Expert Tips to Ensure a Flawless Hardwood Flooring Installation: Avoid the Top 5 Costly Mistakes Homeowners Make

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5 Hardwood Flooring Installation Mistakes to Avoid for a Stress-Free Renovation

Mistake 1: Inadequate Subfloor Preparation and Moisture Control

Although all eyes are on your beautiful hardwood floors, what lies below is critical to hardwood flooring installation success. First, the subfloor and underlayment require proper prep work to remove anything interfering with contact between your subfloors and hardwood. Second, subfloors must be dry, level, and clean to ensure your hardwood remains secure, flat, and even.



Hardwood floor manufacturers recommend subfloor moisture control requirements and the type of underlayment recommended based on moisture levels and subfloor materials. A test detects vapor emissions not visible to the human eye. Determining the moisture level in your subfloors prevents issues such as shifting floorboards, creaks, and cracks. Without proper cleanup and moisture control, your hardwood is destined to fail.

Mistake 2: Incorrect hardwood acclimation before installation

Acclimation prevents expansion and shrinkage issues that lead to structural damage and distortion of your floorboards. Storing hardwood in your home for several days before installation acclimates the wood to environmental moisture levels, reducing expansion and contraction once installed.

Although your new floors are made of the same wood, all hardwood is milled and produced in different runs. Each run tends to see the same shading but looking at boards from other runs shows shade and grain variances. As a result, when laid side by side, your beautiful hardwood appears uneven.



Since it is impossible to avoid having boards from different runs in larger spaces, pulling random boards from different boxes is essential during the installation process. This will prevent distinct contrasts and create consistency with equal variations throughout the room. A good rule of thumb is to inspect each board for damage or defects that make them stand out.

Mistake 4: Insufficient Expansion Gaps and Improper Spacing

Wood naturally expands and contracts as temperatures and humidity levels change. Even if you acclimate your hardwood before installation, these variances continue. As a result, proper installation requires expansion joints to accommodate these changes. With proper expansion gaps and spacing, your hardwood won’t buckle or loosen with ongoing expansion and contraction.

Proper hardwood installation requires a ¾ inch space along the walls, while engineered hardwood requires ½ inch of expansion space. Space is also necessary for anything the floors align against, such as built-ins, two-sided fireplaces, or kitchen islands. The flooring manufacturer should recommend expansion spaces based on the wood species.

Once you account for expansion space, you also have to space the nail/staple placement. A 10 to 12 inches gap between nails or staples and at least two nails per floorboard reduces peaking or movement that makes floors uneven.

Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Tools and Installation Techniques

Common flooring installation issues are often associated with using the wrong tools and installation techniques. Proper tools include:

• Pneumatic Flooring Nailer: The nailer quickens the installation pace while securing boards.
• Drill With Drill Bits: A drill with the right-sized drill bits allows you to predrill your nail holes, reducing the risk of damaging your floorboards.
• Hammer and Nail Set: Because pneumatic nailers are hard to use near the wall, you’ll need a hammer and nail set to “face-nail” the first and last few rows of boards.
• Nail Punch: Nail punches allow you to countersink nails for a smooth finish.
• Mallet and Block: Your mallet and block tap each board to secure the tongue and groove connections.
• Pry bar: A pry bar allows you to insert retrofitted final pieces less than an inch wide into the grooves more easily.
• Nail gun: Nail guns make it easier to finish the molding and install the 3/4 round to finish your baseboards.

The technique used is essential for pristine floors. The smallest missteps can lead to noticeable defects that impact your floor’s appearance and soundness. For example, your first row of planks should be the straightest ones you can find. If not, your entire floor will be difficult to lay because the boards are not aligned. Another example is not using spacers to mark the expansion gap. Without spacers, your expansion spaces will be uneven, and your boards will not align with the wall on the other side of the room.

About the Author:

Since 2014, Nick Patel and the team at SCV Floorsmith have provided high-quality flooring services to homeowners in Santa Clarita, Calabasas, and the surrounding areas. With over 5000 projects completed successfully and more than 30 years of industry experience, you can be confident that SCV Floorsmith has the experience and expertise to handle your next flooring project.