Question 1

How much hardwood flooring do I need?

Accepted Answer

Measure the length and width of each room in feet, multiply to get square footage, and add a waste factor based on the install pattern. For straight plank installs, add 7% to 10%. For diagonal, add 12% to 15%. For herringbone or chevron, add 15% to 20%. Then divide by the box coverage (typically 20 to 25 sq ft per box) and round up. For a 12 x 14 ft bedroom (168 sq ft) with a 10% waste factor, you would need 185 sq ft, or 8 boxes at 24 sq ft each.

Question 2

How many planks come in a box of hardwood flooring?

Accepted Answer

Box quantities depend on plank dimensions. A typical box of 3/4 inch x 3-1/4 inch x random length oak hardwood covers 20 to 25 sq ft and contains 18 to 25 planks. Wider planks (5 to 7 inch) come in larger boxes (30 to 40 sq ft) with fewer planks. Engineered hardwood boxes vary from 20 to 30 sq ft. Always check the specific product label for exact coverage.

Question 3

Do I need underlayment under hardwood?

Accepted Answer

Yes for floating engineered floors and laminate. For nail-down solid hardwood over plywood subfloor, install 15-lb felt or rosin paper as a moisture barrier and squeak suppressor. For floating engineered floors, use a 2 to 3 mm foam underlayment with vapor barrier (especially over concrete slabs). Acoustic underlayment is recommended for second-story installations to reduce sound transmission.

Question 4

What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?

Accepted Answer

Solid hardwood is one piece of wood (typically 3/4 inch thick) and can be sanded and refinished 5 to 7 times over its 50+ year lifespan. Engineered hardwood has a thinner hardwood veneer (1 to 6 mm) over a plywood core, can be installed over concrete or below grade, and can be refinished 1 to 3 times depending on veneer thickness. Engineered is more dimensionally stable in humid environments. Cost is similar.

Question 5

How long does hardwood flooring need to acclimate?

Accepted Answer

Hardwood must acclimate to your home's temperature and humidity before installation - typically 5 to 7 days for solid hardwood and 48 to 72 hours for engineered. Stack the boxes flat on the subfloor in the rooms where they will be installed, with the climate control running. Skipping acclimation causes gaps in winter and buckling in summer. Install only when room conditions match the long-term environment (typically 60-80F, 30-50% humidity).

Question 6

How much does hardwood flooring cost installed?

Accepted Answer

Material costs run $3 to $8 per sq ft for engineered, $5 to $12 for domestic solid hardwood, and $8 to $25 for exotic species. Professional installation adds $3 to $8 per sq ft for nail-down or floating, $5 to $10 for glue-down. For a 500 sq ft room: budget $4,000 to $10,000 installed for typical solid oak hardwood, including transitions, baseboards, and underlayment.

Feature	Solid	Engineered
Thickness	3/4" (19 mm)	3/8" - 5/8" (10-15 mm)
Refinishings	5 - 7	1 - 3
Over concrete	No	Yes
Below grade	No	Yes
Lifespan	50-100+ yrs	25-50 yrs

Species	Janka	Cost / sq ft	Best For
Pine (E. white)	380	$3 - $5	Rustic, farmhouse
Cherry	950	$7 - $12	Formal rooms
Walnut	1010	$8 - $14	Dark, rich look
Red Oak	1290	$4 - $8	Standard residential
White Oak	1360	$5 - $10	Modern, water-resistant
Hard Maple	1450	$6 - $10	Light, clean look
Hickory	1820	$5 - $9	High traffic, pets
Brazilian Cherry	2820	$8 - $14	Very high traffic

Method	Works For	Subfloor
Nail-down	Solid 3/4" hardwood	Plywood only
Staple-down	Thinner solid hardwood	Plywood only
Glue-down	Engineered hardwood	Concrete, plywood
Floating (click)	Engineered, some solid	Any flat, dry surface

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