471 Hein Drive
Garner, North Carolina 27529
(919) 662-1599
Installing & Finishing Hardwood Floors the American Way
The installation of "site finished" hardwood floors usually is a three week process. The entire process includes the installation, sanding, finishing and installing any trim moldings, i.e. shoe mold, nosing, transition strips, etc.
In the first step of the installation process, the floors are prepped to receive the hardwood flooring. This step includes removal of any carpets, tack strips, vinyl flooring, and underlayment such as particle board or second layer of plywood which is sometimes installed over the plywood subfloor.
Also during this first step of the installation process, a moisture barrier is laid on top of the subfloor. The "raw" flooring is then racked out(flooring laid loosely on the floor) and left to acclimate for 5 to 7 days. This process allows the wood flooring to reach an equilibrium with the moisture in your house which greatly reduces the risk of cupping and cracks in the future.
After the "raw" hardwood flooring has acclimated, it is then nailed into place and left to continue to acclimate for another 5 to 7 days before the sanding process begins.
Depending on the amount of hardwood flooring being installed, these two steps will normally take 1 to 2 days each to complete.
