining rooms and in the other parts of the home; wood flooring will always be considered as the top option for homeowners and contractors alike for it is both practical and attractive. Many homeowners, though, are not too keen in using solid wood floor in the bathrooms as wood contracts and expands because of moisture and can lead to rotting if it remains in contact with water for an extended time. In reality, solid wood floors can be used in the bathroom as long as the proper finishing is done and that the required care and maintenance is observed by homeowners.

Solid Wooden Floors Pre-Installation Activities

Make sure that your new set of solid wood floor is laid on a level, smooth, structurally sound and clean base flooring. Before you commence with the actual installation of your wood flooring, it is essential that these are stacked indoors for several days so that the wood can adjust to the humidity level inside your home.

Wooden Flooring Installation Steps

1. Follow an installation plan where the solid wood floor is installed perpendicular to the joists of your floor.

2. The locations of the floor joists along the wall must be marked for reference.

3. The sub-floor must be covered with a layer of asphalt felt to minimize squeaks and to prevent moisture accumulation.

4. Make a mark of the centerline where the solid wood floor is going to be installed.

5. If you are installing the wood floor in a room that is not a perfect square, place the tongue of the first row in a parallel position to your centerline and rip the side of the groove at the angle which is parallel to your wall.

6. Do not fail to lay out several rows of the boards during the installation and stagger the boards in such a way that an end joint does not come closer than half a foot to the end joint of the succeeding row.

7. As you are installing the strips, cut pieces of no less than 8 inches in length to fit at each row's end. You must also allow for half an inch space from the wall.

8. Fasten down the solid wood flooring to the subflooring. Once the installation of the solid wood floor is completed, sanding and finishing follows.