Congratulations! After carefully weighing your options, asking questions and just plain shopping smart, you’ve chosen hardwood as the flooring solution for the way you live. You’re going to love it!

But don’t forget the next important step: preparing for installation. It will make the entire process easier, quicker and hopefully eliminate any “surprises.” For example, it is not recommended that hardwood be installed in full bathrooms.

Being prepared will be a lot less stressful on you -- and your home.

So check out the information below, be prepared and anticipate, then look forward with confidence to the day your new hardwood floor arrives.

Our best hardwood advice is about “hard” and “would.”

Installing this type of floor is hard, exacting -- detailed. Why would you have anyone but a seasoned, dedicated professional install it?

That way you can be assured of a beautiful, efficient and correct installation.

However, while installing hardwood flooring is a skill that is developed through years of experience, your understanding of the basics of installation will increase your knowledge of the process and enhance your confidence in the professionals working in your home. So let’s cover some of the basics.

There are four methods of installing hardwood flooring.

1. Nail Down: a solid choice. This method is typically used with the 3/4" solid products, however there are adapters available for thinner flooring sizes as well.

2" nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to attach the flooring to the subfloor. Please be aware that Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed on wooden subfloors on grade or above grade.

2. Staple Down: the news here is pneumatic. With this method 1-1/2 to 2 inch staples are used versus nailing cleats to attach the wood flooring to the subfloor.

A pneumatic gun is used to drive the staple into the wood flooring and subfloor. Not all wood flooring manufacturers recommend the same staple gun so using professional installers will insure that the right staple gun and right size staples are utilized.

3. Glue Down: effective but sticky business. The recommended mastic or adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the subfloor.

You should know that engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. Solid strip floors and plank floors can only be nailed or stapled.

There are many types of adhesives on the market. Your installers will use the manufacturers recommended adhesive when installing your flooring. Not using the manufacturers recommended adhesive and trowel size could void any warranties you may have.

4. Floating: between and clean. With the floating installation method the floor is not mechanically fastened to any part of the subfloor.

A thin pad is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. Then a recommended wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together.

The padding has its advantages: it protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission, is softer under foot, and provides for some additional "R" value.

Some engineered floors and all Longstrip floors can be floated. This is a very fast, easy and clean method of installing your floor.

Acclimation. Get used to it.

All hardwood products need to be acclimated to the new environment for at least four or five days prior to installation. The installers will open all the boxes to achieve this. Any loose product will be divided into smaller lots and stored in the designated room.

What to do before the day of installation

Begin with your furniture.

Remove all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas where the installation will take place. Some installers will move your furniture, but there may be an additional charge for doing so.

Before moving, you’ll also need to empty the contents of china cabinets, closets and the like.

Be aware that the area of installation must be climate controlled (heated or air conditioned). Indoor humidity should be maintained between 45-65%.

Out with the old – remove your present floor covering.

Please consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. This can be a time consuming task. We recommend that you check with your retailer about the cost and the method of disposal.

If you prefer to remove your present floor covering, do it at least one day prior to arrival of your hardwood product to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing old carpet, please leave tackless in place and pull the staples out of the floor from the original pad.

Don’t be left out on a limb about your trim.

You should know that, in many cases, moldings and baseboards need to be removed for hardwood installation. Your installer may do this but at an additional charge and they will probably not be responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood.

Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation is complete. If necessary, this is your responsibility.

There’s no substitute for subflooring.

Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the hardwood, or a new subfloor may be required. We suggest you discuss this with your retailer and, if subfloor work is necessary, that it be done by qualified professionals. It is important that the subfloor be as clean and level as possible.

Do this to insure an open door policy.

When hardwood is installed, there’s always the possibility that the doors, especially closet doors, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new hardwood and swing free.

Some installers will remove doors in order to install the hardwood and re-hang them if possible. They probably won’t shave or cut down doors to insure clearance. You should check with your retailer/installer as to their policy and the cost. You may need to arrange for a qualified carpenter to provide this service after the installation of your new hardwood floor.

Check-up on the clean-up.

Installing new hardwood will produce waste.

Usually these materials are collected by your installer and disposed of for a fee. Check with your retailer before the day of installation so you’re clear about the clean up, if there are added costs to do so, and ask about the plan for hardwood remnants.

What to do during installation

Install yourself at home on installation day.

Be prepared to be at home the day of installation and be available in case the installation crew has questions. Your presence will insure that the correct hardwood is installed in the right areas. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances of each job, some installers may not be able to give you an exact time of arrival. We suggest you be flexible and keep in touch with your retailer/installer.

Your safety, first and last.

Your installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.

The walk-thru is your final step.

We recommend that, prior to the completion of the installation, you walk thru the job with the chief installer. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and be clear on any final details.

What to do after installation

Give yourself breathing room.

If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation.

Prepare today for tomorrow.

When it comes to your hardwood installation, we want you to be as well prepared as possible. It will make installation day easier on you and your home and provide you with an enjoyable floor covering experience for years to come.