How To Lay A Wooden Floor

Laying a wooden floor is a great way to add warmth and character to your home. It can also be a relatively straightforward project to tackle yourself, even if you're a beginner. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to lay a wooden floor:

1. Preparation

Before you start laying the floor, it's important to prepare the subfloor. This means making sure it is level, smooth, and dry. If the subfloor is uneven, you may need to level it with self-leveling compound. If it is not smooth, you may need to sand it down. And if it is not dry, you may need to use a moisture barrier.

2. Laying the Underlayment

Once the subfloor is prepared, you can start laying the underlayment. The underlayment will help to protect the floor from moisture and noise. It will also help to make the floor more comfortable to walk on.

3. Installing the Tongue-and-Groove Planks

The next step is to install the tongue-and-groove planks. Start by laying a row of planks along one wall. Make sure that the planks are flush with the wall and that the tongues are facing out. Then, use a hammer and nail set to tap the planks into place.

4. Continue Laying the Planks

Once you have laid the first row of planks, you can continue laying the rest of the planks in the same way. Work your way from one wall to the other, and make sure that the planks are staggered by at least 6 inches. This will help to prevent the floor from buckling.

5. Trimming the Planks

Once you have laid all of the planks, you will need to trim the last row to fit. To do this, use a circular saw or a jigsaw to cut the planks to the correct length. Then, use a hammer and nail set to tap the planks into place.

6. Finishing the Floor

Once the floor is laid, you will need to finish it. This can be done by applying a stain, a sealant, or a combination of both. The type of finish you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve.