The great thing about hardwood flooring is that it never goes out of style. Carpet colors and styles come and go, but wood floors always look great, provided that they are well maintained. Of course, some people prefer carpet and it does have its advantages. It typically keeps the house well insulated and it can dampen sound like nothing else. Still, if you are sick of carpet and would like the classical look of hardwood flooring, here is how you can change over.
The first thing you want to do is determine how much of your house you want to replace with hardwood flooring. Some people like to put in everywhere, while others just like to put it in the main living areas and the front foyer, leaving carpet in the halls and the bedrooms. Decide what you want to do and then measure carefully the square footage you’ll be working with. You’ll need these measurements later when it comes time to purchase your supplies.
Next, you’ll need to figure out the thickness of the wood you’ll require. The standard when it comes to installation is of an inch. However, if there is already a plywood subfloor installed beneath the carpet, this could present a problem. Putting in a floor of standard thickness could cause it to rise too high, making trouble for your doors and even the trim around your walls. If this is the case, you’ll want to go with a thinner product.
Finally, it’s time to decide what type of material you want to go with. Hardwood flooring can come either unfinished or prefinished. If you go for prefinished product, it will already be coated with polyurethane and will be ready to go. If you go for unfinished, the wood will have to be treated after you’ve installed the product. You can get unfinished wood for much cheaper, but the process of treating the wood after installation can be a big hassle, especially if you’re living in the home.
If you will be installing the floor yourself, you can proceed to purchase the materials. If you have little experience with installation, talk to the people at the store where you are purchasing the wood. They may have some helpful material for you to look at and some advice. If you will be hiring an installer, you can usually purchase the materials through them. Whichever route you choose, you’re sure to enjoy your new hardwood flooring for years to come.
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