Wooden floors are any item made of wood intended for application as interior or exterior flooring, either purely aesthetic or functional. Wood is a trendy choice as the main flooring material for many homes and can come in various natural colors, styles, cuts, and types. Unfortunately, wood can also be quite slow to install, requiring professional Wood Floor Installation San Antonio TX if you want your floors finished or installed quickly. Here are a few tips on installation that will help you make the most of your wooden floor.
Wood floors aren’t necessarily the best choice for installation, however. Many people make the mistake of thinking that wood floors can easily be “installed” and still look great. The truth is, you have to be more meticulous with wood flooring installation than you would with most other types of floors. There are numerous things to consider before deciding whether your floors are properly installed and if they should even be considered for installation in the first place.
One important factor in determining whether or not wood floors should be installed is the type of sub-flooring underneath. Certain types of sub-floors may actually require more care than others. Some examples include basements with water pipes, attics, crawlspaces, etc. If you’re dealing with an especially wet or moist environment, you may want to avoid installing wooden floors as the water could seep beneath the finish causing it to peel. A good recommendation is to either have the sub-floor resawered or to install waterproof finishes over the surface.
Another aspect of wood floor installation to consider is whether or not you should purchase unfinished or finished boards. Finishes are available in a variety of different types, so you’ll want to get boards that are designed to resist moisture and help prevent warping. Some finishes are also very resistant to bacteria and other allergens so you may want to inquire about these before choosing a particular brand or type of wood floor.
Once you’ve determined that your rooms will need a wooden floor installation, you’ll need to determine what type of sub-flooring you have available. This is especially important if your room is already built. If your room isn’t ready for wooden flooring yet, you can always build over existing floors until you’re confident that your sub-flooring will work. For example, if you have shaggy carpets in a child’s play room you can cover them with a felt paper floor and cover the top with a felt pad. This will help protect the floors against spilled liquids and other accidents.
Although there are some negatives to installing wooden floors, such as the fact that they are easy to stained or marked by toddlers, they do have many benefits. These include their strength, durability, and non-combustible nature. Plus, you will save money over time when you install your own hardwood flooring. Also, you won’t need to replace your wooden floors if they become scratched or stained; underfloor heating will fix any problems automatically.
One of the main disadvantages to installing wooden floors is the fact that they are easily damaged. Stains from juices or other liquids can leave floors patchy and stained. Also, high heels can scratch and dent traditional hardwood flooring causing more damage than good. Painted or laminated floorings are relatively safe from scratches but can still be marked by stains and scratches. Installing an underfloor heating system will stop most scratches, but can also add a small amount of cost to your installation.
When deciding whether or not to have your hardwood floor installed, you should also consider how easy it will be to maintain. Laminated or painted flooring may be easier to clean and repair small spots, but floor heaters can cause marked surfaces to appear even when the underneath surface is smooth and flawless. If you do choose to have your hardwood floor installed, it can be a lifelong investment. It can increase the value of your home, increase your comfort level, and appeal to your guests. If you take the time to properly care for your new floor, you will get many years of use out of it, and it will help you build equity in your home.