When it comes to the home interior, having wooden floors brings out the charm and comfort when stepping inside. It provides a stylish appearance while giving a nice feeling underfoot. It also adds value to your home.

Having wood flooring stands out as one of the most worthwhile investments for your home. However, it’s easy to botch if you aren’t paying attention. Fortunately, these blunders when conducting a hardwood floor installation are avoidable.

Today, we will look at these mistakes to avoid future problems. Time to take notes as we make sure your hardwood floor is at its best. Read on and find out more now:

1. Picking the Wrong Type of Wood

As you look through the types of flooring, pay attention to your desired hardwood. Each hardwood has a specific grain and color. They also have a specific hardness suitable for certain textures and climate situations.

Check if the wood suits your preferences and parameters. Hickory behaves differently compared to pine or cherry. The same applies to oak, maple, or walnut. 

The type of wood that you pick also comes with a certain stain or color. It’s their natural color, making them desirable for certain homes. Pick the flooring that works since painting on them is out of the question.

Aside from the wood type, check whether you prefer either solid hardwood or laminate. Each of these has notable quirks, so look up their pros and cons.

2. Getting the Exact Amount of Wood

Another mistake that could occur during hardwood floor installation is getting the wrong amount of wood flooring for the installation. Always have extra wood panels. They account for mistakes or adjustments that may occur.

With that said, having the exact amount of wood is a bad call. If a botch or a mistake occurs during the installation, you’ll end up with insufficient wood panels for the flooring.

The best approach is to always buy more than what’s necessary. It lets you prepare for anything during and after installation. You can have replacements when you end up with damaged floor panels. 

It also helps minimize floor installation costs. It lets you have the materials necessary in a single transaction.

3. Not Paying Attention to the Moisture

To ensure that the wood flooring works well, pay attention to moisture and humidity. These factors can affect the wood, causing various issues to occur. Remember this when working together with the floor installation service to avoid this problem.

Temperature and moisture can affect the wood’s state. During the winter, the wood contracts in response to the lower temperatures. It expands once the warmer seasons come to pass.

Consider these conditions since it helps you plan. It allows you to address issues regarding moisture, such as cupping or crowning.  Give the floorboards some breathing time and let the wood acclimate to the indoor climate.

4. Not Planning the Layout Properly

Sometimes, you must ponder about the layout of the wooden floorboards. One mistake is in making unintentional patterns. If anything, the goal for these floorboards is to look natural and random.

Another blunder is not paying attention to the leveling of the floors. A lapse in this aspect can leave you tripping by accident. It requires some attention, especially if you work on these projects on a DIY basis.

One fail-proof solution for this is to hire a floor installation service. They can help with laying out the panels and ensuring that you don’t screw up on placing the floorboards. 

5. Not Preparing the Subfloor

The subfloor is an important factor when setting up your hardwood flooring. You must have a dry and sturdy foundation for hardwood. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll end up with some problems with the floorboards.

One of these problems is squeaking and creaking. It also leaves the floorboards with gaps in between. It occurs due to the state of the wood or the way the nails hold the board to the subfloor. 

A wet subfloor can lead to structural damage and other expensive repairs. Make sure to clean the subfloor and keep it dry at all times. This can help you avoid other issues that may occur in the long run.

6. Careless Sanding

Sanding is an installation step that needs precision. You must have a deft hand that can handle the sander while maintaining constant movement. One wrong move and you’ll end up stripping the stain and the coating.

For a DIY approach, pay close attention to the sanding and the whole finishing process. It could get ugly if you make some lapses. When in doubt, it’s best to have professionals work on the finishing process as part of the installation.

7. Leaving the Floor Dirty

Before applying the stain and the lacquer for the finish, clean off the dust and dirt. Remove the debris off the floor surface in between sanding rounds. It would result in a smoother finish when done right.

After installation, observe the regular hardwood floor maintenance and keep it clean. It prolongs your wooden floor’s lifespan. Otherwise, the costly repairs and replacements can make a dent in your budget.

Get the Most from Your Hardwood Floor Installation

The process behind hardwood floor installation requires some attention to detail. You have to look at the type of wood and the dimensions of the area you plan to install it in. Once you have everything set, you will end up with a wonderful floor for your home.

However, you might not have the woodworking and DIY skills for it. In this case, it’s better to leave it to the professionals. They can do a better job while avoiding costly mistakes and accidents.

When it comes to hardwood flooring, we can help. We’ll choose the right flooring for your home and even set it up for you. Contact us today and we can help you with your home project.