Hard wood flooring at one time was almost the only floor choice available. Through the years, floorings have come and gone such as carpeting, tiles and linoleum. Through it all, wood flooring has remained popular. The costs of owning a wooden floor is more expensive than it was years ago, but many couples are choosing to install it themselves. There are many colors and styles of woods available today. Wood flooring will not only give your home an elegant look, but will also increase the value of your home.



Some of the different styles of wood flooring are:

Plank Style Flooring-These boards are wide and look like many strips of wood in one plank. Each plank is from three to six inches wide. Installation of plank style flooring is quicker than most because the planks cover a larger section than narrower strips. Solid wood flooring-This is a custom-made floor that consists of one big piece of wood. They come in a variety of thicknesses. An advantage is they can be refinished many times in their lifespan. Wood strips-These are very narrow strip, with the widest being only three inches. These have an advantage of making a room look large. Parquet Floors-These are squares of hardwood that are similar in size to ceramic tiles. They can be nailed or glued as well as arranged in different designs for a unique appearance. This is a popular .

You can also get hardwood flooring that is pre-finished in the factory. They are easy to install and very popular, but more expensive. You will avoid having to sand and finish these yourself, which many find a tedious task.

Installing hardwood flooring is something you can do yourself with the correct tools and a little knowledge of the subject. The most important step to the installation is getting the proper measurements. Before you begin, take out all the old trim and baseboards. The sub floor needs to be level as well as clean before you begin the installation.

Occasionally hardwood floors give off a squeaky sound when you are walking on them. To avoid this, flooring stores sell a specific paper to be installed under the flooring. When you install the planks, be sure to nail them through the sub floor with long enough nails so you catch the joists as well. Begin in the middle of the room and move out towards the walls. This will ensure a more even look.

When you are finished installing the floor, you'll need to sand it. You can rent floor sanders through lumber companies or home improvement stores. Make sure that the entire floor is sanded evenly and completely. If you need to finish the floor with urethane, you will need to put on a couple of coats, letting each coat thoroughly dry before applying the next coat. You now have a new floor that needs very little maintenance other than sweeping and a quick mop now and then.