Scratches, fading, or damage can leave your once-gorgeous floors looking tired. If you're ready to revitalize your space, replacing your hardwood floors yourself is a rewarding project. In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways:
- Carefully remove the old flooring for a smooth installation process.
- The underlayment provides a foundation for your new floor.
- Precise measuring, cutting, and nailing of planks ensures a beautiful and secure floor.
- Attention to detail in the final steps (filling holes, reinstalling trim) completes the project with a professional look.
Table of Contents
Tools and Materials
Before you begin your hardwood floor replacement project, gather all the necessary tools and materials. This will streamline the process and prevent frustrating delays.
Essential Tools
- Pry bar: The workhorse for removing old flooring.
- Circular saw: For creating cuts to make the removal process easier.
- Mallet: Used with the pry bar to loosen floorboards.
- Flooring nail gun (or hammer): For securing the new hardwood.
- Safety glasses: Protect your eyes from dust and wood chips.
- Work gloves: Reduce the risk of splinters and blisters.
- Tape measure: For accurate measurements throughout the project.
- Knee pads (optional): Protect your knees when working on the floor for extended periods.
Types of Hardwood Flooring
- Solid hardwood: Classic, beautiful, and can be refinished multiple times.
- Engineered hardwood: A more stable option for damp areas, consisting of a hardwood veneer over a plywood base.
- Click-lock flooring: The easiest to install, planks click together for a seamless look.
Additional Materials
- Underlayment: Provides cushioning, moisture management (if necessary), and sound reduction between the subfloor and hardwood.
- Nails: Appropriate size nails for your flooring nail gun, or nails suitable for hand-nailing.
- Wood putty (matching color): To fill nail holes and any minor gaps after installation.
Important Notes
- Consult with flooring specialists to determine the type of hardwood and amount of material needed for your room.
- Rent power tools like flooring nail guns if you don't own them to save on costs.
Removing the Old Flooring
This stage can be physically demanding but is also quite satisfying! With a little patience and the right technique, you'll have that old flooring out in no time.
Step 1: Prep Work
- Furniture Removal: Clear the room completely.
- Baseboard Removal: Carefully pry off baseboards using a pry bar and mallet. Number them for easy reinstallation later.
- Dust Control: Hang plastic sheeting over doorways to contain dust.
Step 2: Creating Starter Cuts
- Circular Saw: Set the circular saw depth just slightly deeper than the thickness of your existing flooring. This prevents damage to the subfloor.
- Perpendicular Cuts: Run the saw across the floorboards, perpendicular to the direction they're laid, creating sections about 1-2 feet wide. This makes removal easier.
Step 3: Prying Up Floorboards
- Start in the Middle: Choose a section away from walls to begin.
- Pry Bar Leverage: Wedge the pry bar under a cut section of flooring and use the mallet to apply pressure. The board should start to lift.
- Work Outward: Continue prying boards, working outward towards the walls and moving along the sections you cut.
- Stubborn Boards: If boards are glued or very secure, use extra force or cut smaller sections.
Step 4: Subfloor Inspection
- Check for Damage: Look for water damage, rot, or loose areas in the subfloor. Repair minor issues before proceeding.
- Clean Up: Sweep or vacuum thoroughly, removing all debris and old nails or staples.
Important Notes
- Wear safety gear, especially gloves and eye protection, during the removal process.
- If you encounter extensive subfloor damage, you may need to consult a professional.
With the old flooring out, you're ready to lay the groundwork for your beautiful new floor! Let's move on to installing the underlayment.
Installing the New Flooring
It's time for the exciting part – watching your new floor come to life! Careful attention to detail during this stage will ensure a beautiful and long-lasting result.
Step 1: Underlayment Installation
- Selecting the Right Underlayment: Choose a type of underlayment suited for your subfloor and the hardwood you'll be installing. Consult flooring experts for guidance if needed.
- Rolling and Cutting: Roll out the underlayment across the subfloor, cutting it to fit with a utility knife. Abut seams but don't overlap them.
- Securing: Some underlayments have adhesive strips; for others, use tape to secure the seams and hold them in place.
Step 2: Laying the First Rows
- Expansion Gaps: Leave a gap of about ¾ inch around the entire perimeter of the room for wood expansion. Use spacers against the walls to maintain this gap.
- Starting Straight: It's crucial to start with a perfectly straight first row. Use a chalk line or a long level as a guide.
- Nailing the First Boards: Secure these first boards by nailing through the face (the visible top), as you won't be able to use a flooring nailer this close to the wall.
Step 3: Continuing the Installation
- Staggering Seams: For strength and visual appeal, offset the end-joints of adjacent rows by at least 6 inches.
- Cutting Boards: As you reach walls or obstacles, measure and cut boards using your circular saw or a jigsaw.
- Flooring Nailer: Once you have enough space, switch to the flooring nail gun (or hammer if hand-nailing) to secure boards through the tongue at a 45-degree angle. This hides the nails.
Step 4: Completing the Final Rows
- Tricky Spaces: The last rows near the wall may be too narrow for the flooring nailer. You might need to hand-nail like the first rows.
- Pull Bar: A pull bar can be helpful to close gaps and get tight joins on these final rows.
Important Notes
- Check your work as you go, ensuring the rows are straight and the seams are tight.
- Refer to your flooring product's specific installation instructions for any variations.
Once your floor is installed, it's time to add those finishing touches that make a big difference!
The Finishing Touches
With your new hardwood floor installed, a few final steps will complete the transformation and protect your hard work.
- Filling Nail Holes: Use wood putty that closely matches your flooring. Apply a small amount to each nail hole, smoothing it over with a putty knife. Let it dry completely, then sand lightly if needed.
- Reinstalling Baseboards and Transitions: Reattach the baseboards you removed earlier, ensuring they are flush against the new floor. If needed, install transitions between your new hardwood flooring and other flooring types in the home (like carpet or tile).
- Cleanup and Enjoy: Give the floor a thorough cleaning to remove dust and debris. Then step back, admire your handiwork, and put your feet up – you've earned it!
Important Notes
- Follow the drying times listed on your wood putty before proceeding to the next step.
- Consider painting or staining your baseboards to give them a fresh look that matches your new floors.
- Allow your newly installed floors to acclimate for a day or two before placing heavy furniture, especially if you installed solid hardwood flooring.
That's it! Your hardwood floor replacement is complete.