Hardwood Flooring Installation

Tips | Q & A | Pre-Installation Tips

WOOD FLOOR INSTALLATION TIPS

Why you should have a professional install your new hardwood floor
• Moisture is wood flooring’s public enemy number one. Use a wood moisture meter or some sort of metering device to check for moisture in concrete or the sub-floor.
• There are four basic criteria for a successful installation—a sub-floor that’s clean, flat, dry and structurally sound.
• Try to bring the flooring into your space approximately a week in advance to let the wood acclimate to its environment.
• Most installers begin with the focal point of the room, such as a fireplace, when determining where to begin an installation.
• Before laying the first board, snap a chalk line to use as a reference point.
• Aligning the first row of boards with the chalk line assures that all subsequent rows will be straight.
• Boards are often delivered in random lengths. Before securing the remaining boards to the sub-floor, test fit the boards in sections. Test fitting the boards allows you to make sure that all of the points are staggered. As a rule of thumb, joints should be at least 12 inches apart.
• Because wood expands and contracts, it’s a good idea to install a humidifier, mostly for the winter months when the temperature and humidity drops and the furnace is running.

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THE TOP WOOD INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

Once you know what type of wood flooring you want, the next consideration is installation. Here are our top frequently asked questions:

1. Which installation method should I choose?

There are three ways to install a wood floor — glue down, nail down or floating. If the subfloor is a concrete slab, only glue down or floating can be considered. However, if the subfloor is wood, all three methods will work.

2. Should solid hardwood floors only be installed above grade?

Yes, because solid hardwood floors are more susceptible to moisture than engineered wood floors they should only be installed above grade over approved wooden subfloors and must be nailed down. The cross-ply construction of engineered wood floors reduces the expansion and contraction of the planks and allows them to be installed anywhere in the home.

3. Can I install my wood floor over any subfloor?

Hardwood flooring can be installed over many types of subfloor. Three-quarter-inch solid hardwood can only be installed over plywood or OSB substrates, while engineered flooring can be installed over concrete or plywood. Floating floors are the most versatile and can be installed over most subfloors.

4. Can I install 3/4-inch solid wood flooring over concrete?

Yes, 3/4-inch wood flooring can be installed over concrete if a wood subfloor is present.

5. Will my floating floor actually move?

Floating floors do expand and contract as a unit, so some movement is to be expected. It is recommended that you leave space around the perimeter of the floor to accommodate this expansion.

6. What humidity content in the subfloor can a wood floor tolerate?

Wood subfloors should not exceed 12 percent.

7. Do all wood floors need to acclimatize?

Classic solid 3/4-inch flooring needs to acclimatize to the average yearly local humidity condition where it will be installed for 24 hours. Engineered flooring does not need to acclimatize and can remain in their sealed boxes until installation.

8. How long will it take to install my wood floor?

Installation crews can probably install around 300 square feet of pre-finished nail-down or glue-down flooring per day.

9. Can I install wood flooring over radiant heat?

Any species of engineered flooring with the exception of Brazilian cherry (jatoba) can be installed over radiant heat. Classic ¾-inch flooring should not be installed over radiant heating.

10. Can I install wood flooring in a kitchen?

Yes, wood flooring can be installed in a kitchen and perform well provided that some simple preventative measures be taken. For example, all chair legs should have felt flooring protectors, which should be checked and replaced periodically, and the working area of the kitchen — front of stove, sink or island — should have a small area rug, since it will get a lot of use. Also, be sure to wipe up spills when they occur, sweep the floor as needed, and use walk off mats near doors to catch dirt and debris.

11. Can I install the wood floors myself?

With the right tools and by following the installation guidelines you can install a wood floor, but there are some tricky aspects to it, and unless you’re experienced and accustomed to working with your hands, you may be better off seeking professional assistance. (See installation tips.)

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BEFORE THE BIG DAY

In order to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day, here is a pre-installation checklist:

• Verification of the installation date.
• Ensuring the removal of all breakables from the room.
• Determining who will remove furniture, appliances and the sub-floor, if needed.
• Arranging for the disconnection of gas appliances and icemakers.
• Determining if any change to the height of the floor requires adjustments to doors in order for them to close properly.
• Ensuring the removal of items in storage areas and closets where the floor is to be resurfaced.
• Make certain drapes, wall hangings and pictures are removed from walls.
• Verify that your in-home temperature is appropriate for installation.