Hardwood Floor Installation

The other day I was in this huge shopping complex and there was this amazing hardwood floor there. I have always loved wooden flooring! I mean there is nothing as elegant and durable as wooden decor and wooden flooring, isn't it? But there is a small problem, it is vulnerable to moisture and rot. This is one of the reasons that these days a number of homeowners are slightly skeptical about wooden flooring. But there is still a way out if you are a diehard wooden flooring fan and want it even though you have a concrete floor. You can have a hardwood flooring installed over the concrete. Want to know how? The article is precisely going to be about hardwood flooring installation.

Installation of Hardwood Floor on Concrete

There are actually several ways of installing a hardwood floor these days. With the newer technology it has become easier. Most of the homeowners opt to install hardwood floors on the already existent concrete. That is comparatively easier and convenient!

Step 1 - Getting Ready
The first thing for laying hardwood floors is to clean the concrete flooring till it is squeaky clean. Also remember that after you clean the concrete flooring, it will have to be completely dry before wooden floor can be fixed on it. Moreover, if the concrete flooring is new, wood flooring cannot be fixed on it for a minimum of 60 days. Along with cleaning the concrete completely and getting it rid of dust and sand is a part of the preparation for laying the wooden floor. The rough spots have to be evened out using a sander on the concrete floor, along with an application of a moisture barrier with the help of a paint roller. The reason is that doing this will seal the concrete, protecting the hardwood floor. This will take at least 16 hours to dry. Most importantly get the flooring at least a week prior to the approximate day you want to install hardwood flooring.

Step 2 - Tools
You will need several tools for the installation. These are measuring tape, hammer, paint roller, painter's tape, adhesive, saw, 1/4" round molding and mineral spirits. You will have to keep these things handy.

Step 3 - Installation
Now here we come to the actual hardwood floor installation. You don't want to end up on a no man's island while you are looking at how to install hardwood flooring, so start off at the edge of the longest wall of the room where you want to install the flooring. Then follow the steps as follows -

• Apply the adhesive, on the concrete floor, directly starting at the spot as mentioned above. Place the wood flooring straight on the adhesive.
• Press down the flooring to make sure that the boards stick firmly to the concrete and to each other.
• Use a rag dipped in mineral spirits as you go on working on the boards and the glue to remove the extra glue from the wooden flooring.
• There has to be a 1/4 inch gap between the wood flooring and the wall while you go about hardwood flooring installation.
• In case it is deemed to be necessary, for taping the boards together, use the painter's tape, for ensuring that the boards are secured well enough.
• As described in the above steps, complete the installation in the room

There you have done it! Congratulations! You have finally understood installing hardwood flooring! There is one thing, though, you will have to check how well have the boards been fitted by walking lightly around the room. The adhesive will need to dry overnight or more, for around 12 hours. Before that put a no entry board on the room! This applies to installation of engineered hardwood floor, too!

Eventually, once the adhesive dries, nail the 1/4 inch round molding to the wall. This is required to cover the expansion joint. If you do not have that, a regular baseboard can be used in place of that molding. Doing this on your own will save you the cost of installing a hardwood floor! You can also go in for prefinished hardwood flooring! Till next time, adios!