DIY Network

"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 2: Installing Hardwood Floors Nearly every room in the Martz's turn-of-the-century house is updated — except their galley kitchen. Their do-it-yourself remodel includes new cabinets, hardwood flooring and a net equity return-on-investment of more than $13,000. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-203

The finished hardwood floor

Ted and Jennifer Martz have decided not to take out the laminate flooring due to the risk of kicking up asbestos. Since it's fine to just cover these floors, they decide to install hardwood flooring themselves.

Below is a summary of the basic steps in this installation, as well as a list of materials and tools used and some installation tips.

Materials and tools:

fold and lock laminate flooring
transition strip
carpet padding
15 lb. roofing felt
scissors
finish nailer
tape measure
rubber mallet
miter saw

Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

Safety Alert: If you suspect your old flooring to contain asbestos, don't remove or disturb the flooring until it is tested. Consider installing your new floors on top of the old flooring.

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Installing Hardwood Floors

Tips:

• Running the hardwood boards perpendicular to floor joists prevents them from sagging in the future.

• Leave a 3/8-inch gap between the walls and the flooring to aid in installation. You can cover this gap later with trim.

• Leave the hardwood flooring material in your house for 10 to 14 days to acclimate to your room's environment. This will limit the amount of natural expanding and contracting your flooring will go through in its lifetime.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Steps:

• Noticing that the original flooring isn't perfectly level, Jennifer and Ted decide to use a self-leveling flooring system.

• They mix the self-leveling liquid and pour it in the part of the floor that dips. When the self leveler dries they are ready to begin on the hardwood flooring.

• The first step is to roll out the 15-pound roofing felt as a moisture barrier to prevent water damage in the sub floor.

• The next step is to start laying the composite flooring. The planks go down easily and just lock together (figure A).

• Tip: Run an entire length along a wall first and note any cuts that may need to be made.

• Stagger the boards to give them extra strength and beauty (figure B), tapping them in with a rubber mallet.

• When you come to the end, install the transition piece using a finish nailer.

RESOURCES :

Resources for Sweat Equity, episode 203:

MacDonald Hardwoods
www.macwoods.com

Daltile
www.daltile.com

Breville USA
www.brevilleusa.com

Builders Outlet
Denver, CO
Phone: 303-789-0808

Guests:

Ken Haverman, contractor
Haverman Construction