Do you want to know how long it takes for complete installation of new hardwood floors? There is no standard answer but usually, it takes anywhere from 7 to 10 days for complete installation of hardwood floor after arrival of hardwood at your home. Some of the factors that affect the installation time include the type of hardwood you have chosen and project size (number of rooms).
The actual floor installation takes around 1 to 3 days, and around 7 days are needed for hardwood acclimation. You need to know this because installation of new hardwood floors in your home is going to affect your daily life. Here is a quick breakdown of the whole installation process to give you an overview of the process. The content below also discusses factors that can affect the overall time of installation.
Days 1 to 7
Time for Hardwood Acclimation
Acclamation of hardwood flooring to local environment is important to avoid any problems in the future. Acclimation is the process of giving time to the hardwood to match its internal moisture content with the environment where it is going to be installed.
The Process
The hardwood floor boxes are brought into your home and opened. Any plastic wrap is removed and the planks are laid down to expose them to the air and humidity in the environment. Ideally, the boxes should be laid down at least a foot apart on the ground. If you are short of space, boxes can be laid in a crisscross manner on top of other boxes. This process is extremely important. In case the hardwood floor installation is done without this process, it could lead to some serious problems in the near future.
In case the hardwood is allowed to remain dry as compared to rest of the home, the planks will start absorbing moisture from the air and the sub floor which will cause them to expand. It will result in bulging and cupping of the wood. In case the planks are installed when they are too wet as compared to the immediate environment, they will begin to lose moisture and dry out which will cause shrinkage and the planks will start pulling away from each other. It isn’t something you want.
Experts recommend a minimum of 5 days of acclimation before installation of hardwood floor. Ideally, it should be given 7 to 10 days. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises and save time, make sure the old flooring is removed and the sub floor is properly inspected and vacuumed. If the sub floor requires replacement or repairs, this is the time to do that.
What leads to shorter acclimation time?
The actual time period for acclimation will depend on the type of hardwood you have chosen. If you have chosen engineered wood, it is much more stable and there is little room for shrinkage or expansion. Also, the seller might have started the process of acclimation in their warehouse which means you will need shorter period for acclimation in your home.
When does it take longer?
In some cases, it might take more than 2 weeks for solid hardwood flooring to properly acclimate to the local environment. The time will depend on your installer and the product you have chosen.
Days 8 to 10
Installation of Hardwood Flooring
Typically, installation of hardwood floor takes anywhere from 1 to 3 days. The average job size ranges from 1000 to 5000 square feet. A two-person team of installers is typically able to complete 750 to 1000 square feet of flooring each day.
Shorter Installation Time
If the job size is up to less than 1000 to 1500 square feet, the installation might take less time. Also, installation will take less time in case the job site is free of any obstacles and is wide open. In such cases, an experienced team of installers might be able to lay more than 1500 square feet of hardwood flooring in a day.
Longer Installation Time
The installation time depends a lot on the size of the job. Also, obstacles at the job site such as cabinets, fixtures and fireplaces add to the installation time. Sometimes, installers may spend an entire day on staircases. If you want a specific pattern such as a Herringbone or a Parquet, the installation might take 2 to 3 times the usual installation time. In case the sub floor isn’t inspected in advanced and it leads to surprises at the time of installation, it might add 1 to 2 days to the total installation time.
When you are purchasing your hardwood flooring, a flooring consultant will share all this information with you to help you make the right decision. Ultimately, you will have a beautiful and reliable hardwood floor that is built to last.
