frequently asked questions

The material costs of hardwood floors is an investment of your money and your time. It takes experienced craftsmen to know exactly how hardwood should be laid out, to assure proper leveling, moisture control and finish. This project can be more labor intensive than you estimate, as it entails prep work including carpet removal, subfloor preparation and leveling. If you are going to install wood flooring yourself, at the very least, you should have experience with carpentry; we recommend you consult DIY videos on best practices and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Depending upon the square footage involved, labor costs for wood floor installation can range from $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot for hardwood. Prices are dependent upon the type of surface we are installing on (concrete vs. plywood). Hardwood product costs (species dependent range from $2.50 - $10.00 per square foot) See our price comparison chart here.

Engineered wood is used primarily when installed over concrete surfaces. It has a protective moisture control barrier to prevent buckling and warping due to moisture emitted from concrete. Onsite finished flooring has an authentic and traditional feel to it. Pre-finishing flooring delivers a high definition, sleeker and more modern look, not to mention it is a faster process and highly affordable.

With over 30 years experience, All Hardwood Floors is the largest single provider of residential wood floor refinishing & installation services in the area. We employ highly skilled craftsmen and installers that know how to handle any situation. Our reputation is backed by our 5 star reviews on Google, Angie’s List, Yelp, BBB and Home Advisor.

Wood floor installations typically take 2-3 days depending upon the size of the project, the type of stain used and temperature/weather conditions.

Furniture must be removed from the area where we will be working, you should ensure pets and family members are off premises. We will put up plastic sheets to protect your shelving/personal property from dust and dirt. Carpeting must be removed prior to installation/refinishing unless you are contracting us for the carpet removal. We suggest that you leave your house for one day (for pre-finished flooring installation), 3-4 days if we are installing/refinishing on site.

That depends upon the size of the project and which rooms are being worked on. More often than not, homeowners can stay in their home, as long as they aren’t walking on the hardwood floors, during installation/finishing process.

That’s a very personal choice, which depends upon on wood preferences: do you like a lot of grain vs. a little grain, light/neutral color vs. a darker/richer color, wide vs. narrow planks, modern vs. traditional aesthetics. Each wood species has a different durability factor, and you should consider if the area will be a high traffic area. With over 30 years in the industry, we are experienced with all species of woods and are happy to consult with you and make recommendations to fit your lifestyle, personal tastes and budget. For more details, check out our wood species comparison guide.

Moisture and water are the enemies of hardwood floors. It’s important to keep your home at a constant humidity level. For areas of your home that are regularly exposed to moisture (e.g. basements), we recommend engineered hardwoods as they are designed to absorb moisture emitted from basements, concrete etc. and are designed to avoid buckling or warping.

Not necessarily. Prefinished hardwoods and commercial brand oil and water-based polyurethanes provide an especially durable hard protective coating. If you do not allow pet urine to stand for a long period on your hardwood flooring, and if pet’s nails are kept trimmed, pets and hardwood flooring can live in harmony.

Selecting just the right color is not easy, with so many options and especially when you are referencing a brochure or chart. We make your decision process easy by offering a free, custom, in-home color test. You pick multiple stain colors and we apply directly to your floors, so you can try it out, evaluate for yourself in your own home on your own floors and feel confident in your color choice. Check out our stain color chart.

We would begin with a full and complete sanding to remove the finish and get down to the bare wood, then we address any necessary repairs (patch holes and fill gaps), followed by treating the hardwood with a sealant and choosing a stain color, applying three coats of oil or water-based polyurethane.

Hardwood needs to be sanded down to the bare wood. Next, you select your desired stain color and we apply three coats of polyurethane. We can facilitate your decision with an in-home color test. You select different stain colors which we apply directly to your floors, so you can evaluate it for yourself in your own home on your own floors and feel confident in your color choice. Check out our stain color chart.

Kimberly Villa, marketing manager for Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling in San Diego says the average cost for popular woods such as oak, maple, walnut, or cherry is around $5 to $10 per square foot. Installation is typically around $4 to $8 per square foot.

I recommend the following simple maintenance tips to all my clients:

1. Leave the work boots and high heels outside, as they can really dig in and are harmful to hardwood.
2. Use rugs or mats at the door.
3. Clean your hardwood regularly, especially the foyer, which should be cleaned a couple of times each week.
4. Avoid excessive water, such as a mop and bucket, because too much moisture can be harmful.
5. Consider using damp, microfiber mops and warm water (not hot) together with floor cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors – we like Bona hardwood cleaners and restorers.
6. Regular restorative deep cleaning every 12-18 months can protect and extend your floor’s life. We recommend restoremyfloorsllc.com .

Each has its own unique benefits and depends upon your situation. We are happy to consult with you and help you select the option that is best for your home. Whichever form of stain you choose, we recommend that it be a commercial strength product to ensure longevity and durability as opposed to over-the-counter store-bought products.

Common hardwood issues include buckling, water damage, peeling, cracking and pet stains. Many of these problems can be repaired, depending upon the severity and on the type of wood. We would be happy to provide an in-home consultation to evaluate and provide a customized quote. See our blog on common hardwood repairs.

Due to the acidity of pet urine (both cats & dogs), most of the time pet stains have penetrated not only the polyurethane finish but has gone deep into the wood itself. Usually sanding alone will not suffice, making full replacement of the hardwood in the affected area and recoating necessary.

Real estate professionals affirm that hardwood flooring is highly desirable for many buyers. 93% of Realtors feel that installing hardwood floors is a good investment. Besides being an attractive amenity for potential buyers, hardwood floors have proven to have a good return on investment for homeowners. The average ROI for installing wood floors hovers in the 70%–80% range, depending on the project specifics, flooring layout, and your property’s location, according to Travis a home remodeling expert with RemodelingImage.com. When done right, he says new hardwood floors can add up to 2.5% to the sale price. Check out our blog on Hardwood Floors Increase the Value of Your Home.