No two flooring projects are exactly alike. Several factors determine how quickly your new hardwood floors can be installed.
The overall size and scope of your project is by far the biggest factor to consider when trying to nail down your timeline. Though a single room can often be completed in a day or two, larger projects that involve multiple rooms in your home will naturally take much longer.
Even the room layout can make a difference here. Open spaces with simple floor plans are generally much easier and faster to complete than those with odd shapes, numerous corners and closets, staircases, and transitions in the way. Every cut and transition requires extra time and precision, so the more cuts your installers have to do, the longer the project will take.
The type of hardwood flooring you select can also influence the installation schedule. Prefinished hardwood arrives with its protective finish already applied at the factory, which allows installers to install the flooring without having to spend extra time sanding and applying finishes on site.
Required preparation is another big variable that plays a role in determining how quickly installation can begin. Removing existing flooring, repairing subfloor damage, and general cleaning and leveling all add extra time, so the better the condition of the subfloor, the shorter the timeline will be.
Every successful hardwood floor installation project starts long before we even start thinking about installing the first plank.
Our process always begins with a quick in-home consultation and measurement. During your consultation, we'll discuss the goals you have for your project and help you choose the ideal hardwood species, color, plank width, and finish to meet them.
Accurate measurements also allow us to calculate the proper amount of material while planning transitions, borders, and installation patterns, all of which helps minimize delays once installation day arrives.
One of the most important preparation steps is allowing the hardwood flooring to acclimate to your home's environment. Wood naturally expands and contracts as humidity levels and the temperature change, so the flooring will need time to adjust before we can start installation.
Depending on the product and the conditions inside your home, this acclimation step can take anywhere from a day or two to an entire week.
Once we finish all of the necessary preparations, it's time for the actual installation process to begin.
Installation day usually begins with preparing the work area. This includes everything from moving furniture out of the way to removing the existing flooring and inspecting the subfloor. If we need to spend extra time preparing the subfloor or placing underlayment or a moisture barrier, we’ll also do this now, but it may extend the preparation time from one day to two.
After preparation is complete, our installers will begin placing the hardwood planks one row at a time.
We align, secure, and fit each board carefully to create a consistent appearance throughout the entire room. We may also need to make precise cuts around walls, vents, doorways, cabinets, and other fixed features.
This part of the process can vary drastically depending on how much flooring we are installing and how many precise cuts we need to make. In most cases, you should expect this installation step to take anywhere from 1 to 3 days for prefinished woods and up to a week for unfinished products that we need to sand and apply finish to.
However, no matter what type of wood you want to install in your home, we’ll keep you informed with the most up-to-date timeline information we have through every step of the project.
After we finish installing your flooring, all that will be left is to perform the finishing touches.
This usually includes installing any necessary transition pieces and baseboards, and then conducting a thorough cleanup of the work area so that you can get back to enjoying your home and your new flooring as soon as we leave.
Last, we’ll perform the final walkthrough, provide you with floor care and maintenance recommendations, and then get out of your way.
Are you thinking about starting a new hardwood floor installation project? Give us a call at (610) 385-3833.
Our team of local flooring experts is always here to answer questions and will happily walk you through all the best hardwood flooring options for your home. We’ll even help you schedule a free in-home measurement, consultation, and estimate so that you have all the information you need to move your flooring installation forward with confidence.
Don’t push off getting your new, beautiful hardwood floors any longer. Contact My Dad’s Flooring America and start transforming your home today.
