DIY Hardwodd floors, installing

Hi, just did a search and only found floor refinishing, but did anyone actually lay down the hardwood themselves?

I have been reading up that the floating is easier to install. Is it a lesser quality?

DH has helped friends in the past lay pergo, but we have never done the wood.

DH figures that if he messes up it is cheaper to purchase extra slats then to pay someone

tia!

-I am sure this is not going to be our last home, so DH kind of wants to pick up the skill so we can always be able to do it. He is going to look into taking a home depot class too,.

Re: DIY Hardwodd floors, installing

OMG if I can tell you we did this with bamboo floors got in two HUGE arguments and ended up having to pay $600 to get them installed-No let me say that bamboo is VERY hard to install-it is chipped together on the grooves so it is impossible-this is a floating engineered hardwood floor. We then also installed(DH did) floating engineered hardwood oak floors which were easier but still a PITA-I higly recommend Lumber Liquidators for the actual flooring

Re: DIY Hardwodd floors, installing

We're not the DIY type at all...we're horrible with our hands! But a co-worker did wood floors with her DH and regrets it...only because they sort of "winged it" and ended up using nails AND glue (once they ran out of nails). She told me to stay away and hire someone (I was considering it)...but

If your DH is handy and takes a few classes, I think he should be fine. Just have a back-up since you never know! Good luck!!

DIY Netword episode

Article on installing

Re: DIY Hardwodd floors, installing

Real Hardwood is difficult to DIY because you have to use glue, nail or staple. With Engineered Hardwood you can use the Floating method which requires no glue, nails or staples.

I'm going to try and do laminate in a couple of months using the tongue and groove method. I figure if I get the materials and it doesn't work out I can hire a professional to finish it.

Re: DIY Hardwodd floors, installing

My DH and my FIL did our living and dining room and they look great. You have to give it some thought before you lay the pieces down. DH rented the nail gun at Home Depot. He did make a few mistakes but not any that you would notice. It took him a weekend to do. The wood flooring we purchased was prefinished. DH also installed the prego and it seemed easier to lay the hardwood down.

Re: DIY Hardwodd floors, installing

thanks all!