Hardwood floors and stairs can bring a sense of beauty, elegance, and sophistication to any home. And while the process of installing either of these features may seem daunting at first, it is actually an easy job with some basic knowledge. Let’s take a look at what types of hardwood are available and how they are installed in both floors and stairs.
Types of Hardwood Flooring
There are two main types of hardwood flooring available for installation: solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring. Solid wood is exactly what it sounds like — a single piece or plank of solid hardwood. This type can be sanded down and refinished many times over its lifetime, making it a great option for those who want to change the finish or style in the future. Engineered wood is made up of several layers that are laminated together, making it more stable than solid wood. It comes in various thicknesses and styles so you can find something that fits your personal preferences.
Hardwood Floor Installation Processes
When it comes to installing either type of hardwood floor, there are three primary methods: nail-down, glue-down, and floating installation. The nailing-down method involves nailing down each board into the subfloor using a specialized tool called a pneumatic stapler or air nailer. Glue-down installation requires applying adhesive between each board before laying them down on top of the subfloor; this method is typically used when installing engineered wood floors as they cannot be nailed down due to their delicate structure. Lastly, floating installation does not require any nails or adhesives — the boards are simply “floated” on top of a foam underlayment which helps reduce noise levels within the home.
When it comes to installing hardwood stairs, there are two different methods available — full tread replacement and stair nose replacement. Full tread replacement involves completely replacing each step with new hardwood pieces while stair nose replacement only requires replacing the front edge (or “nose”) portion of each step with new pieces; this is usually done when only the front edge needs to be replaced due to wear or damage from foot traffic over time. Both methods require careful measurement and precision in order to ensure accurate fitment on the staircase itself.
Hardwood floors and stairs can add value, beauty, and sophistication to any home regardless of size or style. Knowing what types of hardwoods you have available as well as how they should be installed will help make your project go smoothly from start to finish! If you choose a DIY project for your hardwood installation needs then we recommend doing plenty of research beforehand in order to get familiar with all aspects involved before beginning work on your own! Alternatively you may wish to hire a professional for the job - doing so will give you peace of mind that your project will end successfully:
