The time it takes to install a hardwood floor is dependent on several factors. Every hardwood flooring project is unique, and every home has its own requirements.
Hence, while we can’t provide you with a rock-solid timeline, we can tell you that it takes around seven to ten days to completely install a hardwood floor, on average.
We’ve broken down the installation process to give you more insight:
Hardwood Acclimation
Hardwood acclimation is a vital step, as it can prevent a potential flooring nightmare. The process is designed to adjust the hardwood floor’s moisture content so it matches the environment that it’s supposed to be installed in.
Days 1 to 7
The hardwood floor’s moisture content is adjusted by exposing the planks to the surrounding air and humidity. An appropriate strategy for accomplishing hardwood acclimation is by laying the planks on the ground, a foot apart from each other. You can place another layer on top of the first in a cross pattern.
Dry or Wet Hardwood Acclimation
Hardwood floor installations can only be completed after the wood matches your home’s humidity and moisture content. If the wood is too dry, it will absorb moisture from the air, ground, and subfloor, causing it to expand. If installed as is, it eventually bulges, causing cupping. If the wood is too wet, it will dry out by losing moisture, causing the planks to shrink.
The days required for acclimation depends on the product you’ve selected. Some might not even require a week, but others might need up to ten days to adjust appropriately.
Hardwood Floor Installation
Hardwood floor installation is the next step after the acclimation process. It takes fewer days, but depends on the square feet that need to be covered.
Days 8 to 10
An experienced hardwood floor contractor will take one to three days to install the floor completely. This is mostly a two-person job if it’s 250 to 1000 square feet of flooring each day.
The installation time depends on the total surface area that needs to be covered. If you have an open space, free of any obstacles, it might take less time to do the job. But if you haven’t moved your furniture or are living in the space while the contractors are doing their job, it will take longer to complete the job.
If you’re looking for a reliable hardwood floor installation Seattle company, get in touch with our experts at Five Star Hardwood Floor. We provide an exceptional range of flooring services, including floor refinishing, floor repair, and installation. You can visit our service pages to learn more about what we do!