Installing Pine Floors

Warmth and beauty can be instantly added to any room by changing the flooring. Usually, homeowners looking for wood flooring turn to hardwood, but pine flooring is a great alternative. Pine is a beautiful softwood flooring choice that can give you the same look and feel as traditional hardwood floors, but at a lesser price. Installing pine flooring in your home can add style, beauty, and value.

Installing pine flooring can be done by amateurs, especially if you are dealing with an engineered flooring material with tongue and groove edges. Still, if you aren’t a do-it-yourself type of person, you can hire a professional to lay the flooring down and do the sanding and finishing yourself. So, where do you start when installing your pine flooring?

Pine Flooring Options

First, you should choose your pine flooring material. There are many different types of pine flooring that you can choose from. Yellow pine and white pine are examples of pine flooring material readily available. Another option is a reclaimed material.

If you have any doubts about the type of pine flooring to choose, visit your local flooring or home improvement store. There you will be able to see examples of different kinds of pine flooring and pick up any flooring tools you need. You can also choose a stain that you like, or a clear sealant if you prefer the look of the natural wood.

Is Pine Flooring Right For You?

You need to keep in mind that pine flooring is a soft material like cork, which means that it is more susceptible to dings and marks. In most cases, this is a feature that homeowners have come to love and accept in pine flooring, and it truly can lead to a beautiful, worn look. Still, some people may prefer a cleaner and smoother look. If this is you, then you may want to consider installing a quality hardwood flooring material.

If you are ready to install your own pine flooring, there are a few things to keep in mind. Of course, you will first want to take up that old linoleum or vinyl flooring and create a smooth foundation for the new pine flooring. Once this is completed, you are ready to begin the installation process.

What Should You Know When Installing Pine Flooring?

• Plastic sheeting should be laid down on top of the foundation flooring to help keep the flooring safe from any moisture that may come in through the subflooring
• Snap a chalk line to make a straight line to allow you to line up the pine flooring
• Place the boards end to end and side by side, but be sure to leave 1/4″ of space between the final board and the wall to allow for expansion
• Nail the boards down where the floor joists are located

Sanding and Finishing Your Pine Flooring

After initial installation of your pine flooring, sanding and finishing is all that is left. This process will help to seal the wood and keep it looking beautiful for many years. Without finishing your pine flooring, you will leave it open to damage. Unless the area is small enough for a hand sander to be efficient, you need to rent a floor sander to sand your pine flooring down to a smooth finish.

Now that your pine flooring is sanded, it is time to clean it and prepare to seal it. You have two options here: stain and seal, or just seal. If you like the natural color of the wood, skip out on the stain and simply apply a quality sealant for a crystal clear finish.

When you consider installing pine flooring in your home, you need to evaluate whether you have the skills necessary to do the installation yourself. Whether you choose to install the flooring yourself or have it done by a professional, you will have a beautiful floor that will keep its great beauty and style for many years to come. And remember, pine flooring is a renewable resource and thus a green flooring material!

Visit our Los Angeles Flooring showrooms for more information about Flooring.