Helping You Prepare for Hardwood Flooring Installation
770-554-1555
Helping You Prepare for Hardwood Flooring Installation
Our goal is to offer you quality hardwood products that have a positive and lasting effect on your home. We provide products that beautify your home, enhance design and décor, meet your specific comfort, performance, and budget needs.
To assist in achieving your goal, we have created a library of hardwood knowledge, style choices, shopping tips, buying considerations, and upkeep dos and don’ts.
As a flooring product, hardwood flooring offers many features and benefits for your home.
We can help you prepare for the the arrival and installation of your new hardwood flooring. Understanding what to expect and being prepared will enable the process to go smoothly for you and your family.
Our First Advice
Installing hardwood flooring is a major endeavor that is physically challenging, can be time consuming and a significant investment in your home.
Selecting Southern Woods for your flooring project will provide you with seasoned professionals and a beautiful, efficient, and proper installation.
Installing hardwood flooring is a skill that is developed through education and years of experience. Your understanding of the basic process of hardwood installation will prepare you for our visit to your home. This knowledge will significantly improve your confidence that our professionals working in your home are providing you with the highest quality of service.
These are the commonly used methods for installing hardwood flooring.
1. Glue Down: This Technique is All About Adhesives
The recommended adhesive is spread on with the correct size trowel to join the wood flooring to the subfloor. It is important to note that engineered hardwood floors and parquets can be glued down while solid strip floors and plank floors can only be nailed or stapled.
2. Nail Down: Modern Solid Method
Typically, this process is used with the ¾ inch solid product. However, there are adapters available for thinner flooring sizes as well. Nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to join the flooring to the subfloor. Note that solid strip floors or plank floors can only be installed on wooden subfloors on grade or above grade.
The installer will use a pneumatic gun to drive the cleat into the wood flooring and subfloor. Not all wood flooring manufacturers suggest the same size fasteners. Using Southern Woods will guarantee that the right fastener is used for your specific floor.
What to Know and Do Before Installation Day
Move Your Furniture
Relocate all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas to be floored. You will need to empty the contents of china cabinets, closets, and other furniture pieces before moving. The good news is that we can move your furniture for you and charges for this service can be part of the quote we develop with you.
Prepare Electrical Outlets Usage
Several machines we use will require a 220V outlet. This is available at the dryer plug or the electrical panel of the house. Please be sure access is available to both outlets for hardwood sanding to begin.
What to do with Your Present Floor Covering
It would be prudent to consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. We can offer this service for you and include this in our quote. This can be a time consuming and messy task, but we will be happy to discuss available removal options with you.
If you prefer to get rid of your present floor covering yourself, do it at least one day before the installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation.
Turn Your Attention to the Trim
Shoe moldings must be removed for hardwood installation. Our installers may do this for an extra charge, but will not be responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood. Painted baseboards, woodwork, and paint may require renovating or repainting after refinishing is complete.
Get Expert Assistance on Your Sub Flooring
Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the hardwood, or a new subfloor may be required. This is a job best left to our professionals, and we can help you with these decisions.
Include a Door Plan in Your Preparation
When hardwood is installed, there is always the likelihood that the doors may not clear the new floor. This typically may apply to closet, basement and bedroom doors. Our installers may need to remove doors in order to install the hardwood and re-hang them for an additional cost. If there is a clearance issue, you may want to arrange for a qualified carpenter to trim your door after installing your new hardwood floor.
What to Know and Do During Installation Day
Be Available On Installation Day
On the day of installation, if you are making a stain color choice, be prepared to be at home or nearby to make your decision after stain samples are applied. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances of each job, we will provide a time frame of arrival.
Your Family is Our Concern
Our installers will use a wide range 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 the days we are in your home.
What to Know and Do After Installation Day
Clear The Air
If you are allergic to dust and odors, good ventilation should be in place for 48 to 72 hours after installation.
Being Prepared is the Result of Being Informed
We want you to be adequately prepared for the installation of your new hardwood floor. To that end, we have brought together the most knowledgeable associates and experienced installers to give you trustworthy information, reliable resources, and proven solutions.
We hope that the information we have featured here gives you a better understanding of how to prepare for installation day.
Request a Free Flooring Estimate
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL FLOORING EXPERTS IN YOUR HOME
Questions?
We’re Here To Help
Have A Hardwood Question? Give Us A Call
770-554-1555
Our Ratings And Reviews
“Southern Woods did a great job on our garage flooring project...on time, fair price and it looks terrific...what a transformation! We recommend Southern Woods without hesitation.”
Jeffrey A
Greensboro“Rob and his team are very friendly and knowledgeable. Everything went smoothly from scheduling the estimate to the finished project. Installation crew was prompt and professional and did a great job. We had our hardwoods refinished and added more. You cannot tell the old from the new they match perfectly with a seamless transition.”
Glenn T
Loganville“ I would definitely recommend Southern Woods to friends and family as the customer service was outstanding. ”
Lisa N
Bethlehem"The Southern Woods folks have done flooring in 4 houses for me now using both hardwood and vinyl and I have been very pleased with each one."
Hayes S
Braselton"This is a fantastic company that does exactly what they say they will do in the time and for the price that they say they will do it."
Nathan S
Lawrenceville"Southern Woods did such an amazing job with our floors. My partner is a carpenter himself and is incredibly picky, and the owner made it a point to make sure he (and me) were happy with everything."
Lauren N
Athens"Southern Woods has performed well above the standard each and every time I have used them. From sand and refinish, new wood flooring, to tile and carpet they are always my vendor of choice."
Cliff H
Grayson"We had our master bath remodeled and I must say that the job that was done is fantastic! Rob was great to work with and Manny who did the tile almost completely by himself was unbelievable!."
Sheila R
Loganville"Great customer service!! As well as great selection of hardwood, laminate, LVP, etc, they have a very nice showroom that showcases a wide variety of their product."
Kenny F
Athens"We installed our own new hardwoods and Southern Woods refinished and matched them seamlessly to our old woods. They were communicative and their pricing was very fair."
Jessica T
Atlanta" We LOVE our refinished floors! The are absolutely beautiful! I would highly recommend Southern Woods for any of your flooring needs!"
Kim S
Snellville"Southern Woods was flexible with appointments, extremely knowledgeable, and responsive with any questions. They ensured I was completely satisfied when the jobs were complete."
Susan C
Johns Creek"I used Southern Woods to refinish my floors, they were very professional, I met with them, discussed what I wanted, they quoted me a price. They showed up when they were supposed to, and the quality of the work was better than expected."
Simply S
Atlanta"Wonderful company! We've used Southern Woods for hardwood, carpet, tile and granite counter tops. They do amazing work start to finish."
Willie M
Grayson"Great people!!! They do awesome work. I highly recommend them."
Danielle K
Suwanee“Southern Woods made the entire process of updating our floors so easy. Their communication was great, and the installers were courteous and professional. The process was almost completely contact-free, and everyone wore a mask. We appreciated their taking such safety measures. And we're so happy with our floors!”
Rebecca A
Lawrenceville“This was at least the 7th job that Rob and his team have done for us in the last 10 years. I would never consider using anyone else! I trust him and Southern Woods completely. His expertise and integrity and work ethic are unrivaled. He's the best in Atlanta . . . period!”
Keith E
Winder“Most beautiful floors I’ve ever seen! Professional staff and so knowledgeable! You can tell Rob knows his floors, and is passionate about getting you the results you want!”
Cliff A
Athens-“Saved my kitchen floor and my sanity!”
Gwen B
Tucker“Fantastic service from beginning to end. They were very professional, upfront and transparent with pricing and costs. I would use them again and recommend to anyone in the area.”