BEFORE installation hardwood flooring please consider the following:

  • The job site is completely enclosed with outside windows, doors & thresholds in place.
  • Gutters & downspouts are properly placed to drain water away from the structure.
  • Soil surrounding structure is graded away from site.
  • Crawl space has moisture barrier covering entire ground area and is dry.
  • Air conditioning, heating & ventilation systems are operable and set between 65 & 75 degrees.
  • Relative humidity is between 40 & 60 percent.
  • All wet trades (drywall, paint, ceramic tile, etc) have completed their work.
  • Builder has completed power washing in basement and is completely dry.
  • Subfloor is smooth, clean, sound, dry and flat within 3/16" in a 10' span.
  • Wood has acclimated for at least 72 hours in areas to be installed.
  • Moisture content of wood should not exceed 13%.
  • Concrete floor has been installed for a minimum of 60 days.
  • Moisture content in concrete should not exceed 4.5 using a Tramex concrete moisture meter.
  • Concrete does not exceed 3 pounds of moisture per 1,000 utilizing a Calcium Chloride test.
  • You have the correct trowel in glue down installations based on manufacturers recommendations.
  • You have the manufacturers' recommended adhesive.

DURING installation:

  • Open and work out of 3 or more boxes of wood.
  • Continue to monitor the moisture content of the wood and subfloor.
  • The floor is running square to the chalk line.
  • Nailing patterns are per manufacturers' recommendations.
  • The floor is running perpendicular to the floor joist.
  • Proper expansion is left around all vertical objects.
  • Continue to keep floor and subfloor free of debris.
  • Remove any excess adhesive on the wood floor as you go.
  • Stay off glued wood floor to avoid movement.

AFTER installation:

  • Sweep entire floor and clean up all wood pieces.
  • Install all trim pieces.
  • Fill all nail holes and touch up any damaged areas.
  • Roll glued down floor with 100lb roller.
  • Remember to keep temperature between 65 and 75 degrees year around.
  • Remember to keep relative humidity between 40% - 60% to avoid gapping in wood year round.
  • Read all care and maintenance information from retailer.