Common mistakes in hardwood flooring and how to avoid them.
Hardwood flooring gives a premium and classy look to your home. People like it because of its durability and beauty. But even a small mistake in installation can make its maintenance very costly. Let us know the common mistakes in hardwood flooring installation and how to avoid them:
1. Choosing the wrong wood type
This is the first and most common mistake, select the flooring after looking at the design without thinking because wood should be selected according to the temperature of every place.
How to avoid:
As engineered wood is best for flooring in high moisture areas like kitchen or bathroom.
Solid hardwood is the perfect option for dry areas, so it is the best option for bedrooms or living rooms.
While selecting wood, keep the local weather in mind.
2. Not acclimatizing
Hardwood expands and contracts according to temperature and humidity. As it is a natural material, gaps or buckling can occur in the flooring if it is not acclimatized properly.
How to avoid:
The flooring to be installed in the room should be kept in that room for 3-5 days before installation and allowed to adjust to the room temperature.
3. Not inspecting the subfloor properly
Before installing wood flooring many people get the flooring installed without properly checking the subfloor in a hurry. This can reduce the life of the wood installed for flooring if the subfloor is uneven or moist.
How to avoid:
Install wood flooring only after having a dry, clean and perfectly level subfloor.
Do not forget to install a moisture barrier before installing wood flooring if there is a concrete subfloor.
And don't forget to take readings from the moisture meter
4. Forgetting to leave the expansion gap.
If you don't leave the expansion gap, this is a mistake that can damage your entire wooden floor because hardwood expands which can cause the floor to lift or even break.
How to avoid:
At least a 10mm expansion gap must be left near every wall. This gap is covered by skirting or beading.
5. Using the wrong adhesive or nail
Adhesives or fasteners should be used according to the wood and subfloor, otherwise the bonding will be weak if the wrong product is used.
How to Avoid:
Read the manufacturer's recommendations before using them.
Moisture-proof adhesive is used if wood is being installed over concrete.
Use the correct gauge nails or staples if you are installing wooden flooring over a plywood subfloor.
6. Skip applying underlayment
Many people make the mistake of ignoring underlayment, thinking it is optional, whereas underlayment provides cushioning, moisture and moisture protection.
How to Avoid:
Applying a moisture barrier or foam underlay is especially important for floating floors. Choose underlayment according to flooring type.
7. Making mistakes in floor cleaning
Hardwood flooring gets damaged by excess water, rough mops and harsh chemicals, so avoid using all of these.
How to avoid:
Use a microfiber mop or damp cloth to clean the hardwood floor. Use a PH-balanced wood specific cleaner.
8. Ignoring regular maintenance
Scratches, dullness and stains start appearing if proper care is not taken which ruins its premium look and the flooring also starts deteriorating. Do not make the mistake of considering hardwood flooring as low maintenance.
How to avoid:
To avoid stains, clean up spills immediately after they occur and also get the floor polished and recoat done every year or two.
9. Not protecting from direct sunlight
The beauty of hard flooring will be lost and its colour may fade if exposed to direct sunlight.
How to avoid:
Using UV-resistant polish, curtains, curtains or UV-protected glass windows can protect hardwood flooring from direct sunlight.
10. DIY without experience
Many people think of doing flooring themselves after watching videos of installations on social media, so if you do not have the tools or skills, then both time and money can be wasted.
How to avoid:
Take full care of the right tools, correct measurements and detailed planning if you are thinking of doing DIY or else hire a professional installer and get the flooring done easily.
Tips
According to the season, indoor humidity can be kept under control by using a humidifier or dehumidifier, which will help in keeping the floor beautiful and long lasting.
Conclusion:
Hardwood flooring is a very good option to give a classy and premium look to the house but due to mistakes in its installation or maintenance, the chances of flooring getting damaged in future are very high. While selecting hardwood, it is important to keep the weather in mind because the weather of every place is different and wood types are according to that. Wood should not be selected only by looking at the design. Apart from this, to avoid gaps or buckling in the flooring due to expansion or contraction of the wood, keep the wood to acclimatize according to the room temperature before installing it.
The life of the wood of hardwood flooring can be reduced if the subfloor is moist or uneven, so not checking the subfloor can be a big mistake and to avoid this problem it is also very important to check the subfloor thoroughly before flooring installation, and apply a moisture barrier and do proper levelling. One reason for your hardwood flooring to rise or break is to not leave an expansion gap, so it is also very important to leave a 10 mm expansion gap.
Some small mistakes can damage your flooring such as skipping the underlayment, using harsh chemicals, or using the wrong adhesive, so it is important to use cleaning tools and wood-specific cleaner only. Polishing and recoating are essential to keep flooring looking fresh.
Applying UV protection is also important if you want to avoid direct sunlight exposure and fading of the flooring color. Hiring a professional instead of DIY is the right choice if you don't have experience with installation.
Use a humidifier or dehumidifier seasonally to control indoor humidity. You can keep your hardwood flooring beautiful and long-lasting by following these tips. You can make premium and beautiful flooring possible with smart planning!
