How to lay wooden flooring

A wooden floor is rarely out of vogue and can really add a warm and earthy feel to your home, as well as looking contemporary. Additional benefits include the material's durability, while unlike carpet, it is very difficult for spills to cause lasting stains on wooden floors. It is also so easy to clean - just a quick sweep or vacuum and your floors will be looking just like new, while a polish can have them shining brightly.

Should you live in an older property, you could find that when you lift up the carpet there is already a wooden floor waiting underneath and it may be that with just a quick sand down and some polish it is looking as good as a new covering. One of the benefits of wood is that it just keeps getting better with age.

However, it may be that you need to invest in a new covering and if this is the case you will find there is plenty for you to choose from.

You could select a hardwood such as oak, maple or walnut, which will be extremely strong and durable. But hardwood can be quite expensive and if you are on a budget then pine may be a more suitable option. Remember, by choosing boards that have been engineered, the material will be stronger and more durable, in addition to being less at risk of warping or shrinking when wet. You may also wish to consider bamboo flooring as a more sustainable alternative to hardwood. Your best option may be to pick one that complements the wooden fittings you already have in the room - such as the skirting or doors.

Once you have chosen the wood you wish to use, the time has come for you to lay your new floors. Of course, professional tradesmen such as carpenters will be able to create a great feature for you with an excellent finish, so it may be worth finding out if you can find any services like this in your area - the cost could be much cheaper than you think.

Remember, once you have invested in some quality wood, you will want to make sure it keeps its good looks throughout the installation process, which is why it is always worth speaking to a professional. Such tradesmen may also be able to help you achieve more ambitious designs, such as parquet.

However, if you are going to attempt to lay your new floor alone, make sure that time is on your side - the job could take you the course of a weekend if the room is of a small or medium size. To begin with you should leave the wooden boards in the room in which they are going to be installed so that they have time to get used to the temperature. When it comes to arranging them, the most common style is to lay them in the same direction as the longest wall of the room, all pointing in the same direction.

You may have to remove any doors that open into the room, along with any skirting board before you begin. After ensuring the floor is clean and dust-free, you can lay down the underlay - this material will help to give support to your flooring, keep moisture away from the boards and provide comfort underfoot.

Next, you should place some plastic spacers around the outside edge of the floor. This is a very important step as it creates a miniscule gap into which the floor can expand when the humidity in the room increases, which means the wood will be less prone to bend or crack. Once the floor has been laid you can remove these spacers.

Beginning in the corner, you can then lay the first row of boards, following the manufacturers' instructions. They may require gluing or nailing in place and you must ensure you cut the end using a right angle measuring device, while still leaving the small gap where the spacers are.

You can begin your next row using any cut-off from the first and repeat the process, making sure you stagger the joints as you go by at least 30 cms. You can place a small piece of wood - or edge block - at the thin edge of the boards and tap it with a hammer to ensure it is tight to the board on its other side.

Remember that you may have to drill some holes if you need to fit a board around pipe work and always take your time with the last row as it is likely you will need to do more cutting and measuring to make sure everything fits perfectly. Finally you can remove the spacers and refit your skirting boards.

Laying a new wooden floor will require all of your DIY skills and a certain amount of carpentry knowledge but once the job is complete you will be able to stand back and admire your handiwork. Indeed, your efforts will pay off by giving the room a whole new lease of life that will last for many years to come.

Planning a home improvement project? Wood flooring is the ideal way to update your property with a feature that is both stylish and practical. For the best finish possible, Rated People can help you locate tradesmen in your area, such as experienced carpenters.

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