What Happens During Hardwood Floor Installation
Installing hardwood flooring is a detailed process that requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth, long-lasting result.
Pre-Installation Steps
- Acclimating wood planks to your home's humidity and temperature
- Inspecting and preparing the subfloor surface
- Confirming layout and plank direction for the space
The Installation Process
- Laying planks according to the planned pattern
- Securing boards with nails, staples, or adhesive as appropriate
- Cutting and fitting planks around edges and obstacles
Finishing Touches
- Sanding the installed floor for a smooth, even surface
- Applying stain if a custom color is desired
- Sealing with a protective finish coat
Skipping the acclimation period, where wood adjusts to your home's specific humidity before installation, is one of the most common causes of gapping or buckling that appears months after a project otherwise seemed complete and successful.
Ask your installer how long the acclimation period will take for your specific home and wood type, since this timeline varies quite a bit depending on your region's climate and the moisture content of the wood as delivered.
Keeping the room at a consistent temperature and humidity level for several weeks after installation helps the new floor settle properly, reducing the risk of gaps or movement appearing later on down the road. A humidifier or dehumidifier, used as needed throughout the year, can help maintain the stable conditions hardwood performs best under.