How to Install Hardwood Floor on a Budget?

In This Post:
Tools & materials for installing a hardwood floor
DIY guide for installing a hardwood floor
Maintenance tips for installing a hardwood floor

Just like our past post on budget-friendly alternatives to wood flooring in Pakistan, we are back with yet another great list of ideas to save you some money. This time, we will focus on how to install hardwood flooring when you are running on a budget.

As per usual, we will divide our blog into easy-to-comprehend sections. First, we will share a list of necessary tools and equipment that you will need to install a hardwood floor. Afterwards, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install a hardwood floor by yourself. In the end, we will share some tips on hardwood flooring maintenance and upkeep. 

Let’s begin! 

Tools and Material Required to Install a Hardwood Floor on a Budget

Hardwood flooring gives a touch of luxury and adds an extra layer of class to your home décor. And, if you are running on a budget, you should know that installing hardwood flooring is extremely economical if you have all the tools and material available at home. Even If you don’t, you can always borrow them from a friend for the time being. 

Tools and Material 

Make sure you have all the necessary equipment and material in place before you begin. It doesn’t matter whether you are installing hardwood flooring in your kitchen or anywhere in your house, here’s a list of some essentials you will need to complete the project by yourself on a budget: 

• Chalk line
• Chop saw
• Drill bits
• Hammer
• Nail set
• Pry bar
• Staple gun
• Table saw
• Tape measure
• Variable speed drill
• Pneumatic floor gun
• Modular porch system kit
• Hardwood planks 
• Vapour barrier paper
• Wood putty

Safety Gear 

First things first: safety should be your top priority when you are installing hardwood flooring by yourself. Make sure you have all the safety gear mentioned below:

• Ear protection
• Safety goggles
• Knee protection
• Safety gloves 

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Install Hardwood Flooring 

Installing hardwood flooring requires determination and a lot of energy. You will have to prepare yourself for the process by determining what works best for you. First, decide the method for installation. As such, the installation process for hardwood flooring involves the width, thickness, and the area of your house [where the hardwood flooring is being installed]. Generally, there are two methods for installing hardwood flooring. If you want, you can nail or staple it to the subfloor, or you can also glue it or mechanically fasten it as a floating floor. 

All in all, the installation mainly depends on the product you have purchased. It is best to ask the retailer before you make a purchase.

We had previously shared a comprehensive guide on how to install kitchen cabinets, DIY door installation, and the process of installing bathroom flooring. The primary goal behind these guides is to help you save the money spent on hiring a professional. Continuing with the same efforts to help you save, here’s our step by step guide on how to install hardwood flooring in the kitchen or anywhere in your house:

• Step 1: Selecting the Wooden Boards
• Step 2: Room Measurement 
• Step 3: Room Inspection 
• Step 4: Rolling Out the Vapor Barrier Paper
• Step 5: Floor Preparation 
• Step 6: Placing the Boards 
• Step 7: Hand-Nailing the Rolls 
• Step 8: Stapling the Boards
• Step 9: Cutting Baseboards
• Step 10: Mind the Gaps

Step 1: Selecting the Wooden Boards

Selecting the appropriate wooden boards that match your needs and budget is a quintessential part of the installation process for hardwood flooring. Besides needs and budget, you should consider two things: the species of the wood and the width of the boards.  

Step 2: Room Measurement 

Once you have selected the best wooden boards for your hardwood floor, the next step is measuring the dimensions of the area or room. Take measurements of the area you are going to cover with the hardwood floor. Once you have the answer, multiply it to get the square footage. 

Pro Tip: When purchasing wooden boards, buy 10-15 percent extra to compensate for irregular boards, damaged boards, and cutting mistakes. 

Step 3: Room Inspection 

The actual installation process begins with room inspection. Check the subfloor for damages and squeaking. Make sure there are no unusual bumps, water damages, or gaps in the floor. If you spot anything, fix it immediately and not leave it for later. Also, sweep and clean the floor thoroughly. 

Step 4: Rolling Out the Vapour Barrier Paper

Before the installation, you will have to make your floor damp-proof, and vapour barrier paper is just the right thing for this. It is used for proofing and resisting moisture through the floor. Not to mention, it prevents interstitial condensation. 

Spread the vapour barrier paper on the area you’re going to cover with wooden flooring. Staple the paper strips on the subfloor. Allow at least 4″ of overlapping with vapour barrier paper. Do not forget to mark the floor joist along the baseboards. 

Step 5: Floor Preparation 

The next step in installing hardwood flooring is preparing the floor and deciding a starting point. If you have fancy walls with show-moulding, you will have to remove the show-moulding to create some space for expansion or contraction in hot and cold weather. 

Step 6: Placing the Boards 

Pick up a straight wooden plank and keep it aligned with the chalk line. Now, drill holes into the hardwood board, passing down to the subfloor and joist, using a drill machine. Nail down the board at the point of every joist using a pneumatic nail gun. Repeat it all over for the entire first row. Make sure you have completed at least a few rows before jumping to the next step.

Pro Tip: If you want a solid anchor, lay the first-row perpendicular to the floor joist.

Step 7: Hand-Nailing the Rolls 

The next step on our guide for installing a hardwood floor is drilling holes into the tongue of each wooden plank. Make sure you have completed the installation of the first few rows before you get here. Hand-nail the rolls and make clearance for the pneumatic nail gun. 

Step 8: Stapling the Boards

Stapling the board is yet another crucial step in installing hardwood planks. Place the lip of the pneumatic nail gun over the wooden plank, strike firmly, and drive the staple into the tongue of the plank. 

Step 9: Cutting along the Baseboards

Not all of your wooden planks will fit perfectly wall-to-wall. You might need to cut and amend some of those boards. You don’t always have to get in there, keep the gaps, and deal with them at the end. It will help you save some time and effort. You can take measurements later and fill the space with the remaining pieces. 

Step 10: Mind the Gaps

Be sensitive to the gaps between the wooden planks and make sure all ends fit together. The tongue and the groove end need to be matched. Don’t remove the groove of the wooden plank. If you have to, cut the wall-end of the board rather than the groove. 

Pro Tip: Hardwood floor installation process is extremely demanding. Remember to be careful and calculated. We’d recommend that you take a few days off your work before starting the project. Since the project requires your full attention and we are trying to save some money, any careless mistake can cost you big time.  

Now that you have all the information you need to install a hardwood floor on a budget, let’s take a look at some maintenance tips for hardwood flooring.

Maintenance Tips for Hardwood Flooring 

The maintenance and upkeep of hardwood flooring are quite easy and straightforward, provided that you have selected prefinished hardwood boards. We have mentioned both dos and don’ts of maintenance: 

So, this was our take on how to install hardwood flooring on a budget. There are several technicalities involved in installing hardwood flooring in the house, and we have broken them down into steps to help you complete the task successfully and satisfactorily. 

Meanwhile, check out our post on tips to build a low-maintenance home. We have also discussed great flooring ideas for every budget. 

If you have any further questions, you can write to us at blog@zameen.com or send us a message on our Facebook page. Keep visiting Zameen Blog for more budget-friendly tips and guides. Get our updates delivered directly to your inbox by entering your email address in the box on the right side of your screen.