How to Install Hardwood Floors

Installing a hardwood floor can have a huge impact on your house: it can transform a room and increase the value of the building. Timeless and durable, hardwood floors are also popular because they are known for their warmth and beauty.

It is recommended that you hire a professional for this type of renovation project. However, if you feel that you have the required manual skills, completing the installation process is quite accessible.

How to install a hardwood floor: preparation and humidity

Source: Canva

Installing a hardwood floor requires a certain amount of preparation, as well as a lot of patience. The humidity level of the room will affect the success of the installation process. If the room is too humid, the wood will tend to expand, which will cause swelling.

On the other hand, if the humidity is too low, the volume of the wood will decrease. Therefore, before you install the new floor, check the room’s humidity level. It is also recommended that you remove the wood from its packaging to let it become acclimatized with the room’s atmosphere for around 72h.

When you install the floorboards, each one should be perpendicular to the windows, to dissimulate the joints. They should also be perpendicular to the door’s threshold to ensure a harmonious transition between rooms.

Before you start installing the floor, there are a few other things to do: if needed, remove the old floorboards, use a lever and spread construction paper on the false floor. This construction paper will act as a vapour barrier and will make things easier for you when you start installing the new floor.

Are you thinking about opting for a hickory hardwood floor? Take a look at our article Hickory hardwood floors: installation and maintenance tips.

Steps to follow when installing a hardwood floor

Source: Canva

Tracing the main line

Start by tracing a line, using chalk or a piece of string. You need to trace this line to make sure that your floor is straight. If the first row isn’t straight, the rest of your floor will be affected.

Installing the first floorboards on the main line

To complete this step, you have to choose boards that are both straight and long to make up your first row. Install the board’s tenon on the main line.

Pierce 

Pierce the holes, which will serve as guides, at ½ inch (12 mm) on one side of the board and repeat this process every 8 inches (232 mm). Once you have reached 2 inches (50 mm) from the board’s extremity, you can stop piercing holes. Plan a minimum of at least two holes per board.

Finishing the first row

To complete the installation of the first row, you must fasten the boards that are used in your first row. To do so, use 2 inches (50mm) finishing nails and a nail punch. Don’t forget to hide the nails using wood putty. You should also insert spacers between the boards in the first row and the wall, to leave extra space if the wood starts dilating when the weather is hot and humid. Your baseboards will hide this extra space. 

Pierce at a 45-degree angle

Pierce a hole in the tenon, at a 45-degree angle. This hole will serve as a guide. Repeat this process every 8 inches (200mm) using nails. You must ensure that the head of the nail doesn’t push out.

Install the other rows

To install and nail your rows, use a nailing gun and a mallet. Nail the boards every 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) and every 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) at the end of each board. If the board is 5 to 8 inches long, you will have to nail it in at least two spots.

Organize the floorboards

It is extremely important to make sure that the floorboards are not perfectly aligned. With this in mind, you can alternate between shorter boards and longer boards when assembling the floor.

The last step

The final step of the hardwood floor installation process is the floor finish. This includes mouldings, baseboards and quarter rounds.

If you want to know more about renovating your house with the intent of selling it, check out our article Renovation projects that will increase the value of your house.

Would you like to know about the hardwood floor and how to take good care of it? Read these articles:

•  How to Strip and Wax a Floor: Step by Step

•  How to Strip a Hardwood Floor