The selection process of Hardwood floors can be a bit overwhelming for anyone. The first step in the selection process for your home is knowing the facts. This starts with the very space (room) you intend to install the hardwood flooring in.
Room Location is Very Important
When planning to install wood flooring in spaces like bathrooms or basements, special considerations need to be taken into account. In most cases, choosing an engineered wood floor is a safer option, as it is more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity compared to solid wood. Species like White Oak or Teak are ideal for these environments due to their natural durability and moisture resistance.
For spaces like living rooms, where sunlight is abundant, it’s important to remember that some woods can change color dramatically when exposed to prolonged sunlight. If you select a particular wood floor for its color, you might be disappointed by how it looks over time as it darkens or lightens with UV exposure. Be sure to ask about the wood’s UV stability or consider adding window treatments to protect the floor from excessive sunlight.
Radiant heating is another factor to consider. While some woods do fine when installed over radiant heating systems, others may not. As a general rule, no wood floor should ever be installed over a radiant heating system if the maximum temperature exceeds 85°F. Always check with your flooring expert to ensure the wood you select is compatible with radiant heating to avoid any damage or expansion issues in the future.
Understanding Your Subfloor
Before installing wood flooring, ensuring that the subfloor is in optimal condition is crucial. The subfloor can be made of wood or concrete, and each type requires different preparation.
1. Concrete Subfloors
- Curing Time: If your subfloor is concrete and you are in a new home, it’s essential to allow the concrete slab to cure for at least 6 to 12 weeks before installing wood flooring. Freshly poured concrete can retain moisture, which can be harmful to wood floors.
- Moisture Testing: Concrete is porous, and moisture can seep through it, causing damage to the wood. Using a moisture meter will help determine whether the concrete is dry enough for wood flooring. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for moisture levels.
- Moisture Barrier: Even if the moisture content is low, it’s advisable to use an underlayment with a moisture barrier when installing floating wood floors on concrete. This extra protection helps prevent potential issues like warping or mold growth over time.
2. Wood Subfloors
- Concrete Underneath: In many cases, wood subfloors are installed over concrete slabs, particularly on the ground floor. Therefore, performing a moisture test is still necessary to ensure that the wood subfloor is suitable for wood flooring installation.
- Squeaks and Weak Spots: Squeaks or weak spots on a wood subfloor should be addressed before installation. You can test for squeaks by walking on the floor and applying pressure. If you hear any noise, it might indicate that some parts of the subfloor are loose or uneven.
- Repairs: To address squeaks, you can nail down corners or tighten screws. For mushy spots, the affected wood may need to be replaced. Additionally, any areas where protruding staples, nails, or screws are found should be fixed. Lastly, ensure that all corners are level and any gaps in the subfloor are filled to ensure a stable surface for your wood flooring.
3. General Tips
- Always inspect the subfloor for any damage, or protruding nails, and ensure that it is level. A level subfloor is essential for a proper installation that will avoid future issues like squeaking or unevenness in the flooring.
Taking these preparatory steps will help ensure that your wood flooring is installed on a solid, stable, and suitable surface, leading to a longer-lasting and more successful installation.
Determine Which Way to Run Your Hardwood Flooring
When deciding on the direction to lay hardwood flooring, several key factors come into play to ensure the most visually appealing and structurally sound installation. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, here are the key points to consider when determining the board’s direction:
1. Orientation of Floor Joists:
- Perpendicular to Joists: A general rule of thumb is to lay the floorboards perpendicular to the direction of the floor joists. The joists provide the structural support for the flooring, and laying the boards across them helps prevent the flooring from sagging and ensures proper stability.
- How to Determine Joist Direction: You can determine the direction of the floor joists by:
- Looking up from the basement (if accessible).
- Using a stud finder to detect joist positions.
- Consulting the architectural plans of your home if available.
2. Room Dimensions and Flow:
- Longer Rooms: In rectangular spaces, installing the boards in the direction of the longest wall can help visually elongate the room. This tends to create a sense of continuity and flow, making the space feel more spacious and uniform.
- Square or Boxy Rooms: For rooms with a more square or boxy shape, laying the boards on the diagonal can create visual interest. Diagonal installations help to break up the rigid lines and introduce a more dynamic feel to the room.
3. Entrance and Traffic Patterns:
- Main Entrance Considerations: If the room has a prominent entry point, consider running the boards perpendicular to the threshold of the door. This ensures that the floorboards run in the same direction as the natural foot traffic entering and exiting the space. This can help maintain continuity and a welcoming atmosphere in the room.
- Foot Traffic Flow: If you expect a lot of movement through the room, you may also want to think about how the orientation of the boards can affect the ease of walking and the visual experience as people move through the space.
4. Architectural Style and Aesthetic Feel:
- Creating a Sense of Space: In large or expansive rooms, laying the boards parallel to the longest wall often feels natural and makes the space appear more streamlined.
- Diagonal Layout for Added Drama: In more formal or “boxy” rooms, a diagonal layout can introduce a sense of flair and movement. It adds contrast, directs the eye across the room, and can even make a small space feel larger.
- Visual Balance: Some architectural styles, especially traditional ones, might benefit from a more classical orientation of the boards. In contrast, more contemporary designs might embrace creative patterns or angles.
5. Practical Considerations:
- Subfloor Condition: Ensure the subfloor is in good condition and flat to support the orientation of the boards. Uneven or sloped subfloors may require corrective measures.
- Installation Method: If you are installing floating floors, remember that the direction you choose will impact how the pieces lock together. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines.
By considering these factors—joist direction, room shape and size, entrance location, and the overall architectural aesthetic—you can make an informed decision about which way to run your hardwood flooring. The right orientation will enhance the natural flow of the space, improve durability, and elevate the overall design.
Understanding Your Space Helps You Understand Your Budget
In our first article (Why Choose Hardwood Flooring?) we spoke about budgets and prices. Here is a small excerpt from that article:
“Installing hardwood flooring in your home comes with a price, but you should not let the price alone determine your choice of which flooring to install. The price should be a factor because you have a short-term budget to consider. But quality flooring is a long-term investment, adding value to your property as a whole which often justifies the short-term expense. When Hardwood flooring is installed properly and in the right environment, you will save the cost of replacing flooring in the future of inferior quality.”
It’s important not to let your budget get out of control. But when considering such an important investment in your home make sure you adequately budget for your space so you don’t compromise the investments you’re making in your property.
At Unique Wood Floors, we understand how important this decision is for your family and your home’s overall value. Feel free to give us a call or email anytime at 952-994-9696. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the space you are considering installing your wood floors.