Hardwood floors are a great choice because they look and feel so good. Many homeowners choose to have hardwood floors installed in their homes or replace damaged ones.

The beauty and quality of the final product are undisputed. However, homeowners must be aware of all the steps and potential complications involved in the process. You will be able to manage the whole process more easily if you have a good understanding of it.

These are the things you should expect when installing hardwood flooring Melbourne.

How to Choose Your Floor?

First, choose your flooring. The time it takes to install your flooring will depend on the type of wood you choose and the finish. Some woods are more difficult than others and might take longer to apply stains or finishes, so the time involved may be shorter.

It is also important to consider the size and layout of your room, where the floor will be installed. The installation will be more labour-intensive if the floor is larger and has more intricate edges and corners. Talking through these details with your contractor will ensure that you get the best estimate of time and cost.

Preparing the Room

After you have selected your flooring and finished it, it is time to prepare the space for installation. You will need to remove all furniture, rugs, and draperies from the room. This will allow the flooring team to have the space they need and will minimize any damage to your belongings.

Because installing hardwood takes several rounds of sanding. You can reduce the amount of dust by taking your personal belongings out of the room.

All pets must be kept out of the room. You and your family must also stay off the ground. Depending on the finish, you may need to leave the house completely for the duration of the installation.

Depending on your home’s condition, the amount of preparation needed before installation may vary. New homes should be completed up to the drywall stage. Windows and HVAC systems must be installed and functional for at least a week to allow the home to reach a normal temperature.

No matter if the house is brand new, the flooring material must be delivered three days prior to installation to allow it to adjust to the home’s temperature and humidity levels.

How to Install the Floor?

After everything is prepared, it’s time to start the installation. Depending on the subfloor condition, this may be a complicated process. Any subfloor imperfections can have an impact on the final floor’s appearance as the wood is attached directly. If hardwood flooring is being replaced, it may be necessary for glue to be removed.

The floor might need to be floated in new homes to ensure it is level. Wood can expand and contract with time, especially in extreme weather conditions, so levelling hardwood floors is a must. It is more likely that your floor will remain level over time if you take extra care to ensure it is level during installation.

Sanding the Floor

After the floor has been installed, it is necessary to sand it. Sanding is necessary to prepare the boards for the finish coat. It can also ensure smoothness and flatness. The subflooring’s physical makeup will determine the level of a floor. However, the terms “flatness”, and “smoothness,” refer to the sanding process and describe how smooth and tactile a floor feels after sanding.

For any installation, the goal is to achieve a smooth and even finish. You may need to sand several times before you get the final result.

Applying the Finish

Once the floor has been sanded to a smooth finish, it is time for the final coat. The finish coat is a clear coating that protects the wood from daily wear and tears. There are many types of finishes. The type of finish you choose will depend on the wood type, traffic patterns in the room, and environmental conditions.

Certain finishes emit stronger fumes than others. They may take longer to dry. This will let you know how long it will take before you can use the space or the home. It is recommended that you wait at least two days before you walk on the floors.

It is best to wait until the floor has settled before replacing rugs or furniture. To avoid spots from forming, you may need to wait up to 30 days before you place the rugs.

The final product

Wood is a natural material so there will be imperfections such as knots, whorls, and grain lines. These imperfections can vary depending on what wood is used and should be accepted as part of the product’s natural beauty.

Remember that installation is a manual process. This can result in a “handcrafted look”, with buffer swirls, sanding marks, and other markings. This should be taken into consideration when describing hardwood flooring’s unique appearance.

You should also realize that hardwood floors can vary greatly from one another. The final durability and performance of your hardwood floor will depend on how much traffic your family uses and the softness and quality of the wood. The more soft the floor is, the more susceptible it will become stained and damaged over time. This will help you be prepared for the installation and make sure that you are able to manage all the steps. Before the job starts, it is a good idea to discuss any questions with your contractor. You and your family can enjoy hardwood floors for many more years with the right installation approach.