To have your hardwood floors last and look beautiful for years to come, they must be properly installed. The hints below will help you to retain the richness of hardwood flooring in your home or business. Nothing beats the beauty and reliability of solid hardwood flooring!

• Your home or business must be protected from weather (doors and windows installed). Utilities must be operational to maintain room temperature and humidity levels of approximately 40%. This is necessary for acclimation and stability of the wood to long-term living conditions.

• Evaluate job site and subfloor conditions as the completed floor is only as good as the subfloor. Damp areas on or below subfloor must be dry before installing wood floor. Insure proper drainage around building to prevent water build-up. After new construction allow 2-3 days general drying of the atmosphere of the home after dry walling and painting, etc. Floor should acclimate to a humidity consistent with your normal living conditions inside the home. Plywood subfloor should be dry, securely nailed and flat.

• Store flooring inside room for a minimum of 5-7 days to allow proper acclimation and reduce the amount of natural expansion and contraction of wood products.

• All solid wood expands across the grain. Allow a minimum of 1/2" between solid walls, cabinets, etc. for expansion and to prevent buckling. Base moulding will cover this 1/2" space. Allow 3/4" to 1" for large areas.

• Plank and strip floors should run the long way of the room. Use squares and chalk lines to insure straight and parallel installation.
  • Nailing schedule: 1 1/2" to 4" widths use a 2" serrated edge barbed flooring nail or 2" 15 gauge staple with 1/2" crown 6" - 8" apart. 5" and wider plank flooring we recommend a #7D or #8D screw 6" - 8" apart

• Wood is a natural product, subject to infinite variations. Flooring is manufactured on high speed equipment. Should a piece be doubtful, do not install it! Cut it for the wall line, or put it in a closet where it would be least noticed.

• End with sanding and finishing.