When it comes to a quick and easy way to change the look of a room, wooden floors are a perfect choice. Laminate and hardwood flooring continues to be popular because of the natural aesthetic they provide as well as the fact that they look good with both modern and traditional décor. According to the good folk at Dallas Floors, experts when it comes to floor installation, wooden flooring is an affordable way to add great value to your home.
Can You Install a Wooden Floor Yourself?
If you do not class yourself as good at DIY, it is probably best to leave the installation of a new wooden floor to the experts. If you are handy with tools and a measuring tape though, then there is no reason why you can’t give it a go yourself. What you should be aware of however is that while laminate flooring can be quick and easy to install, it may be a bit trickier with hardwood flooring.
Laminate flooring is tougher and less susceptible to damage than hardwood flooring, so it is best to leave this to the experts if possible. Nevertheless, if you are happy to have a laminate floor, you can easily do this yourself thanks to a tongue and groove design that allows them to be clicked together easily.
What Will You Need?
The most obvious item you will need is the laminate flooring. The good news is that you can find a range of styles in an assortment of colors and styles to suit your own preferences. You will need to measure the length and width of the room and then add an extra 10 to 15 percent to allow for cutting and waste.
In addition to the laminate boards, you will also need to prepare the floor underneath with a suitable underlay, such as foam. Other equipment that you will need include:
- pencil
- tapping block
- hammer or rubber mallet
- tape measure
- saw, such as a handsaw or jigsaw
- straightedge
Laying the Floor
You can remove the trims or keep them on the wall and lay the flooring around them if you prefer, but most experts advise that it is best to remove them as it makes the job easier as well as giving a nicer finish. You should start by laying the underlay. If you have boards, place them around the room, making sure they fit together neatly. Cut them as necessary. If you are using underlay sheets, make sure the edges touch but that they do not overlap. Use tape to keep them in place.
It is always best to start against the longest wall in the room. Begin laying the planks along the wall, moving from right to left. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the amount of space to leave from the wall (you can use spacers to keep the gap straight the whole way along. Boards should be tapped into place using the tapping block and hammer. Make sure the boards are tight against each other, but do not use too much force on the hammer to avoid chipping the boards.
It is likely that you will have to cut the last board to fit. Measure the board, making sure to cut the end with the groove and not the tongue. You can keep the cut off to start the second row of boards. Continue fitting until you reach the last row. You might need to cut the final boards along the length to fit them in place. Once the last row is in, you can replace the trims, which will provide a beautiful finish and hide where the boards have been cut.
