General Rules and Wood Floor Installation Advice To give you a basic background on wood floor installation, we’ve put together a point-form list of easy-to-read and easy-to-follow general guidelines:
- Know your home’s humidity level and seasonal variations before you install your floor. If needed, allow your floor planks to acclimatize to your home for a few days before you install—as wood expands and contracts with humidity, which can cause planks to ‘settle’ poorly after installation. As a guide, wood floor is generally dried to 40% humidity, so if your home is far above or below 40% humidity you will need acclimatization time. Your planks should be within 2% humidity of the home before installation. Note that humidity in a basement is generally different than the upper floors.
- Planks should ideally be installed at right angles to your floor joists.
- Pay close attention to your subfloor, ensuring it is perfectly flat and has no loose or squeaky boards (squeaks will drive you crazy for years to come).
- When laying planks, operate out of a couple different boxes at a time, as colour can be slightly different from box-to-box and you want to blend your colour variations across the floor.
- Use plenty of nails. The standard rule of thumb is a nail every 8” to 10”–and every board should have a LEAST 2 nails. Notice we said at least.
- Have all your tools ready before you begin, including: a tape measure, level, broom, chalk line, nails, hammer, saw, nail gun, mallet, putty and stain.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should Toronto homeowners know about wood floor installation advice?
When considering wood floor installation advice, evaluate durability, maintenance requirements, and cost per square foot for your specific needs. Tony’s Flooring Centre at 268 Royal York Rd offers expert advice and free estimates to help you make the right choice for your Toronto home.
How long does flooring installation take?
Timeline varies by type: hardwood 2-5 days, LVP 1-3 days, carpet 1-2 days, tile 3-7 days for an average Toronto home. Subfloor repairs and custom cuts can extend timelines. We provide accurate estimates during our free consultation.
Does Tony's Flooring offer free installation estimates?
Yes, we offer free in-home estimates for all flooring installation projects in the Greater Toronto Area. Our team measures your space, discusses options, and provides a detailed quote with no obligation.
Visit Our Etobicoke Flooring Showroom
See and feel the difference quality flooring makes. Tony’s Flooring Centre features a 4,100 sq ft showroom at 268 Royal York Rd, Etobicoke. Call (416) 255-9631 or request a free quote online. Open Tuesday through Saturday.