If you are planning to replace floorboards in an old house then there are many things you need to consider and look out for. Floorboards are generally made up of either hardwood or subfloor, which is the area under the floor that is damp and warm. Hardwood subflooring is often more expensive than subflooring made from other materials such as carpet.
If you have been thinking about replacing floorboards in an old house but have not yet started the process then you should ensure that you choose a good quality subfloor. For this, you need to go into your local hardware store or home improvement centre where you can get advice from professionals. If you live in an area where there is not enough supply of hardwood floorboards then you may have to look at other sources of supply including plank flooring.
Preparations and Cost
Replacing floorboards in an old house may be difficult if there are no joists to support the weight of the carpet. It is important to make sure that the joist system is not damaged. If the joist system is damaged then it will be difficult to reinstall the flooring as the joist will have to be removed and the new carpet installed before the old floor can be reinstalled. Other options include removing the carpet and using plywood underneath the carpet to support the weight of the carpet.
One of the biggest problems with replacing floorboards is that it can cost more to repair certain areas than it does to build them. If you are replacing floorboards in an old house then you need to check the subflooring for any signs of wear. If you find any wear or damage then you should plan on spending more on these repairs than on the actual subfloor. Another problem with replacing floorboards is that if you use the wrong materials for the task then you could end up spending more money than you would on the actual flooring project. For example, using a thin layer of the carpet instead of a thicker one can increase your repair costs. Also, using tiles rather than wood can save you money because tile floors require less maintenance.
There are other issues with replacing floorboards other than the potential cost increases. For instance, a well-made hardwood floor can add value to a property as well as beauty to it. A well-made hardwood floor can also look better than many vinyl tile products. There are many things to consider when replacing floors, including the factors mentioned above, but there are some things you can do to reduce the total cost of replacing your floors.
How to Save Money
One thing you can do to save money on replacing floorboards is to buy unfinished hardwood. Unfinished hardwood can save you a lot of money because you will not have to finish the boards by adding the stain or finishing compounds. Another advantage of buying unfinished hardwoods is that you can customize the design yourself. If you do not know how to cut planks or if the unfinished ones do not fit correctly you can get professional help. This will allow you to avoid buying unneeded extras and the frustration that comes with cutting your wood.
One of the biggest areas where replacing floorboards can add to the overall cost of a house is in the area of joists. Joists are often the weak spots in a house and are often the reason why some floors start to sag. You should plan on spending a lot of time and effort replacing old joists with new ones. It may be more effective than replacing entire floors because it will take more time and effort. You should also make sure that any joists that are sagging are tight at all times. Remember that sagging floors are a problem that affects more people than you realize.
A final area that can cost you a lot of money when replacing floorboards is the subfloor. A lot of old houses have sub-floors that are not in good shape. This can cause the floorboards to sag. Even though you may want to spend a lot of money on replacing floorboards because they look nice, your subfloor is most likely in good enough condition that replacing the entire floor will cost you far more than you expect. It is always wise to check for signs of damage on the subfloor before starting any project. These signs include buckled joists and holes that have been dug into the subfloor.