When getting ready to install hardwood flooring, it's important to remember that the appropriate method for installing hardwood flooring will depend on the type of flooring you are about to install. Solid hardwood can be purchased as either planks, strips, or parquet. An alternative to solid hardwood is laminate flooring which is usually installed differently than hardwood.



Whether you purchase laminate flooring or solid hardwood, the installation instructions should be easily found on the flooring packaging. Following these instructions, laminate floors are normally quite easy to install. Laminate flooring should be kept in it's packaging until your ready to install it. Solid hardwood, on the other hand, should be removed from it's packaging beforehand so it can adjust to the humidity level in the room it will be installed in before it's installed.

With some careful planning, your flooring installation endeavors should be successful. Make sure to pay attention to the details since it's the little things that can make all the difference. The floor surface that you are installing hardwood or laminate on must be carefully cleaned to remove any dirt or dust. At a minimum the foundation should be swept and vacuumed.

It's also very important to make sure you correctly measure the area that requires new flooring to determine how much new flooring is required. To prevent issues it's always best to measure three times to make sure your numbers are right. The staff at your local hardware store can help you to determine how much flooring you need to purchase if you provide them with the measurements of the area you will be working on. By doing this you can avoid purchasing too much or too little flooring.

Glueless laminate flooring is typically very easy to install, which makes it a popular choice. This type of flooring doesn't require glue or nails and has a kind of tongue and groove design which allows the pieces to pop into place.

Before installation your new flooring, check out how the light enters the room. The planks should be installed towards your hallway lighting and should always be installed lengthwise.

Laminate flooring instructions provide all the information you'll need including how to lay the first plank against the wall and how spacers should be placed if they are required. For hardwood installation, always start in a corner using a full plank at the start of the first row. A spacer should also be used to keep a half inch gap between the plank and the wall.

With all of these things to remember, the most important is to follow the instructions provided with the flooring materials you purchase. Each type of flooring will have different requirements and each manufacturer may have slightly different advice. The instructions they provide are meant to make your installation the easiest it can be.