hardwood???

Question

we are thinking about putting hardwood floors in our house. do you think that i could do it my self? or should i hire somebody? is it hard to do ?

Answer 1

It's totally dependent on how handy you are...some engineered flooring systems are pretty straightforward but nothing is totally a breeze...and it's tough on the knees.

Answer 2

A HARDWOOD FLOOR TO LOOK GOOD AND LAST FOR A LONG TIME IN THAT STATE IT IS A PROFESSIONAL JOB ,HARDWOOD FLOORS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND YOU DONT WANT TO WASTE MONEY ON A POORLY FITTED FLOOR .THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN FITTING HARDWOOD ,LIKE WHAT YOUR FIXING THE FLOOR TO ,JOISTS.FLOORBOARDS,CONCREATE IN WICH CASE YOU WOULD NEED TO FIX BATTERNS TO THE FLOOR FIRST WICH WILL RAISE THE HEIGHTS OF YOUR FLOORS SO YOU MIGHT HAVE SMALL TRIP HAZARDS IN ROOMS IF YOU DO NOT FLOOR THE WHOLE DOWN OR UPSTAIRS LEVEL +YOUR DOORS WOULD NEED TO BE TRIMMED TO COPE WITH NEW FLOOR HEIGHT.YOU WILL HAVE TO THINK HOW BEST TO FIX IT DOWN WETHER IT BE THROUGH THE FACE OR SECRET NAILED THROUGH THE TOUNGE.WHAT IM SAYING IS IF U HAVE NOT DONE A HARDWOOD FLOOR BEFORE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG AND THE PRICE OF THE FLOORING IS EXPENSIVE SO IF YOU DECIDE THAT HARDWOOD IS YOUR CHOICE THEN IT SHOULD BE FITTED RIGHT THE FIRST TIME ,ANY MISTAKE CAN BE VERY COSTLY.

Answer 3

It depends on if you are doing real hardwood or an engineered laminate floor. The laminate floors are very easy to do and require only a saw, tape measure and a lot of patience. Real Hardwood requires you to nail it down, knowing the nail pattern and where to place the nails is key to a good looking floor when you are finished. By the way, engineered laminates are more durable and dent and scratch resistance, just because its called HARD wood doesn't mean it won't ding and dent. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Hardwood flooring takes talent and practice!!! Floating the floor, and especially if it is a finish on-site (stain and coat) hardwood floor. I would recommend NOT doing it yourself! Laminate wood floors are easier, just click together and no staining etc.. involved.

Hardwood is MUCH pricier and I would not gamble that kind of an investment!

Answer 5

It is time consuming and back bending as well as knee hurting but it certainly can be done. You will need special tools and equipment though. Knee pads (good ones), a miter saw, a pneumatic nailer or stapler made for flooring, a compressor, and floor sanders when done installing strip not pre-finished flooring. Pre-finished is easier but more expensive but sanding and finishing is time consuming and dirty. Get a book on how to do this because there are many tricks to this that you don't want to learn the hard way.

Answer 6

depends on how handy you are. if you rent a hardwood flooring gun it will be fairly easy for anyone to do. it has a special piece on it to shoot the nails or staples in on a 45 degree angle. its tounge and groove and you just staple on the tounge and lay as you go. boards go perpendicular to the floors joists. red rosin paper under and thats the basics.

Answer 7

Never know until you try. Now days they are making it easier for us diy-ers! Maybe talk to someone at store, like Home Depot, and let them explain what the job will be, then decide if you think you can tackle it. Always good idea to know in advance of what you may be getting into. Good luck if you decide to tackle the job yourself!

Answer 8

I installed oak flooring upstairs at my parents when I was 12 years old. It was prefinished, and I pre-drilled every nail, and set them by hand. Yes, It can be done.
By the way, they are still beautiful. Thirty some years later.

Answer 9

Not if you have the right tools, know how to use them accurately and safely, if so go for it