Tips For Avoiding Pitfalls During Hardwood Flooring Installation

Many homeowners consider hardwood flooring installation as a daunting task. It is also true that not all DIYers are up to the challenge. A stunning hardwood floor is the consequence of careful planning and a few crucial know-how. The information provided below is not meant to serve as a guide for the installation of hardwood flooring but how to stay away from the common pitfalls. If you are among the brave souls who plan to undertake this project, here are five tips to help ensure your success.

Inspect Your Subfloor

In case your subfloor is in a bad state, putting down hardwoods will not help. You have to have a level subfloor, and any alterations in the height must be no more than 3/6” over a 6’ span. There are a few different methods to level out your subfloor. The simplest case happens when OSB or plywood is not anchored down extremely well and the addition of a handful of screws will address the problem. More serious measures include planing the joints or perhaps the installation of another layer of plywood with the right filler to accomplish uniformity.

Acclimate The Wood

Increased moisture makes the wood expand while less moisture lets it contract. This is referred to as wood movement. It is crucial for hardwoods to acclimate in the area where they will be installed. Wood that’s not fully acclimated will lead to gaps during the winter and may even cause cupping during the summer season. To prevent this from happening, open and distribute the boxes for a week and make sure that you run the air conditioning unit or heating system at normal levels. Do not store the hardwoods in an unfinished environment or any similar setting that is rich in moisture.
Even after the appropriate acclimation, the wood will contract and expand as moisture levels alter. That is why it is a must to leave around ¼” gap around the perimeter of the area where you will be installing the hardwood floors. Don’t worry because this will be covered with a baseboard and molding. In case moisture is the primary problem in your area, you need to think about installing engineered wood since they do not usually require acclimation.

The first Row Needs To Be Straight

According to NMB Flooring Pros, it is extremely important for the first row of hardwoods to be straight upon installation since each row after will be placed relative to it. If the first row is crooked, it will lead to huge curves once you move on through the area. Exterior walls are usually not square so think about marking the locations of your joists and set up the hardwoods perpendicular. Be sure that you drive a fastener into the joist at every opportunity. Think about what hindrances are present and how varying starting points can make your job much easier.

Top Nail, Glue The Boards

You will come across situations wherein the flooring nailer won’t fit such as when you are laying the final board. You need to face nail or top nail these boards. Get your wood glue and add in a bead into the groove of the last board. Use a pry bar and a scrap wood to wedge these boards securely in their proper place. Don’t forget to hold the finish nailer with enough force so it won’t jump around and mar the board’s surface.

Rent or Buy The Correct Tools

Don’t fool yourself that you can create rip cuts using a jigsaw or that you do not really require a pneumatic flooring nailer. Having the correct North Myrtle Beach hardwood flooring installation tools is going to make your job a lot easier and the completed product look much better.

All these are unique challenges in every hardwood flooring installation project. Hopefully, the above tips can help you in addressing some of them. With the right planning, preparation, and a great start, you will be rolling along in a short period of time.

Call NMB Flooring Pros if you need in installing your hardwood floors.

NMB Flooring Pros
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-353-2997
http://nmbflooringpros.com

What You Need To Know Before Choosing A Hardwood Floor

Hardwood flooring is a favorite choice among homeowners. This type of floor is available in different colors, styles, species, and cuts. Whether the flooring is engineered or solid, hardwood flooring can be a wonderful addition to a home’s visual aesthetics. But before you make your final choice, there are several things you have to know and questions you need to ask.
Benefits of Hardwood Flooring 

There many benefits of hardwood flooring installation compared to other available options like vinyl or carpet. The easy installation and low maintenance requirement are only a few. This type of floor does not build up a lot of dust, dirt, or debris. Mopping and vacuuming every week is enough to maintain its cleanliness. Top quality hardwood floors are likewise extremely strong. Compared to vinyl, hardwood floors are durable and can last for many years if finished to certain standards. Because of this, hardwood floors are considered as an excellent long-term investment that can also increase the overall value of your property.

Engineering

There are many factors to consider before deciding on the best type of North Myrtle Beach hardwood flooring for your home. The first thing you need to ask yourself is if you prefer an engineered or solid wood floor. The latter is solid all the way and can be used anywhere, can be sanded as well as refinished several times. They are perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. Meanwhile, engineered wood floors are created using different layers of veneers, either of different or the same species. This laying creates stable flooring. It expands and contracts less with changes in humidity and temperature.

Species, Uses, and Finish

You can choose from light woods, medium woods, and dark woods. Once you have decided on the look, the next thing you should know about is how the room is being used, and then factor in the durability of your selected wood. For instance, for a family with kids, it might be better to choose a wood type that is more hard wearing compared to the flooring type that a retired couple requires.
In terms of its finish, you have to decide whether you want a factory finished or site finished flooring. As its name suggests, a site finished flooring means the finish is applied during the installation at the site. This gives the homeowner the freehand to choose the sheen and stain of the final flooring. However, this will cause a lot of noise and dust during the installation process but you are guaranteed to have lots of customization options. Meanwhile, a factory finished floor cuts down on the inconveniences during installation but your customization options will be limited as well.
Finally, you have to consider the hardwood flooring maintenance. Once your floor has been installed, you need to keep in looking nice and clean all the time. If you have pets, you need to clip their nails and place rugs to cut back on the amount of grit and dirt brought inside your home. You also have to clean your floor on a regular basis through sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping.

For expert assistance regarding hardwood flooring, call NMB Roofing Pros now.

NMB Flooring Pros
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-353-2997
http://nmbflooring pros.com

Factors To Consider Before Refinishing Old Hardwood Floors

Renewing your hardwood flooring may be easier and cheaper that you initially thought. That is because you may not have to deal with sanding and staining your old hardwood floor just to unlock its beauty, especially if it is not damaged. To determine the best solution that will work best for your home, provided below are some important things you have to consider before staring your hardwood flooring refinishing project.

Is It Dull As Dirt?

We all know that dust and dirt can make any type of floor look dingy. However, you might be surprised to find out that when tracked, both can cause superficial scratches that can dull the floor’s surface. The good thing is restoring floors that are dirty and have lost their sheet can be relatively simple.

Deep Cleaning

Giving your floor a good deep cleaning might resort its former luster. You can start by sweeping the floors using a soft bristle broom. Don’t forget that stiff bristles can cause wood scratches on your floor’s surface. The next thing you have to do is vacuum your hardwood floor to get rid of hard to reach dirt in corners as well as floorboards. Then, mop using concentrated cleaner and a micro cloth. Never use vinegar, steam, water, and certain cleaners that produces suds to clean your hardwood floors. Hardwood floors in areas in your home that receive high foot traffic might need a deep cleaning by a flooring professional. They usually use scrubbing machine that is made specifically to get rid of embedded dirt in hardwood floors.

Once this is done, you can keep your floors in good condition by cleaning the surface at least three times per week using a micro cloth or a vacuum. Deep clean the floor at least once a month and have it professionally deep cleaned at least once a year.

DIY a New Finish Without Sanding

In case deep cleaning did not restore your wood floor’s original glow, you can give it a brand new fresh look without the need to sand or stain. You can find kits that include a semi glossy polyurethane finish without altering the color of your floor. It will take 24 hours to dry and about one or two weeks to cure. Please note that this stuff does not work well with waxed wood floors. You will also find products that can restore your wood floor’s existing polyurethane finish. It provides a high gloss sheen that can last for six months. Lastly, you can also find products that is designed to restore previously seals old hardwood woods. They are available in both glossy and satin finishes. Of course, another option is to hire an expert from NMB Flooring Pros.

If Refinishing Is The Best Option

Unfortunately, there are times when hardwood floors that need more than just quick fixes. Grimy, dry floors with wide gaps and deep scratches require North Myrtle Beach hardwood flooring refinishing. This task is labor intensive and involves a lengthy process. If you are planning to DIY, you need to be knowledgeable about every step from sanding to staining.

If you want your hardwood floors to look great, you can find local flooring contractors like NMB Flooring Pros. Call us now if you want to know more.

NMB Flooring Pros
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-353-2997
http://nmbflooringpros.com