Install Hardwood or Engineered Flooring
New hardwood or engineered wood flooring transforms the character of your living room. Proper acclimation, correct installation method, and attention to board layout create a floor that looks professional and lasts for decades.
Time Required
2-4 days
Cost
$2,000-$8,000
Difficulty
Moderate to Hard
Installation Steps
Acclimate the flooring material
Stack unopened boxes in the room for 3-5 days with the HVAC running at normal temperatures. Wood expands and contracts with humidity changes. Skipping acclimation causes gaps, cupping, or buckling after installation.
Install the moisture barrier and underlayment
Lay a 6-mil poly moisture barrier over the subfloor, overlapping seams by 6 inches. For engineered click-lock, add foam or cork underlayment on top. Nail-down solid hardwood goes directly on the subfloor with rosin paper.
Start along the longest, most visible wall
Run boards parallel to the longest wall for the most visually appealing result. Leave a 1/2-inch expansion gap along all walls (hidden by baseboards). Start with the straightest boards and stagger end joints by at least 6 inches.
Work across the room systematically
For nail-down installation, use a pneumatic floor nailer every 6-8 inches along the tongue. For click-lock engineered, angle boards into the previous row and tap with a tapping block. Cut end pieces with a miter saw for clean edges.
Solid vs. Engineered Comparison
- Solid hardwood ($6-$12/sf installed): Can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Best for above-grade installation. Nail-down only. Lifespan of 75-100 years with proper care.
- Engineered hardwood ($4-$10/sf installed): More dimensionally stable in humidity. Can go over concrete slabs. Click-lock, glue-down, or nail-down. Can be refinished 1-2 times depending on veneer thickness.
- Wide plank (5"+ width): Modern, dramatic look but more susceptible to cupping. Engineered wide plank is more stable than solid wide plank.
- Species: Oak is the most popular and durable. Walnut adds warmth. Maple is very hard. Hickory offers the most character with grain variation.
Pro Tips
- •Order 10% extra: Waste from cuts, defective boards, and future repairs require extra material. Order 10% over your square footage measurement.
- •Mix boards from multiple boxes: Wood color varies between batches. Pull boards from several boxes at once to blend variations naturally across the floor.
- •Install flooring after drywall but before trim: Baseboards and trim cover the expansion gap. If you install trim first, you'll have to notch flooring around it, which looks amateur.