Installing Hardwood Floors for Your Bathroom

Installing Hardwood Floors for Your Bathroom

Installing Hardwood Floors for Your Bathroom

Climbing out of a warm bed first thing in the morning only to shiver in a freezing cold bathroom is enough to send anyone running back to the sheets.

Most radiators in bathroom suites are linked to a central heating system, so when the heating comes on, the bathroom will warm up. Bathroom heating has come a long way over the years, and the radiator itself can be stylised to the feel of the bathroom. Age and decoration of the house and the bathroom suite itself will often dictate the style of radiator to choose, from elaborate Victorian to minimalist Art Deco or something more eclectic.

If you are trying to cut down on central heating bills and heating unused spaces, then you may choose to have a free-standing electric radiator or electric towel rail. Both these can be switched on as and when needed; and thermostatic radiator valves and timers can provide temperature control and preset facilities for more flexible use. Heated towel rails are especially handy as they have the added functionality of keeping your towels dry and warm in addition to your bathroom suite.

A new craze in bathroom heating is under floor radiant heating, which is becoming more and more popular. Electric under floor mats provide evenly distributed warmth across a tiled floor and dry wet areas quickly. Under floor heating will also make your bathroom suite safer and healthier, as a dry floor will prevent slipping accidents as well as deter the build up of mould. New systems are also cost effective where intelligent thermostats provide memory heat control and preset facilities, and when set up correctly with proper insulation, can reduce energy bills by as much as 20%.

Bamboo wood flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional residential flooring. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners. Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring can now be found easily in both European and North American markets. Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness. The bamboo plant regrows very quickly when compared with the time it takes a forest to regrow. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows much quicker than any tree. When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be done without causing any permanent damage.

How does bamboo wood flooring compare with traditional hardwoods? High quality bamboo flooring provides a tougher surface than even the rarest and most expensive hardwoods. Moisture does not affect bamboo in the way that hardwood suffers from water damage. Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack due to water exposure, bamboo flooring will keep out water without a problem. Bamboo flooring is engineered like a laminate and treated under extremely high pressure with a high quality adhesive. This makes bamboo flooring extremely hardy and resistant to abrasion, where a hardwood floor would end up showing scratches. Bamboo flooring has become a great deal more affordable in recent times as well.

Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is produced with a tongue and groove construction, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, let the planks to adjust to their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring does not suffer from water damage like hardwood, they do need some time to adjust to the new environment before installation.

What steps need to be taken in order to provide upkeep for a bamboo floor? Upkeep requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Make certain to sweep and mop the floor after it is laid down. Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation. This will prevent dust and dirt from collecting on the finish. A mat should be placed at the entrance to prevent dust and dirt from coming into the room. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can go a long way in preventing this problem.

Hardwood floors are a beautiful and stylish addition to a home. Installing hardwood floors can be a challenging task, but the reward of having elegant flooring make it worth the task. People can install this type of floor themselves as long as they follow the proper steps.

The following is a guide to installing your own hardwood floors:

  1. The first thing you have to do is decide what type of wood flooring you will use. There are a number of different styles of wood flooring available. You can pick from a variety of widths and thickness. The most common type of wood is Oak. There are also different grades such as Clear (contains very little marks), Select (a light grain with little marks), Number 1 Common (various hues and a few marks), and Number 2 Common (a number of marks, knots, and discoloring). Maple and Birch are also popular wood for flooring.
  2. Once you have chosen the hardwood flooring, you have to measure the room. Gather the necessary installation tools such as a nail gun, chalk and pencils, tar paper, spacers, and a pry bar. Lay out the pieces to make sure you have enough flooring. Measure the room to create a center line and mark it with chalk.
  3. Insert spacers around the edge of the area to create a slight space.
  4. Choose the boards (planks) for the first row. Place the first set of planks while making sure the groove side is next to the wall. The flooring is typically placed parallel to the longest wall. Lay the longest pieces at the doorways and use the shortest pieces for the rest of the room. Nail the boards into the floor joists and set the nails. After completing the first row, continue by placing planks using a floor nail gun. Place the edges over one another, roughly 4 to 6 inches apart, and glue the seams down.
  5. Use spacers between the planks for the boards to get larger and smaller naturally. Angle a nail over the tongue every 6 inches for planks. Tap the planks into place.
  6. Use a pry bar to snap the last board into place when you arrive at the last row.

The hardwood floor installation process can take some time, but when done properly, you will be pleased with the results.

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