Typically, installation of hardwood floor takes anywhere from 1 to 3 days. The average job size ranges from 1000 to 5000 square feet. A two-person team of installers is typically able to complete 750 to 1000 square feet of flooring each day.
The Hardwood Floor Installation Process
On average, a two-person crew can lay 800 to 1,000 square feet of flooring per day. Depending on the size of the planks and size of the room, the project can take one to three days to complete. However, you need to account for removal as well as any prep work that may be needed.
Unlike laminate flooring, which fits together in a tongue and groove style, each hardwood plank must be fastened together by traditional nails or pneumatic staplers. In an average sized room, around 400 square feet, a professional can complete the job in 10 to 12 hours.
We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on. Allow 48 hours before setting furniture and returning pets. Carpets and area rugs can be placed after 1 full week.
You want to give the new finish time to harden and cure. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours before you walk on your floors– and 48 hours is even better. Start with socks only and keep pets off the floors for a few days.
For oil-based polyurethane, it can take up to 24-48 hours for the finish to dry and up to 72 hours for the fumes to dissipate completely. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 72 hours after applying an oil-based polyurethane finish.
The best times of year are usually the shoulder seasons for installing custom wood floors. The spring and the fall are the most optimal seasons flooring projects. The main reason is the relative humidity levels are around 35%, which is as good as it gets for any project.
It may not look like the case, but often you might pull away your old carpet to discover the floor is uneven and bumpy. So why is this a problem? You cannot install a hard floor over an uneven subfloor. Doing so could result in creaking noises and movements between the boards.
How often can I refinish my floors? Depending on a floor's thickness and the experience of the flooring professional, a floor can be sanded around 4-6 times in its entire life. Hardwood floors can be refinished every 7-10 years, making the 4-6 refinishes more than enough.
1. Engineered wood flooring or thinner solid wood flooring is better suited to stapling than thicker, harder wood options. 2. Thick engineered and solid wood flooring and species of flooring that are particularly hard are undoubtedly best nailed down.
You don't want anything impeding their direct access to the space or requiring them to weave around through other hallways and rooms. If square footage inside your home is tough to come by, or if you're installing new flooring in multiple rooms, we recommend getting your furniture out of the house.
Installing new hardwood can be just as messy as it can involve several steps including removing or preparing the existing floor and cutting the planks of the hardwood to the proper size. While the saw will usually be set up outside of your house, even that can't prevent some dust from collecting inside.
The floor may be walked on after 24 hours, but remains susceptible to scuffing or marring until completely cured. Furniture can be moved back in carefully after 3 days. Do not replace area rugs until the floor has fully cured – 7 days.
Best Practices for Acclimating Wood Flooring
Acclimation times vary by species and product, but a rule of thumb is to acclimate wood floor products for at least three days. You're trying to reach an equilibrium between the moisture content of the wood materials and the air where the product is being installed.
Hardwood Flooring Increases Home Value: Installing hardwood floors can be an excellent way to increase the value of your home when you're ready to sell. Many buyers are attracted to this type of flooring because they know they won't need to spend extra money on repairs or replacements down the road.
Typically, hardwood floors are laid in a straight pattern. To achieve this look, planks are installed parallel to each other along the length of your room. Classic and stylish, this pattern is tried and true, and works with virtually any design aesthetic. A straight pattern can also lengthen the look of a room.
You may love the look of your hardwood flooring, but it's really not a good idea to put it in your laundry room. Foyer– All manner of things can be tracked in from outside, and the foyer of your home will bear the brunt of all of them. Sand, dirt, mud, water, snow, and more can all damage hardwood.
There is no hard and fast rule about whether flooring should be the same direction throughout the house, as this will depend on your personal preferences and the specific layout of your home.
Hardwood flooring can last a lifetime, but the glossy shine of original wood flooring will fade over the course of its life. You'll notice fading after about 25 years. Hardwood floors, if installed properly, can last 100 years.
Here are the main advantages of laying flooring first: Installation is easier: When you start with your flooring, you usually fit it to the entire kitchen area. This means it doesn't need to be cut around your cabinetry and should be quicker and easier to install. This, in turn, could save you on installation costs.
Dust and hardwood floors don't mix. Particle debris like dust can scratch and damage a floor's protective finish.
As a rule of thumb, the more you wait, the better. 48 hours are generally enough to let the refinished floors dry and then move the furniture back in place. Very important: Never slide or scoot furniture across your hardwood floors! It would be a shame if you just refinished your floors and immediately scratched them.
Even if it's not causing migraines, it's still uncomfortable to live in a house where the floor is being refinished and there are strong odors in the air. If yours is a professional space, it can compromise work quality and work productivity of the employees as well.