Professionally installed, hardwood floors become a premier feature of the home, enhancing the property in numerous ways, from elevating aesthetics to increasing resale value. Still, gorgeous as the results may be, achieving them is anything but easy.

If you observe specialists from Winston-Salem, hardwood floor installation may seem like a streamlined process – and for the most part, it is.

However, for the inexperienced, this undertaking can prove to be an untameable beast. Let’s explore the reasons why.

Is installing hardwood floors difficult?

In short, yes. Installing hardwood floors can be quite difficult – especially for DIYers – and for numerous reasons, the most notable being:

• Subfloor preparation: Hardwood floors require a level, dry, and stable subfloor if they are to sit correctly. However, meeting these criteria can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, often requiring specialized tools and methods that are seldom found in the arsenal of a DIYer.
• Feasibility of installation: While it may seem otherwise, hardwood floors are not suitable for every room of the house, and installing them in those places can only lead to future problems and additional expenses.
• Accuracy: Precise measurements and proper layout are crucial to avoid costly errors, such as excessive waste of materials and uneven flooring, to mention just a few.
• Fitting: Cutting hardwood planks to fit around obstacles (e.g., heating vents, doorways, odd corners, etc.) requires a fair bit of precision and skill. What’s more, it involves working with power tools that can be dangerous to use without proper training.
• Installation techniques: Different installation methods (e.g., nail-down, staple-down, glue-down, floating) have unique requirements and challenges, necessitating in-depth knowledge to meet/overcome.
• Physical demands: Even if we’re to ignore everything else, installing hardwood floors remains a physically demanding task, as it involves a lot of lifting, bending, and kneeling. This can take a toll on the body, especially if done for several hours a day over multiple days – as is often the case even for the simplest installations.

So, not only are there many factors to consider before the work starts, but the process itself requires a great deal of patience, precision, stamina, and above all, skill.

As if those requirements weren’t enough, there’s a great chance of encountering additional obstacles, which can only be circumvented if the installer knows exactly what they’re doing – and that degree of prowess only comes from years in the field.

 

Can I install hardwood floors myself?

While technically possible, we must strongly advise against this course of action. Installing hardwood flooring without proper experience, knowledge, preparation, and tools can result in numerous issues, including:

• Uneven or sloping floors are a common consequence of inadequate subfloor preparation or incorrect installation.
• Gaps between planks or buckling can occur from a number of factors, including insufficient acclimation, incorrect moisture levels, or poor installation.
• Creaking and squeaking floors result from inadequate subfloor preparation, incorrect nailing/stapling, or poor fitting.
• Water damage is a common issue that often arises from improper installation around transitions (e.g., near bathrooms, kitchens).
• Extra expenses are commonplace during DIY installation and are typically incurred by wasted materials, the need for additional labor, or even the need for a professional to redo the installation – sometimes from scratch.
• Voided warranties are a possibility if the manufacturer’s installation guidelines are not followed.
• Injuries resulting from improper use of equipment, especially power tools, can reach severe levels – even to the point of permanent disability.

While some of these issues are just eyesores (e.g. gapping or buckling) or nuisances (e.g. noisy floors), others (e.g. water damage, redoing the installation) can be a severe hit to your home budget – and let’s not even talk about the possibility of incurring permanent disability.

With everything being said, it is clear that hardwood floor installation is definitely not DIY-friendly – and that’s an understatement. Therefore, the best course of action is to leave this task to professionals and rest easy, knowing that the job will be done and done right.

Who does high-quality hardwood floor installation near me in Winston-Salem?

If you’re looking for a team that can install your new home feature with speed and precision, Premier Hardwood Flooring should be your first choice. We bring 20+ years of experience and expertise to every project, ensuring that your floors reflect the highest standards of durability and aesthetic appeal. Whether you reside near the West End Historic District or any other part of Winston-Salem, you can rely on our professionalism to transform your home into its best self. Reach out today and let’s get started!