Hardwood Installation: Pro or DIY?

Flooring Hardwood Flooring Installation & Care 2

One of the most important decisions to make about purchasing a hardwood floor is to decide whether to install it yourself or to hire a professional. The decision lies in a number of factors including: choosing a site finished or a prefinished floor, the type of hardwood floor, the room itself, and perhaps most importantly, the budget for the project.

Site Finished vs. Prefinished Floors

Prefinished floors are finished by the manufacturer before they are packaged and shipped to the retailer. They are usually the best way for do-it-yourselfers to go because there is no worry about having to sand and finish the floors. The warranty lasts longer on the prefinished floors because they are coated with more finish. The typical warranty on prefinished hardwood floors is 20 years, where the typical site finished floor has a warranty that expires within three to five years. A downside to prefinished floors is that they can only be sanded and refinished a couple of times before they need to be completely redone, due to the way they are made with just a few layers of actual hardwood. Site finished floors are best installed by a professional because they must be nailed down, sanded, and finished by hand after the installation. It takes a few days for the entire job to be done, and if not done properly, could lead to issues with the floor later on.

The Type of Hardwood Floor

There are a couple of different installation types to consider. Nail down hardwood floors are typically the best looking and most successful installations, but this is also the installation that calls for the professional or a seasoned expert at the very least. Glue down hardwood floors are not much simpler because of the mess associated with the adhesive used to secure the floor to the subfloor. There are some people who will do glue down installations on their own, but we recommend using a professional for this method to ensure it comes out as expected. The simplest and most cost effective method to install your own hardwood floor is to use the lock and fold installation, where the planks lie on the floor and snap together.

The subfloor in the area of the home where the hardwood will be installed will have some say in whether to use nail down or glue down floors as well. If there is a concrete subfloor, nail down hardwood floors cannot be used, unless another subfloor is installed over the concrete.

The Room

Consider the room the installation is for and if it is straightforward enough to handle on your own. If the design of the room is complex, it may be worth having a professional do the work.

The Budget

If the project doesn’t have a large budget to work with, self-installation may be the best way to go for the money. However, it is important to remember you get what you pay for, so having a professional do the installation for a bit more money could save money in the long run. Talk to several different contractors and installers for quotes to see who can give the best deal, but also look for references to see who can provide the best work.

Whether you install the floor yourself or hire someone to do it for you will greatly depend on your ability to take the time to learn what you need to know to install the floor properly, and the timeframe you have to complete the project. If you don’t know the slightest thing about installing a hardwood floor, you’re going to be better off hiring someone to help you.

(10) Comments

Jeff

August 3, 2015 at 18:26

Do you have recommended installers in the central Florida area? We are zip code 32750 in Longwood FL.
- BuildDirect Product Expert Team
  
  August 5, 2015 at 12:16
  
  Hi Jeff,
  
  Thank you for getting in touch with BuildDirect.
  
  We don’t have information for specific installers in any areas but we always recommend using the websites below to help find someone in your area. You just input your zip code and installers in your area will populate.
  
  http://www.topinstallers.com
  
  https://pro.com
  
  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any other questions. Have a great day!
Dave

January 1, 2015 at 18:27

Do you have professional installers in Terre Haute, Indiana? How much can I expect to pay for engineered flooring installation?

Thanks
Elaine

August 27, 2014 at 17:11

As I consider the price and choice of flooring. How much extra per square foot do I need to expect for installation?
jeanine drinkwine

March 30, 2014 at 16:58

Do you have any installers in the Durham,NC area?
bob

January 11, 2014 at 22:21

I have installers in several areas – 816 437 1634 We do Professional Installs
regine

April 25, 2013 at 20:31

Do you have any installers that you could recommend in the Sugar Land, TX area?

Thank you
Ken Biagiarelli

February 10, 2013 at 14:51

I am working on the second floor of a house, I pulled the carpet to install a 3/4 in. prefinished hardwood floor . It has a plywood subfloor. In the middle of the room It has a dip in it about 1 1/2 in deep, about 8ft by 8ft . How do I prep this. HELP
marcel bedard

September 17, 2012 at 03:59

I was wondering whpo can install flooring for Build Direct.

I live in Michigan , I cary a builers licence , I would be available and willing to take care all of your customes flooring needs.. Please let me know Expert Flooring inc. 616 292 7118
Harvey Dupre

January 14, 2012 at 16:38

Is it necessary to lay a vapor barrier before laying new flooring on an upstairs floor?