Customers usually have questions concerning the processes for installing hardwood flooring.
We hope that the following will help guide you through what you should expect to encounter and what you should expect of us, your flooring contractor. ------------------------------------------------- |
No. 1 - Subfloor Material
Prior to making decisions on the type of floor you would like to install, you must first determine the composition of your subfloor, as this will have a direct bearing on what may and what may not be installed. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 2 - Wood Type / Flooring Type
After you've determined your subfloor type, and before contacting your flooring installation contractor, you should determine the type of wood flooring that you want. As mentioned under the tab "Flooring Types", there are several different types of construction for hardwood flooring (solid, engineered or laminate), as well as "unfinished" (site finished) or "Pre-finished". You should also have a general idea as to the species and grade of floor that you wish to install. We will be glad to assist you with any concerns that you may have concerning these choices. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 3 - The Estimate
You can call our office at 704-875-0611, or "contact us" through this website to arrange for our professional estimator to come to you home or business and prepare a customized estimate for you. He will provide you with a written proposal that will include a pricing breakdown and a complete materials list. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 4 - Order Materials
If you are having flooring installed, using our estimate form, you can purchase your materials from your chosen supplier, or if you are installing "unfinished" flooring, you can arrange for the "unfinished" materials through Ogle's Hardwood Flooring. When the materials are delivered, you should call our office at 704-875-0611 to schedule the installation. Between the time that your flooring materials are placed in your house and the scheduled installation date, the flooring is going through the "acclimation" phase. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 5 - Acclimation
All wood and/or Laminate flooring requires an "Acclimation" period prior to installation. This is a time during which the flooring will be placed in the building in which it is to be installed and allowed to adjust to the moisture level of the building. Acclimation periods normally range between 10 and 14 days, however longer times may be required for certain wood types, particularly those very dense types such as Brazilian teak and/or Brazilian Walnut. Insufficient and/or improper acclimation can result in problems after the floor has been installed, such as cupping, and warping. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 6 - Preparation
While your flooring materials are acclimating, or any time prior to the installation date or the re-finishing date, you should be preparing your home or office for the processes. All furniture, all hanging, etc. should be removed from the areas in which the work will be taking place. (Note: customers are responsible for moving and replacing all furniture and wall hanging. OHF will disconnect and remove any plumbing fixtures, but the customer is responsible for their replacement / reconnection.) -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 7 - Installation
If flooring is being installed in your home or office, our professional installers will put their skills to work. Under normal circumstances, they can install approx. 650 ft/2 of flooring per day. If you have chosen to have "pre-finished" or "laminate" flooring installed, you can move your furniture, etc. back as soon as the installers have finished. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
No. 8 Finishing
Unfinished or "site-finished" flooring requires sanding and finishing after installation. This usually brings to mind a very dusty, messy process, however with our "Dust Free" sanding techniques and equipment it is actually much cleaner than you would expect. After the floors are installed, they are sanded, then if you desire, a stain color of your choice is applied. Stain usually requires a 4 hour dry time. A sealer is then applied over the stain. The drying time for sealer is approx. 4 hrs. Once the sealer has dried, it is buffed and the first coat of finish is applied. The normal dry time for oil based finish is 8 hrs, for water based finish it is 3 hrs, and for traffic finish, it is 3 hrs. The second and final coat of finish is laid down after the first coat has fully dried and has been buffed. Drying times are as mentioned above, but a 48 hour wait time is required before placing furniture on you newly finished floor. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |