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Replacing your house’s concrete flooring with a wooden one can significantly transform the look and feel of your home. However, the process of removing the concrete flooring and installing wooden flooring requires careful planning and execution to ensure that the project is successful.
Here are a few things you need to ensure to efficiently replace your house’s concrete flooring with a wooden one.
#1 Proper Removal of Existing Concrete Flooring
The first step when replacing your concrete flooring with wooden flooring is to remove the existing concrete flooring. This process requires careful planning to ensure that the concrete is removed properly without damaging the subfloor or the surrounding walls. You should also ensure that all debris and dust from the concrete flooring are removed before installing the wooden flooring.
The removal process can be done using several methods, including jackhammering, grinding, or sawing. Jackhammering involves using a pneumatic hammer to break the concrete into smaller pieces, while grinding involves using a concrete grinder to grind the concrete surface to create a smooth surface. Sawing involves using a diamond saw blade to cut the concrete into smaller pieces. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose a method that best suits your needs.
If you want the least amount of noise and debris inside the house when removing the concrete, it’s best to opt for the hydraulic and chemical pressure bursting concrete removal method. Demolition contractors like Five Points Excavating suggest that this concrete removal method is perfect for those looking to avoid too much noise and debris from their concrete floor removal process.
Regardless of the method you choose, you should ensure that all the concrete is removed from the subfloor and there is no damage to the subfloor or the surrounding walls.
#2 Choosing the Right Wooden Flooring
Choosing the right wooden flooring is crucial to ensure that the project is successful. You should choose a type of wooden flooring that is suitable for your needs, such as solid wood, engineered wood, or laminate.
Solid wood is a natural product that is durable and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered wood is made of multiple layers of wood and is more stable than solid wood. Then we have laminate flooring. Since it’s made using a high-density fiberboard core along with a printed design layer, it mimics the look of real wood.
You should also choose a type of wooden flooring that is suitable for the room’s usage. For example, solid wood is not suitable for areas with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms or kitchens. Engineered wood or laminate flooring may be a better option for these areas.
#3 Preparing the Subfloor
The subfloor should be clean, level, and free of any debris or dust. If there are any uneven spots, they should be leveled using a self-leveling compound. You should also ensure that the subfloor is dry before installing the wooden flooring. Moisture can cause the wooden flooring to warp or buckle, so you should use a moisture meter to test the subfloor’s moisture content.
#4 Installing the Wooden Flooring
Installing the wooden flooring requires careful planning and execution to ensure that the installation is successful. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the wooden flooring and use the appropriate tools and materials.
Before installing the wooden flooring, you should acclimate the flooring to the room’s temperature and humidity levels. This process allows the wooden flooring to adjust to the room’s conditions and reduces the risk of warping or buckling.
You should also ensure that the wooden flooring is installed properly, with the correct spacing between each plank. The flooring should be installed perpendicular to the joists and secured to the subfloor using the appropriate fasteners.
#5 Finishing the Wooden Flooring
The finishing process involves sanding and staining the wooden flooring to give it a smooth, even finish. You should ensure that the sanding is done properly, with the correct grit sandpaper, to ensure that the wooden flooring is smooth and even.
Before you return inside the house or rearrange your furniture, make sure the floor is given a light wash to remove any debris that might have stayed behind during the clean-up process.
As long as you can ensure these few things while replacing your concrete floor with a wooden one, the overall process will be smooth and easy to manage. At the end of it all, you’ll have a beautiful new wooden floor inside the house that will look much better compared to the concrete one before.
