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Wood Flooring Advice

Shashank Nakate
Floors made of wood are one of the most preferred flooring options. Provided here is some useful information and advice, ranging from the selection of material to its installation procedure.
Hardwood strips have been a popular choice in the installation of flooring, on account of being durable and easy to restore. However, one has to follow certain guidelines during the installation.

The Process and Advice
The process of installation can be broken down into steps such as the selection of materials and the tools, preparatory activity, and the actual process of installation.

Material Selection

There are generally 3 options to select the wood required for the flooring: solid strips, parquet tiles, and engineered flooring. If ease of installation is to be considered, parquet tiles and engineered wood are the best, as you might not need an expert to install them.
Using solid strips for the purpose of flooring is a traditional approach. One should purchase solid strips that are pre-finished to make the installation work easier.

Tools

The pneumatic nailer is a tool required for fixing the nails. Glue is used for sticking the joints properly. A damp cloth is also required to remove the glue, which spills out while fixing the strips.

Preparation

The preparation holds great importance in the installation of wooden floors. The surface on which the floor is set should be leveled by a leveling compound. It is a must for glue-down installations.
The moisture barrier needs to be selected, depending on the type of flooring. The glue-down and nail-down floor require paint-on or pour-on moisture barriers. The floated floors, on the other hand, need polythene sheets.

Installation Process

There are two methods which can be used for the process of installation. In both these methods, wooden strips are laid in rows. In the first method, which is quite commonly used, strips are laid one after other and the last piece which doesn't fit in the area properly is cut and used for the second row.
The other method is a little complicated, wherein the wooden strips are measured and fit properly in the locations of one's preference. It helps in determining the position of joints. Measuring and fitting the strips properly is a very important step.

Bamboo Flooring
The option of bamboo flooring is cost-effective, when compared to the regular hardwood floors. Bamboo is a grass which grows quickly. It is not only an affordable option, but also environment-friendly.
This is because bamboo grows quickly, as compared to other hardwood plants. Needless to say, cutting down the hardwood trees would also damage the environment greatly.

Cleaning Tips
  • It can be cleaned by the means of mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming. Sweeping needs be done daily, while mopping up the floor with a damp cloth needs to be done once a week.
  • The use of commercial-grade cleaners for swabbing the entry path is a recommended practice.
  • It is advisable to use a detergent that foams less. For the protection of polish and removal of dirt, one should use a detergent with neutral pH.
An appropriate method must be used to clean hardwood flooring, so as to keep them in a good condition.