Hardwood floors are any product made of solid wood, which is specifically designed for usage as interior flooring, both functional and aesthetic. Hardwood is an attractive option as a flooring solution and comes in different species, shades, cuts, and types. Regardless of the type of hardwood you intend to use in your home, it is important that you hire a qualified professional installer to ensure the installation of the wood correctly. With proper installation techniques, hardwood floor installation can be easy, fun, and effective.
Hardwood floors are constructed in two layers: the base sub-floor which provides structural support for the upper layer, known as the engineered floor, and the finishing layer which is the topmost layer of the wood. The top layer of hardwood floor is commonly made of plywood, which is applied with glue for gluing or nailed down. A moisture barrier is usually applied in this layer as well to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture from its environment. It is common for homeowners to install the topmost layer of hardwood on the underside of the house, while the remaining layer is installed on the topmost portion of the floor.
In order for hardwood floor installation to be successful, it is important to avoid water damage and excessive wear and tear. Moisture is the number one enemy of wood floors and is the biggest culprit in causing damage to floors. For this reason, it is very important to ensure that there are no leaks anywhere near the area of installation. Also, excessive use of water can cause the wood to expand, which will then cause any damages caused by the water to compound over the existing damage, causing it to become more extensive and more difficult to repair.