First, get into a preparation. Preparing your flooring prior to the actual installation is very important. The sub-floor should be kept dry, flat and smooth. Use an underlay or a barrier over the concrete. Follow instructions very carefully when involving radiant heating. This can be quite risky so make sure that you follow every single radiant heating instruction as you go along. Be sure to leave flooring panels in the room at least 48 hours before the installation. Enough time should be allotted for the flooring to acclimatize to the temperature of the environment.

Second, the first row of flooring should be made up of full-size planks. The second row should have two-third sized planks and the third row should be made up of one-third sized planks. The plank joints should always be bigger than 8 inches. Note as well that patterns of the wood grain should be repeated on a 20-plank interval.

Third, the incoming natural light should be considered before deciding on the direction of your laminate floors. All planks should be positioned parallel to the incoming light. Note as well that the longest wall in the room should be your starting area for the floor installation.

Fourth, buy more than enough supplies. There is a big chance that you’ll run out of planks along the process. In most cases, 10% of the flooring would go to waste. Some planks get damaged when cut while others may have  already been damaged during the delivery. Accept the fact that some pieces may not be usable and so you might as well stock as many supplies as you can.

Fifth, remember that a 10mm gap between planks should be spared. The gap referred to as the “expansion gap” gives space for the wood to expand during temperature and humidity changes.

Sixth, the most important line that you lay is the first line. It’s not only the longest line, it should also be totally straight. If in case you do not get the first line straight, the best option would be to start over again. As we all know, poor alignment such as accumulation of residues in between the grooves of the planks can result to a few problems in the future.

Seventh, nail moulding and wood glue should be used when installing laminate floors on the stairs.

Remember these tips in mind before and during wood flooring installation. This ensures you the  best floor installation possible.

Typically there are two types of wood flooring. One is the solid wood where the wood slabs are ¾ inch thick. The second type is engineered wood which has layers of hardwood veneer and it ranges in thickness from 3/8 of an inch to 9/16 of inch thick.

Aside from the beauty that wood flooring brings, it is also easy to maintain thanks to the new technology in stains and finishes. Thus, cleaning wood floors is limited to sweeping or vacuuming and occasional use of a wood cleaning product. The wood cleaning product should be recommended by your flooring manufacturer to ensure proper care of your floor, as there are many types of wood and finish.

Wood flooring is also ecologically friendly because some of the wood used in flooring is recycled from old wood ships, warehouses and other wooden structures. It also has its health benefits because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, perfect for children and adults who are prone to allergies. Plus, we have to keep in mind that wood source is a natural resource and likewise is renewable and recyclable.

Wooden floors are competitively priced. They also represent an excellent value compared to other flooring options because wooden floors need not be replaced even when you decide to sell your home, your hardwood floor could increase its value. Therefore, when compared to other floorings, hardwood floors provide lasting value.

For the artists in us, we can choose from an array of choices on styles, colors and species of woods to suit our needs. Whatever your passion, rest assured your room will look fantastic in wood flooring.

When you enter a room, the first thing you see is the floor and upwards. It is essential to make a lasting impression and to get this right, wood flooring is the best choice. Wood flooring’s timeless elegance, flexibility, durability and easy maintenance is a sure winner. Plus, the fact that your house’s value also increases with the type of wood floor you have.