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Are you going to learn how to install hardwood flooring? First thing's first: You need to choose the flooring. From traditional hardwood flooring to flooring that just snaps together, you have dozens if not hundreds of different options.

The nice thing about laminates and snap-together hardwood flooring is that they come with installation instructions. If you want to install traditional hardwood flooring, you'll want to follow these steps.

You need to put down the flooring base first. The subfloor needs to be level, dry, and clean. Remove the baseboards before you begin.

Whether you're picking up your new flooring at a home improvement center or having it delivered by a flooring company, time its arrival so that it will be stacked inside the house for a few days. Wood naturally expands and contracts in different temperatures and humidity levels, and if you don't allow it to adjust to your home, it will not fit properly.

While you're figuring out how to install hardwood flooring, determine which direction the floor joists/supports run. Once you do that, mark the position at the base of the walls so you have a handy reference. Now you'll need to layer the top of the subfloor with 15-pound asphalt felt.

This will minimize creaks and squeaks, and it also provides protection against moisture. This is especially important if you're installing the hardwoods in a kitchen or bathroom.

Mark the centerline of your room to indicate the position for the first board. When installing, leave a 1/2-inch gap at the walls.

Make sure to use a nail set to finish each nail you put in by hand, so the hammer doesn't leave indentations. The first three boards or so should be nailed in by hand, even if you're using a pneumatic flooring nailer. This will keep them from shifting.

Learning how to install hardwood flooring isn't all that difficult. However, it takes time and requires precision.