By far the easiest way to deal with Wood Flooring Installation in Manhattan is to simply hire a professional who knows exactly what he or she is doing to ensure the floor is installed correctly. Those homeowners who have some experience installing flooring often make the decision to attempt DIY installations, though. This article is intended to offer them a few tips that could help to facilitate this process.
Acclimate the Flooring
It’s a good idea to acclimate the wood to the room’s relative humidity levels by leaving it in the room where it will be installed for some time before beginning the installation process. Failing to do so can lead to either shrinkage or swelling later. It’s essential that the planks being installed have close to the same moisture content as the subfloor, so it’s smart to purchase a hygrometer to monitor relative humidity levels.
Ensure Complete Removal of Old Flooring
Wood Flooring Installation in Manhattan actually begins with the removal of the old flooring material. The process for accomplishing this is different depending on the prior flooring type, so it’s difficult to make generalizations about how this can be accomplished. However, it is important to ensure the subfloor is both perfectly flat and well-protected from future damage, which often requires the use of 15 lb black felt paper to reduce moisture transfer.
Work in from the Edges
The outside walls of a home tend to be its straightest, so it’s a good idea to begin the installation from the longest outside wall. The longest and straightest boards should be used for the first several rows, and boards should be intermixed throughout the process of working toward the center of the room to maintain a good color blend.
Know When to Call a Pro
As noted above, the easiest way to ensure a professional-quality installation is to hire a professional such as those employed by New York Wood Flooring. Homeowners who insist on giving it a go themselves should try to be objective about the progress they are making and not hesitate to call in some help if they feel they are not making adequate progress. Follow us on Twitter.
