When you first start learning how to install a hardwood floor, you need solid hardwood basics. These fundamentals will make sure that your floors are installed properly and that your floor is sound and will look great for years to come. One of the most important things to remember about installing a hardwood floor is to make sure that you have the right tools for the job. If you don’t, you may end up damaging your floors or wasting money on tools that will never get the job done. It is important to always have the proper tools on hand when working on any wood floor type.
The first of the solid hardwood basics that you need to know is that you have to remove the old underlayment before beginning work. If the old underlayment is glued down, it will be impossible for the floor to be properly set into the floor. In some cases, the underlayment may even need to be removed for the floor to fit correctly. This can be one of the most frustrating things that someone has to learn when doing their first solid hardwood basics installation.
Once you have removed the old underlayment, you need to prepare the area you will be working in. Most people will use open space to start their project, but if you have a smaller space, you will still get a solid hardwood basics installation started. You will need to be sure that the floor is level and clean to have a good solid floor when you are done. There are several tools that you will need to get the project off to a great start. These include a spirit level, tape measure, straight edge, pencil, paper, level, hammer, nails, and drill bits.
After you have laid your floor and made sure that it is all level, you will want to sand it down. The best way to do this is to put on a sander. Start by sanding the edges and then go all the way around the entire floor. You should never send any part of the floor until all the way through it. Once you have finished sanding, it is time to install your solid hardwood basics. To do this, you will be using the same spiritual level as you did before.
The next step is to build up the framework of your floor. This includes nailing the nails and then filling them with wood glue. When the floor is ready, you can then start to nail down the trim. Nails are essential to make sure that everything stays put and looks nice. If you have carpeting, make sure you get rid of it before installing your hardwood basics.
The next thing you need to do is install the molding. If there is not a molding already attached to the wall, you will need to buy some of these or make some yourself. The main thing you need to make sure of is that they fit right before you nail them down. To get them just right, you will need a few supplies. One of them is a pencil.
Also, you need to cut your solid oak board to the correct size. Using a jigsaw also helps to cut things nicely. You will be cutting all of the moldings off of your floor as well as all of the edges. Once you have all of this down, you will need to set up your saw and preheat it. If you are doing a small room, you can leave the saw at full speed to save yourself some time.
Once you have all of these down, you can now install your hardwood basics. Remember to always double screw all of your corners. You will also want to use two boards to support the floor. This will ensure that you are not bending the subfloor while you are installing the hardwood basics. If you don’t have any confidence in doing this on your own, you can call Hardwoods San Antonio to install it for you.