Installing New Floors? Here’s What NOT To Do!

If you want to improve the look and feel of your home, consider having a new floor installed. A new floor can make your home feel warmer and more welcoming, increasing its aesthetic appeal and home value.

If you plan to do the installation yourself, you need to be very careful when installing a floor. One mistake and all your hard work might go down the drain. This is why most homeowners opt for hiring the best flooring company near you, Rugworks!

Here are some things you should not do when installing a new floor yourself.

Installing the Floor on the Same Day It’s Purchased

Do not install flooring in Santa Rosa the same day you bring it home. Your floor needs time to acclimate to your home environment. Allowing your floors to acclimate to your home environment before installing them will decrease the chances of warping. To avoid issues caused by dryness and humidity, make sure the relative humidity in your home is relatively stable between 40 to 60 percent.  Every product has a recommended acclimation period. It is essential to follow the instructions for acclimation by the manufacturer. Hardwood should not be installed until the moisture content in the wood floor is within 4-5% of the wood subfloor as read by a moisture meter.

Failing to Glue

Most flooring contractors recommend gluing the first three or four rows. When the floor is sanded, there is a lot of movement in the last couple of rows. To prevent the problem, glue your starting and ending rows.

Forgetting About the Subfloors 

The subfloor provides the foundation for your floor’s finish. If you fail to prepare your subfloor, you may end up with creaking floorboards or other issues with your new floor

Prepping your subfloor is a great way to ensure your new floors have a stable, level surface to lay on. To prepare your subfloor, remove the old baseboard. Check the condition of the moisture barrier and decide if it needs to be replaced.  Level any humps or dips in the subfloor either by sanding or filling them with a Portland-based leveling compound. The instructions from the floor’s manufacturer will tell you how to level the floor needs to be for their floor. Clean the area thoroughly.

Failing to Plan the Installation

Laying down floors is time-consuming and requires patience. If you do not have an installation plan, you are highly likely to make a mistake. Reputable flooring companies always craft well-organized installation plans that make installation a breeze.

Decide the direction in which planks will be installed. Layout the floor so that you do not end up with a small sliver at the opposing wall.  “Rack” out the wood by laying the boards a few rows at a time without attaching them to make sure the floor’s character is well blended and any characteristic you are not fond of are in areas that are less visible.  An effective installation plan will help ensure a natural and professional finish.

Neglecting Room Shape

If you neglect the room’s shape or do not know it in the first place and fail to account for it, problems may arise when laying down new floors. An asymmetric layout can lead to issues. Make sure you have accurate measurements before starting to install your floors. Rugworks is a renowned flooring company in Sonoma. We are committed to helping homeowners make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right flooring for their homes. To make an appointment, call (707) 935-0648.