There are a few things you can do to prepare before installing hardwood flooring. First, make sure the wood is wide enough so that it is not necessary to cut it. The last thing you want to do is buy material and then have to return half of it because someone forgot they couldn’t use the full piece. Next, measure where your room will be divided by walls or other features and calculate how much material you need for each space. To install hardwood floors properly, stagger the seams between different boards (not directly in line). Finally, make sure there will be an access point for lifting furniture back into place after installation is done! It’s better for everyone if this area can’t be cut off when installed at all.
This article is based on the assumption that you are going to need assistance from someone else to install the floor. This is especially true if you have only a single carpenter handy. The good news for you is that it can be done by one person over the course of multiple days. It might take more time, but it will certainly be less stressful than doing it all myself, so consider this option before spending a lot of money and having to call out someone else after the fact.
After the furniture has been moved, there is still some prep work left, but we will cover that in another article.
First, remember that your flooring material should be at least 1/8 inch or 3mm thick. You may want to pick out a color before actually buying the flooring material and planning your hardwood installation, but the main thing you need to pay attention to is thickness. Thinner boards will tend to chip and be damaged more easily than thicker ones, so try to avoid anything below that level.
If possible, you should also try to get really wide lengths of flooring. If you can’t find exactly what you want in one piece, then have 2 or 4 pieces that are as close as possible. This will make your installation easier for a few reasons. First, it’s easier to manage long pieces without having a lot of waste or having them split into airport runways or other transport processes. It will also look better when you stagger the seams between the different areas of flooring. Lastly, it’s always a good idea to stagger the seams between different colors or patterns. This makes it clear that all of your boards are from the same stock and will make for a more uniform, finished look overall.
It’s important to seal your flooring at least once before you go ahead and install it, especially if you are using a stain-blocking product. Not only does this protect each board from future stains, but it reduces any new defects that may occur as a result of installation.
