DIY or Pay a Pro: 4 Factors to Consider When Installing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are an asset to any home. They are timeless, low-maintenance, long-lasting, environmentally- and health-friendly. Not to mention, when it comes time to sell your home, buyers are likely to spend more for a home with hardwood floors (for all those same reasons listed above!). When you've decided to replace floors in your home with hardwoods, your next big decision is how this flooring installation is going to happen. Are you going to take it on yourself, or turn over the reins to the flooring company? Here are a few factors to consider before making your decision. Site finished vs. Prefinished Floors - Prefinished hardwood floors are finished by the manufacturer before they are packaged and sold. These are usually the best bet for DIY-ers, because there's no need to worry about having to sand and finish the floors. Site-finished floors are more difficult to install than prefinished wood floors, because they need to be nailed down, sanded, and finished by hand, a process which takes several days. Installing prefinished hardwood floors is fine for a DIY-er, but the site-finished floors are best left to the professionals. Type of Hardwood Floor - There are different types of hardwood floors that determine the ease with which the floors are installed. Nail down floors have the most appealing appearance, but it is a difficult method best left to the flooring company. Glue-down floors are much the same, because of the potential mess. The lock-and-fold method is the simplest method of installation, and many homeowners find it within the realm of their capabilities. The Room - The room in which the installation will take place is a big consideration. If it's just a big square or rectangle, then it shouldn't be much of a problem. But if it is a complexly-shaped room that will require a lot of planning and cuts, then you might be better off letting the flooring company handle the job. The Budget - If the project does not have a very large budget, you might be better off doing the installation yourself, rather than paying to have the pros do it. You'll have to measure how much it will be worth it to you to have your floors professionally done. The most important point to consider when making the decision of who will install your hardwood flooring, is whether you have the time to dedicate to learning the proper way to install your floors, and taking the time to be sure it's done correctly. If this isn't possible? A professional might be the safest option for ensuring longterm value.