Hardwood Floor Installation - Increase the Value of Your Home
No other flooring is as prized and attractive as hardwood, and no other flooring will increase your home's value as much either.
If you want to tear out your carpet or get rid of the vinyl flooring in your home, then it's probably time to check into getting a hardwood floor installation.
Why Wood? With all the types of carpeting, linoleum and fake wood flooring on the market, you may find yourself wondering what's so great about an authentic wood floor.
Aside from the fact that it will add on to the actual value of your home, it also offers health and durability benefits.
A quality hardwood floor installation will last for decades on end with minimal maintenance required which is not something that carpeting or laminate floors can live up to.
A wood floor can stand up to just about anything life can throw at it from high traffic to spills and more.
It's also a health conscious alternative for people with allergies.
While carpet traps dust, dander and other allergens in it's threads, wood floors don't provide the same hiding spaces for the nasty micro organisms that irritate your eyes, throat and nose.
Things to Consider Before fully committing to a hardwood floor installation it's important to think about the costs, time and installation process.
Since wood is so durable and long lasting, it is generally more expensive than other methods and can also be more complicated to install.
The best thing to do, is to have it installed professionally, but if you would prefer to do it yourself you should research the best installation methods.
Self installs are not impossible, but they can be difficult if you are unsure of what you are doing.
Reading up on installation techniques will help you make a well informed decision about whether or not you can do your own hardwood floor installation.
Tips for Installation The first thing you should do when installing a wood floor, on your own or professionally, is to stack the wood in your home and allow it to acclimate to the level of humidity that your home has.
This will allow to stretch or shrink before installation and prevent your flooring from being filled with gaps.
You should also layout several rows of wood before actually installing them and make sure that the end of the boards in adjacent rows are staggered.
Doing this means that you will be able to cut and measure the wood ahead of time instead of having to stop frequently during the installation process.
If you want to increase the value of your home, make it look better and get rid of the health risks associated with other types of flooring then wood floors may be the answer to your prayers.
If you take the time to read up on installation techniques and different options for flooring you will be sure to love your hardwood floor installation when it's complete.