Installing Hardwood Floors: Is It The Right Option For Your Home? - By: Rob Richards, Posted on: 2007-07-31

If you think installing hardwood floors requires professional help from carpenters, you have not kept pace with recent developments on the field. The job of installing hardwood floors is now easier than ever before and anyone can easily perform the task. The task is made easier with pre-finished flooring, where the wood is factory-finished and you are saved from the labor of sanding and finishing the floor.

Its amazing what a change to your home wood floors can bring. The great thing is, it increases the value of your home at the same time.

Other than the ever-popular red oak, there are many varieties of hardwood are available in several colors and textures to add a touch of class to your home. Selection of the type of material you want to use in installing hardwood floors can become easier if you do a search on the Internet or make a preliminary visit to a hardware shop.

Local merchants and online vendors sell the pre-finished flooring. The wood should be stacked in the room for a couple of days allowing it to adjust to the house's humidity level. Hot weather causes expansion of the wood, so a hlf inch margin should be left between the floor and the walls. This may be covered with baseboard strips.

For the actual installation of the floors, follow the instructions given by the supplier. These are usually the things you have to do step-by-step to get a custom finish on the floor. The wood comes already micro-beveled to allow for expansion of wood in summers.

An old floor appearing well worn can also be refinished to give it a new life and fresh look. Prior to starting the job of refinish, all furniture, rugs, drapes and other articles on the floor have to be removed. It takes about three days for a refinished floor to be usable again. During this time, doors and windows of the room can be kept closed to prevent airborne dust settling on the floor. It is preferable to allow one more day, after the job is finished, before placing the furniture and other items back on the floor.

Laminate floors are better still, as they require very little maintenance and are easier to install. This kind of flooring is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and other damage, making it particularly suited for withstanding heavy traffic, say if you have pets or kids. Laminate floors can be laid easily thanks to the tongue and groove interlocking system that the flooring comes with.

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