Diy Wood Flooring

DIY wood flooring is a great way to save money and improve the look of your home. It is also a relatively easy project to do, even for beginners. There are two main types of wood flooring: solid wood and engineered wood. Solid wood is more expensive, but it is also more durable and can be refinished multiple times. Engineered wood is less expensive than solid wood, but it is also less durable and cannot be refinished as many times.

To install DIY wood flooring, you will need to first prepare the subfloor. The subfloor must be level and smooth. If it is not, you will need to level it using a self-leveling compound or plywood shims. Once the subfloor is prepared, you can install the underlayment. The underlayment provides a cushion for the wood flooring and helps to reduce noise.

Once the underlayment is installed, you can start installing the wood flooring. The first row of boards should be installed against the longest wall in the room. Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around the perimeter of the room to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood.

To install the second row of boards, offset the end joints by at least 6 inches. Continue installing the wood flooring in this manner, offsetting the end joints by at least 6 inches in each row. Once the wood flooring is installed, you can trim the edges with a table saw or circular saw.

Once the wood flooring is trimmed, you can install the baseboards and shoe molding. The baseboards cover the expansion gap around the perimeter of the room and help to protect the wood flooring from moisture. The shoe molding covers the gap between the baseboards and the wood flooring.

Once the baseboards and shoe molding are installed, you can finish the wood flooring. The most common way to finish wood flooring is with polyurethane. Polyurethane comes in a variety of finishes, including matte, satin, and gloss. Choose a finish that matches the desired look of your wood flooring.

To apply polyurethane, use a foam roller or brush. Apply a thin coat of polyurethane to the wood flooring and allow it to dry completely. Once the first coat is dry, apply a second coat. Continue applying coats of polyurethane until you are satisfied with the finish.

Once the polyurethane is dry, your DIY wood flooring is complete!