Preparation is Essential
New hardwood floors provide a beautiful look to your home and may even increase its value. At Colonial Interiors we offer a variety of hardwood flooring options for a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. To help make sure your new floors look the way you want and wear as you expect them to, consider having them installed by a professional hardwood flooring specialist. An experienced installer will understand the differences found among the various types of hardwood flooring available, and have the specialized skills and tools needed for a successful installation. If you do plan to install your own hardwood flooring, be sure to check the manufacturer’s approved installation guidelines and warranties before starting the job. Keep in mind that a professionally installed hardwood floor will more likely be covered by the manufacturer warranty if the need should arise.
The best method for installation will be determined by the width, thickness and construction of the flooring you’ve chosen and where you plan to put it. For a hardwood flooring installation, methods for fastening can include stapling, nailing, or gluing to the subfloor layer. Solid hardwood floors are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. This makes them unsuitable for applications below the grade line of your property. If you plan to put new hardwood flooring in a basement, bathroom, or kitchen, engineered hardwood may be a better choice because it has no issues with seasonal changes in climate.
Before Installation Day
Preparation is very important for a successful hardwood flooring project. Of course, you should consult with your Colonial Interiors flooring specialist for complete instructions, but here are a few things you should consider to get an idea of what your project will involve.
- Hardwood flooring requires a flat, clean surface for a proper installation. To ready the area for your new flooring, you may have to remove your existing flooring. This process will be different for different types of existing flooring and extra care may be required if your previous flooring is glued down or set in tile adhesive. Calling in a pro at this point is a good idea, since a professional hardwood specialist will come equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to do the job right, and judge when the flooring surface is ready. A pro may also be able to assist with the disposal of your old flooring.
2. You will also need to remove all the furniture from the rooms where your new hardwood is to be installed. A professional moving and storage company can be incredibly useful at this point, especially for large or heavy items. A professional moving team can have a single room ready in a matter of hours, and a whole house in as little as a day. This will minimize the amount of time you have to live without your furniture at the end of each job. You should also take down photos or other wall hangings which can be damaged accidentally during the installation of your hardwood flooring.
During & After Installation Day
- An adult member of your household (age 18 or older) should greet your installer and show them to the work area.
- Be sure to get a walkthrough of the job from the lead installer to give you a clear idea of what the work involved and ask them any questions you have about the job.
- To ensure everyone’s safety and to help the job go smoothly, keep children and pets away from the work area for the duration of the job.
- Stay off your new floors for the required amount of time after the job is done. The stain and varnish that has been used on the surface will need time to cure properly. The lead installer will be able to advise you on how long this will take.
- If the smell of varnish or stain bothers you, open windows for ventilation or stay out of the house until the air has had time to clear.
