Wood Floors – All About Wood Floors

wood floor installation

Wood is a superior floor covering in all but wet locations. Wood flooring is available in strip, plank, and tile, either solid or laminate. Made of hardwood, usually maple, cherry, or oak; planks and tiles have tongue and groove joints for secure placement. Most types are available finished or unfinished, and rough boards can be up to a foot wide, though these are rarely used because wide boards are more susceptible to bowing and bowing.

laminated wood flooring

Laminate wood flooring is typically comprised of a hardwood veneer over a solid pine core, or multiple layers of hardwood glued together under pressure, such as plywood. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs, and parquet tiles are sometimes attached to a fabric backing to facilitate faster and easier alignment. Laminate wood flooring is typically glued in place and can be laid over any clean, dry subfloor. Special methods and precautions must be observed when installing hardwood flooring over concrete, especially in basements where potential moisture levels may be sufficient to cause the wood to swell and warp upward.

If your subfloor is rough or uneven, a properly installed 1/4″ plywood underlayment will aid in the installation, appearance, and longevity of your hardwood floor. It will also help reduce squeaks and the potential for cracking. If the new floor is higher than the adjacent floors, the edges (especially at doorways) should be finished with rounded or tapered hardwood molding.

The base can be covered with 15 lbs. felt (sometimes known as tar paper, roofing felt, or construction paper) which will further reduce squeaks and extend the life of the floor. Handling and storage are extremely important, and wood flooring should be allowed to sit for a minimum of one week in the area where it will be installed. This will allow the moisture content of the wood to reach some equilibrium with its surroundings; otherwise the floorboards can shrink or swell, sometimes quite drastically. The floor should be parallel to the long dimension of the room, spreading the joints from end to end and leaving a perimeter space equal to the thickness of the boards. Experienced floorers will know how tightly the boards should be laid, based on the moisture content of the wood and the relative humidity level in the room(s) on the day of installation.

nail hard wood

The choice of nails or other fasteners is also critical to the successful installation of your flooring. With unfinished floors, fasteners must be properly positioned to facilitate sanding prior to finishing.

FLOATING FLOORS are made of laminate flooring panels, laid over a 1/8″ high-density foam floating wood flooring system, on top of a concrete slab, and glued at the joints. For basement floors, 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier may be installed. Consult your materials supplier and/or other experienced individuals before attempting to install hardwood flooring in a basement.

BOTTOM LINE: Selecting, installing, and finishing a hardwood floor can be a rewarding experience, but do your homework first! If you have minimal experience working with wood or are unsure about a particular installation, you should consider hiring a professional. The cost of materials is quite high compared to other floor coverings, and a professional installation will protect you from damage and ensure satisfaction with your new hardwood floor.