Flooring and the Do-it-yourself Dilemma
The do-it-yourself dilemma is not uncommon with first-time floor installers. The very thought of being on your knees for more than 2 hours is excruciating for some. In the past, this is a very real scenario. It will definitely take more than 2 hours of your precious time to install old-fashioned hardwood floors. Times have changed though, more and more floors are becoming DIY-friendly.
First thing to consider when starting a do-it-yourself flooring project is the kind of flooring to be installed. Understand that some floors take longer than others to put in. Cork and laminate floors are the best choice for DIYers, these usually feature easy install systems that are patented by the manufacturers.
Because of its engineered construction, bamboo flooring is now one of the toughest contenders for do-it-yourself floors. Engineered floors give you the installation versatility that you won’t be able to get from solid hardwood flooring. For instance, engineered bamboo floors can go on-, above, or below-grade. This basically means it’s perfectly fine to install engineered wood floors in any level of your home. On-grade level is the level that is in the same height as your curb, basically the ground floor of any structure. Above-grade is your second floor and below-grade is your basement. Even better, engineered bamboo floors can be installed via glue-down, staple down, nail-down and even floating method.
The next thing to look at when considering doing it yourself is the flooring profile or the tongue and groove system of your floor. Some companies have come up with a variation called snap together flooring (a laminate floor innovation) where the tongue and groove line up horizontally and are tapped into place. One problem with this type of flooring: it can never be taken apart without jeopardizing the integrity of the connecting joints.
An even better alternative is the click-together version. This self-aligning floor usually comes in a glueless variation that allows for an even smoother installation. This kind of locking floor can be taken apart a number of times. The long joints click together by inserting the tongue at a slant into the channel of the groove.
Hardwood floors, though still the most beautiful and structurally stable flooring available is still a difficult undertaking. It is better left in the hands of the more capable do-it-yourselfer. Installing hardwood floors requires basic carpentry skills and the use of some specialized tools like pneumatic nailers, angle nailers and jamb saws.
And last, but definitely worth a read, is the third criterion of a do-it-yourself project. Find out whether the floors will still be warranted by the manufacturer if you do the installation yourself. Read the warranty details thoroughly. It is critical that flooring be installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some warrantors may use improper installation as a stipulation to void the warranty. Do-it-yourselfers should try to follow instructions to the letter, including the use of approved adhesives and underlayments.
If you think that the installation of your flooring is better left in the hands of the professionals, then by all means, hire an installer.