Adding hardwood floors to any home is a dramatic and exciting upgrade that will add value. But there are a lot of steps involved with laying wood flooring, including removal of any existing materials such as carpet or linoleum, cleaning and preparation of the subfloor, installation and finishing. The whole process creates a lot of dust and noise, so it’s important to take precautions with your health and that of your family. If your home is in a residential neighborhood, it’s likely the neighbors will be disturbed by the loud hammering and power tools used during the work. There is also a lot of sanding, which produces significant dust and can be harmful to your health. This is why it’s best to hire a professional, who will use advanced dustless sanding systems to reduce the amount of dust produced.

The first step in installing a new wood floor installation process is to remove any old materials and clean the surface of the subfloor, which needs to be free of dirt, oil, wax and debris. It is also recommended that you lay a vapor barrier underlayment, which helps to reduce the risk of moisture damage to the wood flooring and your home. This can be purchased in rolls from a lumber yard or from some large box stores.

Once the room has been cleaned, you can start by determining what type of install method is best for your flooring. Solid wood floors can be nailed down, stapled or glued to the subfloor. It’s also possible to use a click-lock, or floating, installation for engineered wood floors, which requires no nails or glue.

If you choose the nail down or staple down install method, it is important to let your wood acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the room where it will be installed for 3-5 days. This is because the wood can expand or contract if it is installed too quickly. Failure to acclimate the floor boards can cause gaps between them after installation is complete.

Nail down installations are typically done on a wood subfloor, but can be installed over concrete if the proper underlayment is used. It is important to check that the subfloor can support the weight of the hardwood and the thickness of your choice. A good option is to build up a wooden platform over the concrete, which will help prevent movement of the hardwood and will allow for proper expansion of the material.

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for spacing between the planks, and to stagger the joints. Aim for a consistent look and, if possible, to keep the end joints on each row at least 6 inches apart. For a finished look, face-nail the last two rows, and be sure to countersink the nails. Replace any baseboards or shoe molding after the wood floors are completed. This will save time and money, and make the room look complete.