The Fundamentals of Hardwood Flooring Installation
If you are considering getting hardwood floors installed, you might be curious as to what to expect. You might even have some questions advantages of hardwood floors and how long you can expect them to last. These are all good question.
Advantages
There are many advantages to installing hardwood floors in your home.
- Low maintenance: Hardwood flooring is easy to take care of. The stains and finishes can usually be cleaned by simply sweeping or vacuuming. Occasionally, they need to be cleaned with a professional wood floor cleaning product.
- Allergy-friendly: Unlike carpets, wood floors don’t collect dust, crumbs or other small particles.
- Long-lasting: Hardwood floors are worth the cost. They last for decades and can be refinished several times.
- Sustainable: Hardwood floors are renewable and recyclable.
Durability
Not only do wood floors last a long time, they are quite durable. Today’s finishes are able to stand up to heavy traffic. They no longer require stripping, buffing or waxing and can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms. Of course, if water is allowed to pool and sit for long periods of time, it could cause damage.
Installation Process
Before making the decision to install hardwood flooring and hiring a professional, take the time to speak with a design consultant. You want to make sure this is the type of flooring that suits your particular needs.
Once you have made a decision, you need to remove furniture, curtains and anything that could be easily knocked off the walls during installation. Cracks, holes and gauges that might interfere with installation are repaired. If necessary, contractors will sand your floor. Then, the wood planks are installed. Because dustless sanding processes are typically used, you don’t need to vacate your home while your new floors are being sanded for smoothness. Lastly, they will stain and finish your floors.
It is wise to hire experts to install your wood flooring. They are able to come in and expedite the procedure and minimally disrupt your life. Hardwood flooring is a wonderful investment.