Wood flooring makes a beautiful addition to any home. It adds warmth and elegance to any room and can create a positive first impression when visitors enter. However, you might not enjoy all of these advantages if it is not properly installed.
Installing hardwood floor isn’t as easy as it may seem. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, especially if you choose to do it yourself. The good news is that most of these problems can be prevented.
The following are the most common mistakes when installing wood floor.
Not preparing the subfloor
You need to make a good bed for your new floor. But sometimes, homeowners are too eager to get started on the project that they skimp on this aspect of the work.
Subfloor should be dry, flat and clean prior to installation. Failure to prepare the subfloor will cause the floors to be loose and squeaky. You may also notice that the things on the table shake when you walk by. Don’t let your excitement prevent you from providing it a proper home.
Not checking for moisture
Wood flooring should never be installed in areas of high humidity such as the basement or bathroom. The extra moisture can damage the wood over time. Moisture won’t be a problem if you take steps to handle it prior to installation. Be sure to check the moisture level in the area where you’re planning to install wood flooring.
No expansion gaps
Because wood is a natural material, it can contract and expand under certain circumstances. A very common mistake made when installing hardwood floor is that they don’t leave enough space between the walls the wood planks.
Woods need space to contract and expand without restriction. Be sure to leave an expansion gap of 1 to 2 cm. If not, you may find big gaps between the boards come winter and it will definitely look awful.
