Hardwood floors offer several benefits for homeowners. They’re durable, easy to clean and last longer than other types of flooring. Wood Flooring Fairfield NJ is also an environmentally friendly because it’s a naturally renewable material. Besides, it looks great and adds value to your home.
Underlayment
Underlayment is the layer of material underneath your new wood floor that provides a barrier between your flooring and the subfloor. It also serves as a sound barrier and insulation.
There are a few different types of underlayment that you can choose from. These include felt, rubber and foam.
Felt underlayment is a budget-friendly choice that offers basic sound-dampening and moisture protection. However, using this type of underlayment is not recommended as your primary flooring underlayment if you live in an area with high humidity.
Foam underlayment is another popular option for hardwood floors. It is a versatile material that works well for many applications and is often layered to provide additional cushioning.
The species of your hardwood floor and the room you’re installing it in also play a role in your underlayment selection. For example, softer wood species such as black walnut and white oak require extra support and stability from their subfloors, so they typically work best with cork or rubber underlayments.
Glue
Glue is an essential part of the installation process, as it bonds the planks together. It also provides a vapor barrier to protect the wood from moisture and allows for a more stable installation.
Choosing the right glue is important, as it can impact the look, sound, and feel of your floor. Several factors affect which type of glue you need, including the hardwood or engineered product you choose, the subfloor, and the environment.
Urethane adhesives are the most common type of hardwood flooring adhesive used in today’s marketplace. This type of adhesive has an elasticity that helps it stay flexible as the floor moves and expands.
Using the correct trowel and spreading the glue evenly over the entire subfloor is crucial. If you apply it too thin, the wood will absorb moisture and will not bond properly.
Planks
Hardwood flooring planks come in a variety of widths from 5-8 inches wide. They can be sourced from all types of hardwood species including oak, pine, and ash.
When choosing your wood, the first consideration is the type of coloration, brightness, character, and durability you desire. These factors determine how well the hardwood will blend with your existing home decor and furniture.
Another consideration is room size and style. The width of your hardwood flooring will influence the room’s overall appearance.
If you’re installing hardwood in a narrow room, wide wood planks can make it appear wider by running across the floor parallel to the long wall. Random width wood planks also add visual interest and can be used to create a dramatic effect in a small space.
In addition to determining the width of your hardwood floor, you’ll also want to decide how you will stagger the boards. Ideally, planks should be six inches apart from each other to avoid seams.
Installation
Hardwood flooring is a great choice for any home. It is durable, beautiful and easy to clean. It is available in many different species, grains and sizes.
Before you begin installing your hardwood floors, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. This will ensure you have a professional-quality installation.
Installing your wood floor properly is essential to a flawless installation and long-lasting results. It requires knowledge of the space and how to work around walls, vents and doorways.
The first few rows of planks will be the most challenging part of the installation process. You must ensure that each row is straight and evenly placed.
Start at the longest unobstructed wall, snap a chalk line 3/8” out from the baseboard (this allows for expansion in the hot, humid weather and contraction in the colder, drier weather of the hardwood flooring). Once you have laid your hardwood floor planks in a straight line, face nail them in place as close to the wall as possible.
