What Are the Best Tips for Installing DIY Wooden Flooring?

The most important tip for installing DIY wooden flooring is preparing the space and choosing the best materials before the project begins. First and foremost, the room in which the DIY wooden flooring will be installed will need to be cleared of all furniture and other furnishings. The baseboards or runners may also need to be removed. Before doing this, however, it is important to choose the best materials for a particular space. Hardwood flooring can be difficult to install, but some kits are available to make the process easier. Choose the correct materials and best installation procedures before beginning.

Remember that the type of subfloor present in the home will have an impact on what DIY wooden flooring can be installed. Plywood subfloors are good for installation, and concrete can also be used as a subfloor beneath DIY wooden flooring as long as it is level and it is not below the level of the ground outside the home. If it is, moisture can seep in and damage the wooden flooring quickly. It is a good idea to install some sort of waterproof sheeting between the concrete or plywood and the hardwood flooring.

Assemble the proper tools before beginning the DIY wooden flooring project. The necessary tools can vary depending on the type of flooring being installed, so be sure to do some research to find out what tools will be necessary to buy or rent. A flooring nailer will be necessary when installing DIY wooden flooring, though a claw hammer and finishing nails can be used for much of the nailing process. Be sure to have wood putty on hand to fill in the holes over the finishing nails; you will also need a nailset to set the finishing nails beneath the level of the boards. Once the tools are assembled, remove any old flooring and sand away remnants so the subfloor is flat and level.

When cutting floorboards, it is best to use a table saw or miter saw. Crosscutting a board will require a circular saw; if possible, use a guide of some sort when cutting with a circular saw to ensure the cut is straight all the way across the length of the board. A carbide tip blade is best for such cutting. Make sure all cuts are straight; measure twice before making any cut to ensure the length or width has been measured properly.