How to Install Wood Flooring

If you are a daring do it yourself expert you will probably think it's a no-brainer to install wood flooring in your home. In actuality, there are many challenges. Some people waste so much wood that they come up short and must search high and low to complete the project. However, because the cost of installing wood flooring can reach into the thousands, you will save a lot of money if you can manage to do the job yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood flooring and underlayment
• Moldings
• Flatbed truck
• Electric saws
• Measuring tape
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Hair covering
• Extra helper

1. Do research online about the various types of wood flooring available. You will choose between wood laminate flooring (which is cheaper) and real wood planks (which are much more expensive). Decide on the color you want your wood flooring to be--it usually ranges from very light honey browns to deep, rich, dark chocolates.

2. Measure the square footage of the area where you want to lay down the hardwood flooring.

3. Visit your local Home Depot or hardware store with a flatbed truck. Grab a flatbed cart and an associate to help you load packages of hardwood flooring onto the cart. Always buy at least five more boxes than you think you need because if the store runs out of that color you are out of luck.

4. Rent or buy a reliable electric saw and buy moldings that will go with your décor as well.

5. Sweep and clear furniture from the area where you will be installing wood flooring. Put on a strong pair of work gloves, some goggles and something to cover your hair to protect yourself from flying wood chippings.

6. Unload your truck and begin putting down the underlayment. Most do it yourself wood flooring products have polyethylene foam underlayment. This material will help your floor absorb the sound and pressure of people walking over it on a daily basis.

7. Decide in which direction you want the wood flooring to go--horizontal or vertical.

8. Double check the measurements of your floor to estimate how many planks will make up the length of the room.

9. Add planks per the specific instructions listed for the wood flooring product you chose. Many wood flooring pieces have interlocking pieces.

10. Cut planks as needed, using your electric saw to make them fit. Carve planks using a jigsaw to fit around rounded corners. If possible, assign another skilled person to take care of the cutting as this will keep the job moving along nicely.

11. When planks are assembled, nail in your moldings to hide gaps near the wall and polish the look of the floor.

12. Clean up and return any excess boxes of wood flooring to your hardware store.

Tips & Warnings

• Get someone to help. Putting in wood flooring is not as easy as it looks and definitely not a one-man job. Rent a truck for at least 24-48 hours. Buy more boxes of flooring than you think you need. Measure time and time again; if your measurement is off you can waste precious wood planks unnecessarily.
• Don't cut wood flooring without goggles. Don't cut wood flooring when you have consumed a large amount of alcohol.