It’s hard to beat a good quality wood floor. Not only does it look good, but it is also very durable and needs minimal maintenance. You’ll also find wood floorings are effective at insulating your home and make it feel warmer.
Alongside this, there is an array of patterns to choose from. Of course, the classic herringbone flooring is still exceptionally popular and worth looking at.
If you are considering wood flooring you’ll probably be wondering what needs to go under it. There are actually just two main options for subfloors to your wood flooring. And you can visit this trusted flooring store to buy all kinds of high-quality flooring materials, including rugs, carpets, and tiles.
Concrete
Concrete is a common subfloor, especially when dealing with the lower levels of your home. This is because it is part of the foundations, solid, and durable.
Providing the concrete has been leveled properly when laid there is very little you need to do to it. In general, this is the simplest option.
However, concrete is porous and you’ll want to make sure there is a good damp-proof layer under the concrete preventing moisture from rising into the wood flooring. IF this isn’t the case you’ll need to put a damp proof course between the concrete and the wood.
Wood Sub Floors
This is also very common. The wood subfloor can be the original floorboards. You’ll want to check they are in good condition with no signs of wet rot or pests such as termites.
You may also find that the subfloor is sheets of wood, they can be any type of wood.
Again, you’ll need to think about damp proofing and you will want to make sure the floor is level. If it isn’t, you’ll need to add a self-leveling compound that will take care of this.
Fixing The Wood Flooring
There are several options when putting your wood flooring down. But, in all cases, it is essential that you make sure the floor is clean, dry, and free of grease before you lay the wood. If you don’t, this will be trapped between the subfloor and wood flooring, causing damage, stains, and even rot.
You can nail the wood flooring in position although this isn’t recommended over a concrete floor. Alternatively, you can add wooden joists to the floor and create a floating floor that lifts it slightly higher than the original flooring.
This is actually a great choice if you want to add lots of insulation and keep your house warmer. Remember, the better insulated the house the less electricity you’ll use.
It is also possible to glue the wood flooring into place, this is perhaps the simplest of approaches.
However, you should note that wood flooring will expand and contract with heat and humidity. That means you need to give the flooring a little space to ensure it can move. If you don’t you may come down in the morning to find it all warped and damaged.
The right wood flooring is surprisingly easy to fit and adds value to your property. It is also a pleasure to use every day. It’s time you took a closer look at it!