Flooring Installation: Experienced Team at your Service
Installing a new hardwood floor adds a touch of elegance to your home. Before embarking on this major project, it’s best to consult a professional. They will guide you through the installation of a hardwood floor or a floating floor.
Why choose a hardwood floor?
Hardwood flooring represents a major investment that should be chosen carefully. The ultimate noble material, wood is an exceptional choice for common areas of the residence as well as for bedrooms. At L’Artisan du Plancher, you will find an incomparable selection of high-quality flooring at the best price.
Benefits of Hardwood Floor Installation
Oak, maple, birch, or walnut hardwood comes in several shades that complement all decorative styles. Furthermore, it is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain.
A witness to daily life and the passage of generations, the wear of the flooring adds to the charm of the home. However, it is sometimes necessary and wise to repair the floor. Thus, it is entirely possible to sand and completely refurbish an overly worn floor. L’Artisan du Plancher is also renowned for its expertise in floor sanding and finishing.
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Pre-installation Steps for your Hardwood Floor
Looking to install your hardwood floor? L’Artisan du Plancher shows you the steps to follow. For more information, consult our floor installation guide.
1. Check the Subfloor
Before proceeding with your hardwood floor installation, you must first ensure that the subfloor is wood. Indeed, wood flooring cannot be laid directly on cement or concrete.
2. Install the Flooring as a Final Step
In the case of a building or house under construction, hardwood floor installation should be done as the final step of the work. This means that doors and windows should be installed and foundations should have been dry for at least two months. Otherwise, the risks of instability during and after your flooring installation would be considerable.
Before laying a hardwood floor or a floating floor, you must ensure that concreting, plumbing, plastering, and painting work is already completed. The house must also have an internal climate control system, and have had it for at least one or two weeks.
This should allow you to preserve good climatic conditions. Thus, you will be assured of performing a hardwood floor installation under controlled conditions. Please note that installing hardwood flooring in the basement is not recommended.
3. Prepare for Installation and Pay Attention to Details
The secret to a successful hardwood floor installation lies in the meticulous preparation of the room and the subfloor. Thus, hardwood should not be installed if there are debris, residues, construction materials, or other waste on your subfloor that could hinder its completion.
4. Control Wood Moisture Content Before Hardwood Floor Installation
Before installing your hardwood floor, you must measure the moisture content within the subfloor so that it is less than 12%. The difference between the floor wood and the subfloor materials should not exceed 4%. The internal ambient moisture content of the hardwood floor should be between 6% and 9%.
For planks wider than 4 inches, the floor installer must ensure that the difference between the subfloor and the hardwood floor does not exceed 2% moisture.
*When installing a hardwood floor, you must first select the wood planks you wish to use according to your criteria and preferences. You must also calculate an additional provision of hardwood planks, which can vary between 3% and 5%. If a plank has visible defects, do not install it.
*Before starting the hardwood floor installation, it is recommended to ensure the stability of the indoor climate. To do this, maintain an approximate temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and humidity between 40% and 55%.
What is the Price of Hardwood and Softwood Floor Installation?
There is a wide variety of hardwood floors. Prices vary depending on the plank size. Additionally, you must budget for subfloor installation, insulating membranes, stair nosings, as well as the purchase of glue and other materials necessary for the work.
| Installation of 1 ¾ inch unfinished or prefinished hardwood or softwood flooring *paper and materials not included | Starting at $3.95 per square foot |
| Installation of 2 ¼ inch unfinished or prefinished hardwood or softwood flooring *paper and materials not included | Starting at $3.45 per square foot |
| Installation of 3 ¼ inch unfinished or prefinished hardwood or softwood flooring *paper and materials not included | Starting at $2.95 per square foot |
| Installation of 4 ¼ inch unfinished or prefinished hardwood or softwood flooring *paper and materials not included | Starting at $2.95 per square foot |
| Installation of glued and nailed hardwood or softwood flooring – supplement | Starting at $1.25 per square foot |
| Installation of parquet flooring *glue and materials not included | Starting at $3.50 per square foot |
| Installation of floating floors *membrane and materials not included | Starting at $2.50 per square foot |
| Installation of double-glued engineered flooring *glue and materials not included | Starting at $4.50 per square foot |
| Installation of single-glued engineered flooring *glue and materials not included | Starting at $3.25 per square foot |
| Installation of herringbone flooring *glue and materials not included | Starting at $10.00 per square foot |
| Installation of plywood *glue and materials not included | Starting at $2.50 per square foot |
| Installation of stair nosings *glue and materials not included | Starting at $15.00 per linear foot |
| Installation of insulating membranes *glue and materials not included | Starting at $0.75 per square foot |
| Screwing down the subfloor | Starting at $1.00 per square foot |
| Cutting the bottom of an MDF door | Starting at $50 per door |
| Cutting the bottom of a solid wood door | Starting at $95 per door |
| Hourly rate not included for work | $95/hour |
How to Lay Your First Row?
Use your starting line to begin your hardwood floor installation, so that the groove side faces the wall. Secure the first wood plank following the starting line you previously established. Install wood or flooring nails diagonally on the tongue side and straight on top of the board. Ensure that the nails will be hidden once the baseboards are installed.
The next plank must be secured following the starting line. Nail the planks by moving towards the side wall until it is reached. The planks must be nailed every six to eight inches with a minimum of two finishing nails per plank.
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How to Establish Your Starting Line Before Beginning Installation?
First, make marks on the walls to determine the location of the floor joists. Start your first row by choosing the longest wall that is also perpendicular to the joists.
At the end of each wall, measure the width of a flooring plank, adding ¾ inch to allow for an expansion joint. To do this, draw a line using a chalk line that will serve as your guide. This line must be parallel to the starting wall and at a distance equivalent to one wood plank plus the expansion joint.
Secure nails at the ends of the marks and stretch a chalk line between them to establish the line for your first row.
*Note: Use spacers or shims to create the expansion gap. The expansion joint will allow the wood to expand and contract according to changing climate conditions.
How to Lay Your First Row?
Use your starting line to begin your hardwood floor installation, so that the groove side faces the wall. Secure the first wood plank following the starting line you previously established. Install wood or flooring nails diagonally on the tongue side and straight on top of the board. Ensure that the nails will be hidden once the baseboards are installed.
The next plank must be secured following the starting line. Nail the planks by moving towards the side wall until it is reached. The planks must be nailed every six to eight inches with a minimum of two finishing nails per plank.
*Note: The first two rows must be hand-nailed. Use a pneumatic nailer to install the floor. Nail no more than two inches from the ends of the plank.
How to Install Subsequent Rows?
Position the first plank of the next row by placing its end against a ¼ inch shim. Drill pilot holes into the tongues, then drive and countersink through the tongues to secure the ends of the planks.
To install the second or third row, there will be enough space between the wall and the plank for you to use an edge flooring nailer. Position the nailer so that it drives a nail into the plank’s tongue, and strike it with a mallet to drive it through the wood.
*Always leave a ¼ inch expansion joint between the end of the plank and the side wall.
How to Lay the Last Row of Your Flooring?
As you approach the far end wall of the room, it is difficult to use the edge nailer. Install the last row and nail it using a pneumatic finish nailer. Begin drilling pilot holes for face-nailing your floor, but do not nail them until you have arranged the planks.
*You can use transition moldings when you need to change the direction of your planks.
L’Artisan Du Plancher: the Hardwood Floor Installation Expert
L’Artisan du Plancher is a master in hardwood and floating floor installation. Our experienced installers offer professional and courteous service centered around customer satisfaction. Thus, they discuss with you at each stage of the project. Furthermore, they work efficiently and cleanly so that your home remains safe throughout the duration of the work.
Our recognized expertise is distinguished by the superior quality of our products and the excellence of our service. Moreover, our quality standards ensure quality work for your satisfaction. For ideal hardwood floor installation, trust the experts at L’Artisan du Plancher!
