Installing Hardwood Flooring

Method of Installation
The method of installation depends on the type of flooring, where the flooring will be installed, and the type of subfloor.

Solid hardwood floors can be nailed or stapled down. Engineered products can be nailed, glued, or stapled down or floated (depending on the manufacturer's recommendations). Laminated floors feature click installation and are floated.

The building should be closed before installation.
All outside doors and windows must be in place before installation of your floor. All texturing and painting primer coats should be completed. Complete all concrete and plaster work before installation. (When concrete and plaster are drying, many gallons of water are evaporated into the house. The excessive moisture could damage your wood.) The building temperature and humidity levels should be as they will be when the building is lived in. Surface drainage should direct water away from the building. On raised foundations, it is important that the ground is dry and there is proper cross-ventilation underneath the house.

Subfloors
Wood or concrete should be checked for moisture content and should be smooth and level. Wood subfloors should be sound and properly secured to joists or concrete.

Acclimation
Make sure the cartons of wood are delivered and opened in enough time to allow the wood to acclimate to job-site conditions.

Beginning Installation
Under-cut all door casings and door jambs. Begin with the focal point of the room. It's easier to work from left to right. (Determine directions with your back is to the wall where you're starting to lay the flooring.) If you need a strip to fit to the right wall, make sure the cut-off piece is at least 8" long. Start the next course on the left wall with this piece.

Short Pieces
Don't use all the short pieces in one place. Rather, use them at random all over your floor. Use long flooring strips at entrances and long hallways.

Obstructions
Frame obstructions such as hearths using mitered joints at the corners.

Reversing Direction
You may need to reverse the direction of the flooring (to extend flooring into a closet or hallway, for example). Join groove edge to groove edge using a slip tongue. Glue the slip tongue in place and then blind nail that edge. Proceed in the opposite direction, nailing in the conventional manner.

Mixing Floors
Because wood is a natural product, its color may vary from carton to carton or even piece to piece. Work out of 3 to 4 cartons of wood at a time to assure a good color mix.

After Installation
I f you have installed exotic hardwood floors, keep as much off of the floor as possible for the first month. Your floor will darken with exposure to UV rays.

If you have installed an unfinished hardwood floor, finish it 1-3 weeks after installation is completed. Your floor needs time to acclimate, but should not be exposed to construction conditions for longer than necessary.

Please refer to our page on caring for your floor for other tips.

ven offer a Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser.  If you’re serious about buying solid hardwood flooring, there simply is no better choice than The Floor Warehouse.

 

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