Of all the most common types of flooring in modern homes, perhaps none is more iconic than hardwood. Hardwood flooring can bring warmth, timeless appeal, and long-term value to any home. However, if you are thinking about installing new floors in your home, it can be incredibly helpful to know more about what the hardwood floor installation process looks like.
At My Dad’s Flooring, we’ve been installing hardwood flooring in homes all over Chester County for decades, and we know exactly what it takes to install hardwood properly. So, if you want to know more about what the process for installing hardwood floors involves, our guide is here to help.
What Happens Before the Hardwood Floor Installation Process Begins?
Measuring the Space
Before the process of installing hardwood floors can truly begin, there’s a lot of prep work to do.
This usually starts with taking precise measurements of the area where the installation will take place. We need to know the exact dimensions before we can start planning cuts and corners, and this step makes sure that we have all the information we need to do exactly that.
Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring
Before installation services can begin, you’ll also need to decide which type of hardwood flooring you want to install.
With a wide variety of different options concerning wood species, plank width, stain color, and finish type, the possibilities are almost endless. You may even want to consider whether you want a solid hardwood or prefer an engineered option.
Regardless of the vision you have for your home, our team is always here to walk you through all of the best options until you find the perfect one for you.
Preparing the Subfloor
Subfloor preparation is one of the most important parts of the installation process. This usually involves us removing the existing flooring and then cleaning and inspecting the subfloor to make sure that everything is even and free of moisture or structural issues.
A level and stable subfloor is essential for the overall success and longevity of the final product, so if we find any problems, we will need to address them before moving on.
Acclimating the Hardwood
Hardwood naturally expands and contracts as humidity levels and temperatures change. For this reason, it’s also crucial to give the hardwood enough time to acclimate to the climate inside your home before installation.
We usually deliver hardwood to homes a few days before installation, as this allows the wood plenty of time to adjust to indoor conditions to prevent any unnecessary floorboard movement once installation is complete.
What is the Process for Installing Hardwood Floors?
Planning the Layout
After all of those first steps, there is still one more piece of prep work to do before installation can begin, and that’s planning the layout. Before we start laying planks down, we need to know which direction the boards should be facing, and this depends heavily on the shape of the room, the lighting, and how people tend to move throughout your home.
In most cases, the planks will run parallel to the longest wall in the room, but that’s not all that needs to be planned out. We also need to properly stagger the seams of each board and account for any custom designs or patterns that you want to make with the hardwood.
Installing the First Rows
The first few rows of hardwood are extremely important because they guide the alignment for the rest of the room. We carefully place every board, certifying that each row is completely straight, preventing any preventable misalignment issues in the process.
Securing the Hardwood Planks
Different hardwood products and subfloors require different installation methods. Most solid hardwood floors work perfectly with nails or staples, but some engineered hardwood options are better off with glue or can even be installed as a floating floor.
Still, no matter what combination of the two you have, we make sure that every plank is installed with meticulous precision and care.
Cutting Around Obstacles
Vents, doorways, cabinets, and corners all complicate the process and usually require precision cuts to properly fit the hardwood planks into place.
This can slow things down by quite a bit, especially in more uniquely shaped rooms, but our installers will carefully measure and trim every board so they fit neatly around all these areas.
What Happens After the Hardwood Is Installed?
Sanding and Finishing
Though there are plenty of prefinished hardwood options out there, if you choose something unfinished, we’ll need to do that ourselves. Depending on what look you’re trying to achieve, this usually includes sanding, staining, and applying a protective finish to prevent unnecessary damage.
Installing Trim and Transitions
Once the hardwood flooring installation process is complete, it’s time to do the finishing touches. From trim pieces to transition strips, we’ll make sure that we install all of these essential finishing touches with the thorough attention to detail you deserve.
How Long Does Hardwood Floor Installation Take?
Timelines for installing hardwood flooring can vary widely depending on a number of different factors.
The size and shape of the room, condition of the subfloor, and finishing requirements can all have a big effect on how long the installation will take, but we’ll make sure that you’re up to date with accurate estimates and the latest timeline information through every step of the process.
Contact My Dad’s Flooring Today
Are you thinking about installing new hardwood floors in your home? Give us a call at (610) 935-2226.
Our team of friendly flooring experts is always here to answer questions and will happily walk you through all the best options and what to expect from the hardwood floor installation process. We even offer free estimates and samples so that you have all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your home.
Don’t push off your next hardwood floor installation any longer. Contact My Dad’s Flooring and take the first step toward getting your new dream hardwood floors today.