hardwood installation DIY or have it installed by PRO

[gghrt000]

I am in the process of completing the 800sq.ft condo built in 1990. Currently it has a carpet floor which is worn out badly. I am definitely converting to hardwood floors but and initially was going to have it installed by PRO-s but recently after seeing couple of youtube videos it does not seem to be too hard so thinking about having it installed by myself. I have never owned a home and this is my first purchase and no prior experience doing any home improvement work but on the plus side I have a very good dexterity and attention to detail. Do you think it is a long shot for me?

I spent about an hour researching and looks like I will be sticking to engineered hardwood floors due to its simplicity in installation over other types like solid,bamboo etc.,

 

[CallMeVilla]

This is do-able for a DIY project ... but you need more than YouTube. Do you have the tools? Do you have a friend who can help (who might have done this before)?

My experience with bamboo is not good. If it gets wet, it cups badly and the finish is not durable. Stick to hardwoods.

Key points ... get your first course properly aligned or the outcome will suck ... work carefully and thoughtfully (do not rush) ... leave no less than the required margin along the edges for expansion (wood is organic and expands with moisture) ... plan transitions into other rooms with t-strips ... get those joints tight and stay on line ...

Good luck!

 

[gghrt000]

thx, i am looking at lowe's youtube video it also covers tools which i just wrote down along with approx prices. i also ruled out bamboo floors because of the stuff you mentioned and also additional issues like emitting toxicity:

http://flooring.about.com/od/Floori...e-Benefits-And-Drawbacks-Of-Bamboo-Floors.htm

- solid hardwood plank
- transitions and moldings
- matching wood putty ~10$
- pneumatic flooring nailer /can be rented/ ~139$-199$
- drill with drill bits ~100$
- hammer /I got one/
- nail set and nails
- circular or miter saw ~100-150
- table saw for option for cutting lengthwise ~129$ (ryobi 15amp)
- pry bar ~10
- spacers ~10
- pencil /have/
- tape measure /have/
- dead blow hammer ~20
- nylon tapping block ~20
- utility knife
- finish nails for baseboards

 

[nealtw]

Check your paperwork, meny condos do not allow hardwood or carpet is required because of noise.
A good job will depend on how much you learn before you start. You will have to think about where to start and where you want to finish. Is the room square or is the start wall parallel to the finish wall. Which direction do you run the boards. What is the condition of the subfloor, does it dip sag or lump up or is it flexable. What do you have for baseboards and will you be able to leave them in place, will you have to cut some off the bottom of door jams.
What is the height defference from the subfloor to other floors like kitchen or bathroom.
Some of these thing can be thought about before you remove the carpet but some will require the carpet to be removed.
Wood will want to be in your house for few days before you install it.

 

[CallMeVilla]

Not sure where you are located but you can get used tools on CraigsList.com for a fraction of new. Supposes you actually want to keep those tools. If you buy "new" you can always re-sell on CraigsList to recoup some of your investment and beat the cost of renting.

Neal always makes great points ... good advice there. You should remove the baseboards which adds to your replacement cost. A nail gun makes the work much easier. Your flooring should accentuate the long run of the room ... plan it that way. If you have a foam underlayment, it can cushion the footfalls and help deal with a wavy subfloor.

 

[nealtw]

Let's not forget the compresser.

 

[gghrt000]

Let's not forget the compresser.

WHAT WOUld that be used for???

 

[gghrt000]

Check your paperwork, meny condos do not allow hardwood or carpet is required because of noise.
A good job will depend on how much you learn before you start. You will have to think about where to start and where you want to finish. Is the room square or is the start wall parallel to the finish wall. Which direction do you run the boards. What is the condition of the subfloor, does it dip sag or lump up or is it flexable. What do you have for baseboards and will you be able to leave them in place, will you have to cut some off the bottom of door jams.
What is the height defference from the subfloor to other floors like kitchen or bathroom.
Some of these thing can be thought about before you remove the carpet but some will require the carpet to be removed.
Wood will want to be in your house for few days before you install it.

thanks there are some many things to think about. Since I saw another unit in same condo which already had hardwood installed, i assume condo hoa has no issue with it. I just asked hoa for what type of subfloor it is constructed of (cement or wood etc). assuming i would be installing new baseboards.

yes my biggest concern is whether the wall parallel to the floor pieces will be on both sides, whether I start off from one side and approaching other side it might not be exactly parallel due to imperfections or other factors. I am hoping measurements will be provide some clues.
Since i am getting engineering hw-s i assume the acclimation is not important?

 

[gghrt000]

I am sure there are thousands of videos but I am watching over following videos, it contains prepping subfloor, prepping underlayment and actuall hardwood installation.
For me it looks great with clear explanation, brief and up-to-the-point with no additional fusses.
Please give any pointers or comments you like em.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cuKKSKlXKg&list=PLzoOkKpOkoRDm5xhIUzGg3AUPQkzzgMXk[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4a985yCNuw&list=PLzoOkKpOkoRDm5xhIUzGg3AUPQkzzgMXk[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgrz8jqfE_A&list=PLzoOkKpOkoRDm5xhIUzGg3AUPQkzzgMXk[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ1oUj1zKAQ[/ame]

 

[nealtw]

WHAT WOUld that be used for???

pneumatic flooring nailer /can be rented/ ~139$-199$

The nailer runs on compressed air,