If you’re planning on getting a new hardwood floor installed soon, the best thing to do before the installation occurs it to make a plan. There are many components that go into installing a new floor. Getting everything ready ahead of time gives you less to worry about when the time comes. Here are a few things to consider.
How to Prepare Hardwood Flooring
Make Sure the Humidity Is Correct in the Room
One of the most important things you can do before installing a new floor, or getting one installed, is to make sure the humidity in the room is at the right level. This is especially true if you are getting new hardwood floor.
Humidity will play a crucial role in how your new floor is going to settle, so to speak. During the summer months, there is an excess of humidity in the air. This is extra true in Nashville, which already has a high amount of humidity to begin with. If left unchecked, the extra moisture in the air will cause the wood planks to warp.
When a new floor is installed, it is susceptible to warping until it acclimates to the air around it. Until that happens, it is a great idea to have a dehumidifier on hand to regulate the moisture in the room. The ideal range is somewhere between 30-50% humidity. Keep in mind as the weather drops, the humidity level will drop to the other end of the spectrum and get drier. In that case, you will want a humidifier to fight dryness in the air.
Have a Plan For Furniture in the Room
Hardwood floors differ from residential carpeting and they need to be treated differently as well. To prevent your hardwood floors from getting scratched, it’s important to have clear ideas about how the flooring will be laid out before installation. It’s also a good idea to think about getting an area rug, especially in places that get a lot of direct sunlight. This will prevent the floor from darkening at an uneven rate and can lengthen the time before you need to refinish or surface the floor.
Know What Color You Want the Hardwood Floor to Be
The color of your hardwood floor will impact how the room is perceived. Darker colors will make the room seem smaller, while lighter shades will make the room seem larger. While each individual species of wood will have its natural color, you can change and play with it through the use of various finishes. Similar to linoleum plank flooring, hardwood flooring can be styled to look like almost anything. Since everything is already going to be out of the room for the installation itself, directly after installation is the perfect time to implement any color changes.
Getting a new hardwood floor is an exciting thing. Knowing exactly what to do before and after will make things go much more smoothly. Have a plan for where everything is going to go, make sure the moisture levels are fine, and let the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey handle the rest. We’re here to answer any questions you might have.
