People choose hardwood flooring over carpeting for many reasons. It could be you like the look, want something easy to maintain and keep clean, or perhaps have allergies and want something that doesn’t hold in dust or dander. We want to make sure you know what to expect during the installation process, no matter your reason.
Now that you have the flooring, how can you prepare for it?
First, decide if your subfloor is in good condition. The goal of preparing your home for the installation is so it will be quick and go smoothly. You can expect noise from the installation and a bit of disruption until the floor is fully installed and ready for traffic.
You likely have many questions about the hardwood floor installation. What exactly can you expect, the best ways to prepare, and generally, what is the process? If you want to know the answers to these questions, keep reading, and we will answer them for you.
Help Keep Dust Out of the Rest of Your Home
There are steps you need to take to control the amount of dust that enters your home. Your wood flooring installers will take precautions when doing your home. Although you may want to take additional steps to help further:
- Place plastic overheating and air ducts and around the doorways of rooms in the rooms that are not having flooring installed.
- Prepare an outdoor cutting area if weather permits.
- Keep your pets out of the work area.
- Your floor installers will take off your doors, although many people choose to do so themselves, so they know they are stored safely.
- Remove baseboards, molding, and door frames. Wood floor installation professionals usually don’t remove these and instead will cut the flooring to fit under them.
- Prepare the subfloor unless previously discussed floor installers don’t spend time working on them. The floor needs to be firm, clean, and check for squeaky areas. You may need to hire professionals if you aren’t qualified or feel competent to do this essential step.
- Clear furniture from where the floors are being installed.
- Remove breakable items from the rooms.
- Remove any items you have stored in the rooms you are having wood flooring installed in.
- Let your wood flooring rest so it can accumulate to the temperature of your home before installation.
What is the Process of Wood Floor Installation?
Most of the time, wood floor installation professionals can install 800-1000 square feet of flooring a day. Of course, this varies depending on the type of wood flooring you chose. Typically, you can expect your floor to be fully installed in 2-4 days. You may be wondering the specific steps of the process; if so, they’re outlined below.
- Consultation – The first step is that your flooring specialist will come out to your home to measure each room where the installation will occur. This is the time to ask any questions and discuss any extras you want the workers to do. Such as taking off the molding, door frames, or the subfloor. If you don’t talk about it at this time, it can delay your wood floor installation and add unexpected charges to your bill.
- Room preparation – Go through the steps at the beginning and do those unless you have agreed that the installers will do some of them. Either way, you will still need to remove as much as possible, including anything on your walls and window coverings.
- Hardwood floor installation – During the installation process, you can expect noise and high foot traffic.
- Once your flooring is installed- it will then be sanded, stained, and finished if you chose to do it.
- Stay off your floor for the next two days – Once your floor is completely installed, you are going to want to allow it to settle and adhere to your floor.
What You Can Expect Once Your Flooring in Installed
Once the 48 hours are over and you’re getting ready to start using the room, there are a few steps you need to remember to keep your floors looking great.
- Put pads on all of any furniture that is going into the room. This includes furniture that you may think is too light to matter.
- Place rugs around your home, especially in entry rooms.
- To avoid discoloration of your wood floor, move your furniture around every once in a while.
- Make sure you use a dust mop to periodically clean your floors and mop with your wood floor specialist recommended solution.
Summary
One thing to remember about wood flooring is they will not all be just alike. You can expect unique variations in the wood. This occurs naturally and will occur no matter the grade of flooring you choose. If you have more questions or would like to set up an appointment, contact one of our highly experts about our hardwood flooring services.
Cameron the Sandman handles all the details regarding your wood floors from wood floor selection, stains, delivery, prep, and installation. We have been installing, restoring and refinishing hardwood floors throughout Michigan homes and businesses for more than 80 years. Providing the highest quality workmanship and commitment to our customers, you are in good hands with our hardwood floor professionals. Call and speak with a flooring specialist today!