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How Long Does It Take to Install Hardwood Floors?

Guide For Homeowners

By Christine JosephPublished about a year ago 3 min read
How Long Does It Take to Install Hardwood Floors?
Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

Refinishing er is another famous home improvement technique that will provide the home elegance, value, and sturdiness. However, one of the most common questions homeowners have is: how long does it take to install hardwood flooring? That is why it can cost about $4- $10 per square foot depending on the type of hardwood you choose as well as size of the space, the quality of subfloor and whether the job is done by professionals or one does it by themselves. In this guide to the installation of hardwood floors, this article will discuss the most important aspects which include;

Time It Takes To Install Hardwood Floors On Average

1. Room Size & Layout:

It will take the professionals 1 to 3 days to complete the flooring of a room measuring at a standard size of 200 to 300 sq. ft using hardwood floors. In your case if you have a larger area or a more complicated layout the installation could probably take 4-5 days or more. The time also Matters with multiple rooms or elaborate pattern to install.

2. Subfloor Preparation:

Good subfloor preparation is vital for a good flooring job and a good product to last for a long time. In case the subfloor is irregular or needs fixing this will take some more time anywhere from an hour and a day depending on the subfloor state. This is a very important process, which will guarantee durability of the installed hardwood floors.

3. Type of Hardwood:

Installation time also depends on the type of hardwood you are going to use in the flooring process. Schedule wise, installing a solid hardwood usually takes a little longer than engineered hardwood as it usually has to be nailed or stapled to the subfloor-an added process. A second type is engineered hardwood and it can be either glued or clicked which are faster.

4. Installation Method:

There are a variety of ways of laying down hardwood floors, and each of these affects this schedule. Here are the most common methods:

Nail-Down Installation: It is a typical process used with solid hardwood and it might take longer than the other, 1-2 days for small rooms, 3-4 days for large rooms.

Glue-Down Installation: While most suitable for engineered hardwoods, glue-down method takes lesser time is generally conducted in 1-2 days depending on the size of the house.

Floating Floor Installation: The fastest, floating floors: click-lock or snap-together – a skilled DIYer could do an average room size in a day.

5. Acclimation Time:

Hardwood floors require prior moisture content adjustment to the room’s temperate and relative humidity before they are installed. This can take between 48 and 72 hours for the wood’s added thickness not to expand or contract after it has been installed and this may need further waiting time.

Conditions That May Influence Time to Install

Old Flooring Removal: If there is floor already in place it has to be stripped before the new floor can be installed and this will take an additional few hours on the schedule. Stripping of carpet, tile, or laminate requires one or many days depending on the size of the floor and the issue level.

Complexity of the Design: Additional time may be taken to replicate patterns on the floor, borders, change of floor from one section to the other, or from one room to the other.

Professional vs. DIY Installation: Amateurs take longer to install solar systems than professional installers do due to efficiency, tools, and a workforce. Home improvement projects generally will take more time than hiring a professional, especially for a beginner installing hardwood floors. Most DIY installations will take a few days to a week.

Conclusion: How Long Does It Take?

Generally, it will take 1 to 5 days to install hardwood floors depending on the mentioned factors above. This time is likely to take a long time when the spaces are large, the layout is distorted, or when there is other preparation that needs to be done. In either case, it is necessary to make the appropriate decisions concerning the amount of time designated for installation and the circumstances that might lead to a delay of the work’s completion.

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About the Creator

Christine Joseph

I'm Content Marketer at Genix Flooring, specializing in creating engaging, informative content. Visit our Store for best matched flooring for your home at: https://www.genixflooring.com/

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