DIY Network

1. Rosin paper (figure C) the entire floor.

2. Staple into place with a hammer tacker. This will be your vapor barrier, and the rosin also helps to eliminate squeaks.

1. Make sure your installer is familiar with the product. Ask your distributor for names in your area.

2. If you decide to install yourself, start by making a layout of the kitchen in order to determine how many strips of thermoplastic polymer (figure D -- the STEP Warmfloor product, see Resources, below) you need to cut.

3. Cut strips with a pair of scissors, and staple them to the subfloor.

4. Connect the terminal wires to the end of each strip.

5. Cut the plastic corner of the element to expose the braided wire that runs the length of each strip, and slip the mental connector over the braided wire at the heating strip (figure E).

6. Insert the flattened terminal wire into the connector so the two wires are touching, and use the special crimping tool to crimp the connector so it's good and tight.

7. Cut a short piece of self-adhesive sealant tape, fold it in half, peel away the backing and wrap it around the connection. Press out air and it will form a permanent seal.

8. Route all the wires into terminal boards and transformer, and call an electrician to install an off-and-on switch.

1. The main goal with installing the flooring is to make sure it's square. Do this by finding the longest run of the room. Match the run up with the existing floor in the living room, and outside the kitchen doorway for this particular house. Snap a chalkline down for this "starter" row and every other row can be built off of it.

2. Start by lining up the first board with the run of the existing floor (figure F) through the hallway into the kitchen.

3. Then line up a board with the stair nose, which is parallel with the old flooring.

4. Draw a line along this board, and then measure from the exterior wall to the board. Now transfer this measurement farther down the room. Do this by measuring from the exterior wall, the same distance, and make another mark.

5. Using these marks snap a line across the room (figure G).

6. Lay a long board along this line and nail it in using a pneumatic nailer.

7. Insert a spline or a slip tongue into the groove side of the board (figure H) and tap it into place -- and nail it using a pin nailer. This will allow you to attach boards in both directions.

   Note: The hardest part of installing new hardwood floors is getting that first row installed properly. Once you've done that the rest builds off that starter row to make the job much easier.

In the next segment, Ryan and the homeowners continue to install the hardwood flooring.

RESOURCES :

Skil
Robert Bosch Tool Corp.
Website: www.skiltools.com

Stanley Tools Information
Stanley Tools/Works
Website: www.stanleyworks.com

Fiskars (Bucket Boss Division)
Fiskars Bucket Boss Division
Website: www.bucketboss.com

3M Painter's Masking Tape and Sanding Pad
The 3M Company
Website: www.3m.com

Gil-Lift (Cabinet Lift)
Telpro Inc.
7251 South 42nd St.
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Toll-free: 800-441-0551
Website: www.telproinc.com

Prefinished Brazilian Cherry Flooring
Brand name: Bellawood
Model #: HUSBC2SV
Color: Cherry
Where available: Visit the Lumber Liquidators website, link below.
Lumber Liquidators
Website: www.lumberliquidators.com

Radiant Floor Heating System
Brand name: STEP Warmfloor
Electro Plastics, Inc.
Website: www.warmfloor.com

GUESTS :

Shane Kretsinger
Vice President, Operations
Autumn River
We apologize no contact information is available.

John Coffey
Regional Manager
Lumber Liquidators
12314 Woodbine Ave.
Redford, MI 48239
Phone: 313-532-1200

Greg Stephani
Installer
Schaefer Hardwood Floors
2246 148th Lane
Ham Lake, MN 55304
Phone: 763-413-1270