The Types of Hardwood Floor Installation

Hardwood floors can give a home warmth and appeal, not to mention increase the real estate market value. However installing wood floors properly is not a task to be undertaken by the novice for a home improvement project. Although it may look easy to install hardwood floors, when done improperly the result can be floors that don’t hold up to the test of time.

When you decide on hardwood floor installation you need to have a professional contractor do the job. Make sure you check the license of any contractor you are considering against the state contractor licensing board to ensure that they are current on their license and that they don’t have a long laundry list of complaints against them. You should also get at least three written bids and references that you check before you make your final contractor selection.

Once you decide on a contractor you will need to decide on what type of hardwood floor installation you want. There are generally three different types of installation to choose from including floating, glued or nailed. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages and you should discuss each with your contractor before you decide which is best for you.

Overall a floating floor is considered best for clients who live in a tropical climate due to the fact that humidity can make wood contract and expand. A floating floor is a floor where each piece of wooding is connected to the next piece, but the floor itself is not connected to the subfloor. This works well in tropical climates as the floor expands and contracts without becoming warped.

Your other choice of hardwood floor installation includes gluing or nailing the floor down. Gluing will give your floor the sound and feel of a solid traditional wood floor however good adhesive can be expensive. This however is not an area to try and cut corners since the floor adhesive is a big part of the finished product itself.

If you prefer of course you can have the floor stapled or nailed down to a subfloor. This is the most economical method and may be the easiest method to actually do.

Which ever method you ultimately select, your hardwood floor should last a lifetime if installed correctly. And when it’s all said and done, hardwood floors offer many advantages over traditional carpeting including improving indoor air quality. Carpeting can release toxins into the environment and capture dust, dust mites and mold that you continue to breathe in. Hardwood floors on the other hand don’t hide or contain any toxins and they are easier to clean and last longer than carpeting.

Hardwood flooring can go anywhere in the house with a few exceptions. Many home owners don’t like hardwood floors in a full bath or kitchen but where you decide to install your hardwood flooring is really a personal choice and up to you.