Expert advice on how to install hardwood floors from start to finish, including tools and materials, preparation, layout, cutting, and fastening

A successful hardwood floor installation is certainly one of the most rewarding do-it-yourself projects. New hardwood flooring can transform a room with warmth, beauty, and styleand it can also give the person who installed it a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Installing a new hardwood floor can completely transform a room.

Because installing hardwood flooring is usually a major, expensive home improvement, it pays to ensure a quality, durable result. The key is proper preparation.

Make sure that the subfloor will provide a good, solid, flat base and that the use and conditions of the room wont have a negative impact on the flooring. Too much foot traffic on a new floor or excessive temperature or humidity swings can diminish the quality ofand sometimes even ruinwood flooring. Proper preparation techniques depend upon the type of flooring youre installing and the conditions of the base that will be beneath it.

Before you get too far into your project, be sure to read the information in the tab above, Preparing Floors for Hardwood. More about selecting, preparation, and storing your flooring follows here. Then work your way through the numbered links at top right, which will guide you step-by-step through laying out, cutting, and fastening your wood flooring.

As discussed in theWood Flooring Buying Guide, solid- and engineered-wood floors differ significantly. Because solid-wood flooring is milled from lumber, it has a tendency to warp, twist, expand, and contract with changes in moisture and temperature. But because engineered-wood flooring is made from layers of wood sandwiched and bonded together, it is more stable and resistant to changes caused by extreme temperatures and humidity.

You can install a solid-wood floor on a conventional raised plywood subfloor or on a properly prepared concrete slab (see Preparing Floors for Hardwood) but only if the surface is above grade (it must be no more than 3 inches lower than the ground level outside) because moisture, which is typically present beneath below-grade floors, can be very damaging to solid wood. If your floor is below grade, choose a different material. Engineered-wood flooring may be installed above or below grade.

Bathrooms and kitchens are another story. Though moisture is present in both areas, you can protect the surface of a solid-wood floor with a sturdy, protective finish.

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Temperature and humidity can affect flooring planks. Acclimate the flooring in the house for 48 hours before installation. Stack the laminate flooring being used flat on the floor. Remove any plastic wrapping from the boxes and leave air space around each box to allow air to freely circulate around them. Have about 10 percent more flooring than the square feet of area of the room since you'll waste just a little when cutting some pieces.

Clean the subfloor to make sure it's free of any dirt and debris. If installing on top of a new concrete floor wait until the floor is fully cured. Using a pry bar and hammer, carefully remove all base molding (if necessary) and place it out of the way.

Start by laying out the vapor barrier one row at a time from the longest wall of the room. When joining two sheets of barrier together, follow the manufacturer's directions. Some manufacturers will have you overlap the vapor barrier and some will have you butt each row against the previous one.

Lay a piece of flooring flat on the subfloor and up against the door jambs. Use it as a guide to mark the jambs so that the new flooring can slide underneath the jamb. Use a flat saw or a coping saw to cut the jambs, making sure to cut parallel to the subfloor. This will give the floor and jamb a nice finished look without having to remove the entire jamb.

For the best appearance, lay planks parallel to the longest wall. Install the first plank with the groove toward the wall. Place 1/2" spacers against the wall and push the first plank up against them. These spaces create an expansion gap so that the floor can "breathe" (expand and contract) and not warp or buckle. This gap will be covered later with base molding. The spacers also allow the floor to have a firm base to install against. Place the spacers about every 12 inches along the wall and at the end of each plank against adjoining walls.

For each plank, match tongue to groove and tap it into place using a scrap piece of flooring to protect the planks. Make sure the pieces fit snugly together and that there are no gaps along the length of the planks. While installing subsequent rows, stagger the joints of the flooring. When starting a new row, offset it six to eight inches so the joints at the ends of planks are not lined up row to row (which can weaken the floor and create a too-uniform look).

The last plank will need to be trimmed to fit. To mark the plank to the correct width place a plank directly over the next to last plank and place another on top of that and slide the top plank until it sits evenly against spacers against the wall. Draw a line along the plank below the top plank along the edge of the top plank. This will mark the width of the gap between the next to the last plank and the wall. Rip cut the plank along this line and install.

Install any thresholds between the end of the flooring and any open doors where the flooring ends. Thresholds come in different styles to accommodate the kind and height of the flooring the new laminate floor butts up against. Remove the spacers and install base molding to cover the expansion gap.

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How to Install Laminate Flooring : How-To : DIY Network

Find out what installation type is right for you based on your skill level and the flooring types you are considering. Some floors are easy to install, while others require a professional touch. Determine your DIY skill level, view installation tips, and decide the best flooring installation option for you.

This video will help you to decide which flooring installation method is right for you. Whether you are planning to install your new floor yourself or hire professionals Armstrong can help. If you decide you want to complete your own flooring installation, be sure to visit our DIY Flooring Installation center to learn about the skills and tools needed to complete any type of flooring installation. If you are going to be hiring professional flooring installers, visit a nearby flooring store to find trusted Armstrong installers near you.

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Vinyl sheet floors can be installed three different ways: modified loose lay, glue-down with releasable adhesive or glue-down with permanent adhesive. Consider hiring a professional installer for your vinyl sheet installation.

Installing Vinyl Sheet Floors

Alterna vinyl tiles are available in large 16 x 16 tiles for ease of installation. Alterna can also be grouted immediately after installation, so theres no need to wait.

Installing Alterna Floors

Luxe Plank is easy to install just peel the release paper from the back of the plank and press it into place. You can also easily reposition the planks if you want to move them.

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Floor Sanding and wood floor fitting is our specialty. This is where our professional expertise,extensive experience, team working and dedicated customer careblend together to allow us offer a tailored, flexible and reliabledomestic and commercial wood floor renovation and wood floor installation services.

Wood floor sanding is integral part of our floor restoration service, which includeslight and deep floor sanding of various wood species and will provide you with an aftercare maintenance package with our wood floor clean & polishing or re-oiling service. Sealingfloors isa craft that we excel in and we offer professional, tailor-madesolutionwithteams, which have gone through professional floor sanding training, cutting edge floor restoration technology handling,applicationof advanced, hard wearing products and utmost attention to detail while remaining fully focused on you andyour unique preference.

Our approach to wood floor refinishing relies as well on the leading names in wood floor restoration equipment, oils and lacquers such as Bona, Osmo and Junckers. We have selected them for the perfect parquet or hardwood floor refinishing.

Our wood floor fitting service comes with ultimate attention to detail, focused on durability and safety of installation.We do not cut corners or retainour advice on proper floorpreparation beforeputting the final layer of your parquet flooring, solid wood or engineered wood flooring. FlooringFirst partnerswith leading industrysuppliers of oak flooring and offersan extensive rangeof flooring options and insulation to match and surpass yourexpectations.

Parquet floor fittingis where our passion for wooden floors and expertise come handy. Ourexperienced parquet floor fitters and customer service team will be happy to provide you with various fitting and decorative options.

Solid wood floor fitting is taken with extra carein planning and installation. Before proceeding our team will make sure your subfloor is ready to take your new floors without the risk of environment interaction.

All wood floor fitting products and methods used by FlooringFirst are selected and designed for the type of flooring installed. FlooringFirst uses mainly non-hazardous wood floor adhesives, primers and moisture barriers. Our flexible adhesives range is designed to allow the hardwood floors have their natural moves during seasons, while keeping their solid state intact.

Our wood floor repair services are built along our years of experience. With various floors and causes of damage and wear, you can rest assured our wood floor restoration specialists will be able to help with the minimum cost required. Whether it is a scratch repair for your new floors, damage caused by water leakor poor fitting service - there is a high chance of us being to able to help you. Just give us a call and we will be happy to give you a free advice and immediate wood floor repairs service.

Nothing can compare with the renovated look of your old hardwood flooring or softwood (original pine boards) floors. The authentic feeling of the old, dry timber, gone through the restoration process of the wood floor sanding, can not be replaced by any type of newly laid solid wood floors or parquet flooring. Whether it is a contemporary urban loft conversion, a Victorian terraced house or country cottage, it is the choice of wood floor restoration, we will always recommend - as the beauty of the old french oak timber, beach, cherry or mahogany, can not be replaced by anything else.

As a fact, based on estate agents and landlords statistics - properties which have well-maintained real wooden floors rather than carpet, vinyl or laminate are more likely to command higher prices.

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Theres so much to love about vinyl flooring installation. Its an excellent way to enhance your home's beauty while adding value. Its versatility allows you to choose from a wide variety of striking designs, colors and patterns. It can mimic hardwoods or look like ceramic tile. Plus, installing vinyl flooring is a great choice for high-traffic areas since its resilient and comfortable under foot.

Vinyl flooring comes in three formats. Vinyl tiles are ideal for smaller rooms and attach in any pattern you desire. Vinyl sheets are ideal for larger rooms and cut to the dimensions of your floor for a mostly seamless look. Vinyl planks are also more suited for larger rooms and can look either like a single board or recreate the look of multiple smaller boards.

Our experienced, licensed installers will take you through your options, develop a floor plan and help you decide on the right vinyl floor installation for your dcor and lifestyle. Plus, vinyl can be installed over most existing floors, requiring very little prep work. So you can be enjoying your new vinyl flooring faster than you think.

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Welcome to Installertools.com, the Internets largest supplier of carpet tools, carpet installation supplies, Ditra. Your orders are pulled and shipped from over 20 shipping facilities. We pull all flooring tool and supply orders from one of the largest inventories in the United States.Orders are processed and shipped in a timely manner, and freight rates are kept to a minimal, shipping on any size order via ground is only $8.00

No PO Boxes Please. Shipping rates valid for shipments inside the Continental US.

Save money on carpet tools and flooring tools of all kinds. When you order carpet installation supplies or carpet stretchers from our online catalog, you can be assured that your shipment will arrive on time. With 15 fully stocked shipping facilities, we'll pull your order of flooring tools and ship so you'll receive your tools when you need them.

Low Priced Carpet Tools Professional installers depend on quality merchandise and low priced carpet tools. If you are in the carpet installation service industry, you can't afford low quality carpet tools at high prices. That's why professionals depend on Installer Tools for quality, convenience, and low priced professional standard carpet kneekickers, carpet stretchers, and other flooring tools.

Flooring Tools for Professionals Installer Tools is a cornerstone provider of carpet tools for professional installers. With knowledgeable staff and fully stocked warehouses, we will easily work with you on the largest orders of wholesale flooring tools and help you cut costs on premium merchandise.

Carpet Tools for Home Installation Our customer service agents are happy to work with home installers to help you with all your questions about carpet machines, carpet stretchers, and carpet kickers. Let us serve you.

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Everything in your house rests on your floors. And building your dreams from the ground up begins with professional flooring installation by The Home Depot. Our flooring contractors, specialists and home service partners meet the highest standards for kitchen flooring, basement flooring, bathroom flooring or any other floor installation in your home. Whats more, they bring the experience and know-how to understand that every customer, every project is unique making a commitment to install the perfect flooring thats right you, your home and your lifestyle.

But whats beautiful flooring you cant afford? Thats why along with our huge selection of flooring options, we offer several convenient financing plans. From achieving fixed, low monthly payments with the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card to financing larger or multiple projects with The Home Depot Project Loan, well help you find the flexible buying power to help you get your project underwayall at a price to meet your budget and exceed your dreams.

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Wood Floors are an INVESTMENT, and add value to your home, thus decisions concerning them should not be taken lightly. Seek a wood floor professional, with an established business, reference list of satisfied customers, and a port-folio you can view past work.

Wood Floors are a beautiful and natural product that sets it apart from other floor coverings. The ultimate appearance and performance in any application, however, are dependent upon the installation and finishing process, with close attention by the installer and finisher to a number of details prior to and during the actual installation and finishing process.

It has taken many years of practical experience to describe the simplest methods of achieving successful finishing of various types of hardwood flooring. This information is generally applicable to the installation of most hardwood flooring products. With today's technological advances, in regards to finishes, techniques and finishing equipment, we will attempt to help you understand the many steps involved in the installing of wood floor products as the accepted methods used throughout the Wood Floor Industry.

When doing it yourself, always read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Individual manufacturers may provide instructions which vary from the generally accepted practices of the trade. Use of this material herein is at your own risk, and InstallingWoodFloors.com and/or Wood Floors International, Inc., or affiliated sites assumes no responsibility and accepts no liability for the application of the principles or techniques contained in this site or any other affiliated site including linked sites (user see terms of use). These guidelines/standards for installation of wood floor products are standards set forth by industry trade association using reliable installation principles taken from many years of practical experience using simplest methods of achieving successful installing of the various types of hardwood flooring products.

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How to Install Wood Floors | Installing HardWood Floors | Types of ...

A tile floor is a great addition to areas of your home that gets a lot of traffic. Tile floors are durable and easy to clean. Follow these steps to install a tile floor in your home.

Floor tiles should be centered in the room for the best visual appearance. Keep this in mind when you lay out the floor tile. Make sure you have prepared the subfloor properly before you begin laying tile. Before beginning, remove tiles from the different boxes and randomly mix them to ensure that minor color differences dont form an unwanted pattern in your new floor.

Some ceramic tiles have spacers built into the tile itself.

Some adhesives emit toxic and flammable fumes. Provide good ventilation, especially in confined locations such as shower stalls. Always refer to the product label for safety precautions. Also exercise caution when using tile-cutting tools.

For best results, periodically lift a tile to make sure the mortar is sticking well. If not, apply additional thinset on the back side with a trowel. If numerous tiles are not getting good adhesion, use a trowel with larger notches.

As you near cabinets, doorways, walls and other flooring stops, trim tiles as needed for installation.

Use a tile cutter for small, straight cuts.

Use a tile saw (rentable) if necessary for cutting numerous or thick tiles.

For making curved cuts, you can use tile nippers. If the tile is too thick for nippers, try the following method:

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