DIY Home Improvement Gurus?

[frustratedpoolmom]

Anyone here experienced with installing a prefinished hardwood floor? Looking for advice and survivor stories.

We begin tomorrow, wish me luck....

By the time my to-do list is complete, I won't want to move.

 

[meatloaf]

What type of installation will it be? Floating floor or glued/nailed down. Have you let the wood acclimate to it's new environment for at least 48 hours?

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

We're going to nail/staple it, renting a stapler. Over our existing vinyl floor...

We bought the floor on Sunday, it's been sitting in the room next to the kitchen since Sunday night, in the boxes.

 

[DaveNJ]

Remove range, dishwasher to floor under them. Measure well to get as not to have a narrow boards at the finish end. Work out of a few boxs at a time. Stagger the joints by at least 6" and keep checking field as you go. You don't want seams to line a board or two apart. Check each board before installing. I set each board, tapped in place for a tight fit in both directions, length and butt end. Stand on the field and board your nailing (stradle nailer). This keeps it pushed down when nailing. You have to start the job and end off with finish nails. The nailer won't work for the first and last foot or so (wall interfernce).

Did an addition kitchen, dining room in hardwood. Just finished 800sf laminate/interlocking.

 

[The Mermaid Queen]

We installed prefinished wood strips (Bruce, 2 1/4") in our home in Louisiana. We glued the strips directly to the slab.

I looked through all the boxes and fount the pieces I thought were 'interesting' and made sure those were placed in around in areas that would be visible, not under the dining room table or china hutch. I was also VERY particular about getting the joints staggered. The end result was lovely!

Have fun!

 

[meatloaf]

I would also recommend to leave a 1/4" gap between the flooring and walls for expansion. This will be covered with base shoe to hide the gap.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll post before and after shots when I'm done!

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Okay Before...

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

And After....

 

[JohnT]

Looks nice, but your mop is staring at you in the second picture

 

[DaveNJ]

Very nice work. Did you put felt pads on the chair legs. The felt does attract dog hair, dust, sand. I clean them periodicall and replace after a few years of use.

 

[Molson]

Wow, what coincidence! I'm doing mine right now, 800 Sq Ft!! That looks GREAT!
Note its still dirty and no trim.

 

[Molson]

yikes, I think I need to clean my camera lens.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Your flooring looks so similar. We did Columbia Taylor Honey Oak. Scratched it the first night moving the fridge back into place. Lovely. :x And the stupid chair pads keep falling off. Going to try a different brand. Now the cabinets look even more dated than before. You do one thing it makes the rest look icky, before you know it, it's a full remodel. I think we're going to paint them and get a new sink and countertops. That should help.

 

[Molson]

I located a technique to refinish existing countertops, I'll let you know how it turns out. That flooring is Butterscotch Oak by Paramount.

 

[Butterfly]

Looks nice, but your mop is staring at you in the second picture

I thought that was a duster

Your floor looks great!