Hardwood Installation

There is nothing like a Hardwood Floor to add beauty and value to your home for years to come. Just Remnants’ hardwood typically comes from sustainable sources and when properly installed will last a lifetime.

Installing a hardwood floor is hard, exacting and detailed work. Although we recommend that professionals do the job, understanding the basics of installation will enhance your confidence in the licensed and bonded installers working in your home.

Four Installation Techniques

Nail Down: This installation is typically used with three-quarter inch solid products. Two-inch nailing cleats are used with a nailer and mallet to attach the flooring to the sub floor.

Staple Down: This installation utilizes one and one-half inch to two-inch staples which are used to attach the wood flooring to the subfloor. A pneumatic gun drives the staples into the flooring and subfloor. Depending on the product, solid or engineered wood products can be stapled down.

Glue Down: Here the installation uses an adhesive to adhere the flooring to the subfloor. Engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. Solid strip floors and plank floors can only be nailed or stapled.

Floating: As the name implies a floating installation does not fasten the hardwood to the subfloor, but rather the floor “floats” over the subfloor. Each plank is attached together and floated over the subfloor. A thin pad, which protects against moisture, reduces sound transmission and softens the floor, is commonly placed between the subfloor and the hardwood. Most Engineered floors can be floated.

A Smooth Installation

Before: In advance of installation day please remove all furniture and other objects from the area of installation. Consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. If you prefer to remove your present floor covering yourself, do it at least one day prior to installation.

Carpet Removal: If needed, please remove the tack strips and pull the staples out of the floor from the original carpet pad. Moldings and baseboards may need to be removed prior to installation. Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation is complete. This is your responsibility.

Subfloor Preparation: The quality of your subfloor will influence the quality of your installation; subfloor leveling or a new subfloor may be necessary for the installation of your new hardwood. We will inspect your subfloor and discuss what work, if any, is necessary. If subfloor work is necessary, qualified professionals should do it.

Doors: When hardwood is installed, some doors may not clear the new floor and swing freely. The installers will remove doors to install the hardwood and re-hang them if adequate clearance is present after installation. The installers will not shave or cut the doors if sufficient clearance is not present after installation. We can refer you to a carpenter to cut or shave your doors.

Your professional Just Remnants sales associate will be happy to help you plan the entire job. Your final quote price will include all known details so there are no surprises.

Your Safety: On installation day plan to have a family member or friend at home and available. Please keep children and pets out of the work area. Because it is difficult to estimate the length of each job, traffic conditions and other delays, we will give you a time window for our arrival. We’ll always respect your valuable time and keep you informed as to our progress.

After: We recommend that you provide good ventilation for 72 hours after your new hardwood floor is installed.