Do you need to hit "Refresh" on your home? Replacing carpet with hardwood floors can be a great way to upgrade your home's look and feel. It's a major project, but with some planning and preparation, it's something that most handy homeowners can tackle on their own. The pros at Alamo Handyman are here to teach you how, with just five steps, you can replace your carpet with hardwood floors and give your home a whole new look (and, if you have dogs, maybe a whole new smell too!).
Once you buy your flooring and underlayment (see step 3), you're ready to get started with these five steps to replace your carpet with hardwood:
Step 1: Remove the Carpet
The first step in this process is to remove the carpet and any padding underneath it. Use pliers to pull up the carpet from the corners and then roll it up. Be sure to wear gloves, as the carpet may have staples or tacks that can cause injury.
Step 2: Remove the Tack Strips and Staples
Next, remove the tack strips and any staples or nails that were used to secure the carpet padding to the floor. Use a pry bar and hammer to gently (and slowly!) remove the tack strips from the perimeter of the room. Then use a scraper to remove any remaining adhesive or debris from the subfloor.
Step 3: Install the Underlayment
Once the subfloor is clean and smooth, it's time to install the underlayment. When you purchase your flooring, you will notice this near the hard wood options--it is often a dark blue color, and it has varying thicknesses for you to choose from! Be sure to choose a thickness that will work with the height of your baseboards.
The underlayment will provide a smooth, stable surface for your hardwood floors. Roll out the underlayment and cut it to fit the room, leaving an extra inch or two around the edges to be trimmed later.
Step 4: Lay the Hardwood Flooring
Now is the fun part--it's time to lay the hardwood flooring! Start in a corner of the room and lay the first row of boards, leaving a gap of 1/2 inch between the board and the wall to allow for expansion. Use a nail gun to secure the boards to the subfloor, placing nails every six to eight inches along each board. Continue laying boards in rows, staggering the end joints by at least six inches.
Step 5: Finish the Floor
Once the flooring is in place, it's time to finish the floor. This involves sanding the boards to remove any rough spots or imperfections, and then applying a stain and sealer to protect the wood and give it a finished look. You can do this step yourself, or hire a professional to ensure a high-quality finish.
If you choose to complete this project on your own, by following these five steps, you can create a beautiful and durable new look for your home. Remember to take your time, work carefully, and enjoy the process of transforming your home.
If this sounds daunting, don't worry! Alamo Handyman is here to help. Simply click the "Request Service" button in the top right hand corner of this page, and we will give you a FREE, no-obligation quote for replacing your home's carpet with hardwood floors. We know this is a major home improvement project, so we're here to help you every step of them way!