Okay, let’s get started with my DIY project!

So, I decided to tackle this project – installing some wooden flooring with a cushioned backing. I’d been wanting to revamp my living room for ages, and this seemed like a good way to do it, my old carpet was, well, ancient.

Prepping the Space

First things first, I cleared out the entire room. This involved moving all the furniture, taking down the curtains, and basically getting everything out of the way. The room was empty like a blank canvas ready for creation.

Then, I removed the old carpeting. Let me tell you, that was a workout! Pulling up that ancient carpet and the padding underneath, rolling it up, and getting it out of the house. I even found some old toys hidden underneath – bonus!

The Underlayment Dance

Next up, I rolled out this hevea assembly. It’s like a soft, bouncy layer that goes under the wood. It’s supposed to make the floor feel softer and help with soundproofing. I cut it to size with a utility knife, making sure it covered the entire floor, and taped the seams together. It felt like wrapping a giant present.

Clicking into Place

Now for the main event – the wooden flooring! The planks I chose had this “click-lock” system. I guess I wanted something that looked good and didn’t require a PhD to install.

I started in one corner, laying down the first plank. Then, I took the second plank, angled it into the groove of the first, and “clicked” it into place. It was surprisingly satisfying to hear that click! I repeated this process, row by row, working my way across the room. I used rubber hammer beat planks to make them joint tightly.

I used a saw to cut the planks to fit around doorways and any weird corners. Measurements were key here – measure twice, cut once, as they say.

The Finishing Touches

Once all the planks were down, I installed the baseboards around the edges of the room. This covered up the expansion gap I’d left (important for the wood to expand and contract with temperature changes). I nailed them into the wall, filled the nail holes with wood filler, and then gave them a quick coat of paint.

The Big Reveal

Finally, I moved all the furniture back in, put the curtains back up, and stood back to admire my handiwork. It looked like a completely different room! The cushions dancing hevea assembly made it feel so much softer underfoot, and the wooden flooring had really brightened up the space.

The whole process took me longer than one day, but it was totally worth it. I’m pretty proud of myself for tackling this project, and I saved a chunk of change by doing it myself, even though the process was really exhausting, but in the end it was very rewarding, and that’s enough.