The honest answer: longer than most people expect. While the physical installation typically takes 1-3 days, the complete process including acclimation before and curing after spans 2-5 weeks when done properly.
Understanding this full timeline prevents frustration and protects your investment. At Warehouse Direct Flooring Outlet, we’ve been installing hardwood floors since 1986, and we’ve learned that rushing any phase leads to problems. Here’s what a realistic timeline looks like, phase by phase.
Phase 1: Consultation and Measurement (1-3 Days)
Before anything else, you need accurate measurements and a clear plan. We can typically schedule your free in-home measure within 48 hours of your call. During this visit, we’ll:
- Measure your space accurately
- Check subfloor type and condition
- Test moisture levels
- Discuss product options, timelines, and any concerns
Once you’ve selected your hardwood and approved the estimate, we’ll schedule delivery and installation usually within 1-4 weeks depending on product availability and our schedule.
Phase 2: Acclimation (3-14 Days Before Installation)
This is the step most people don’t know about and the one that matters most for long-term performance.
Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture from surrounding air. New hardwood needs to sit inside your home, in the rooms where it will be installed, until its moisture content equalizes with your living environment.
Why this matters: Wood installed before it acclimates will continue adjusting after installation. In humid conditions, it swells—causing buckling and cupping. In dry conditions, it shrinks—creating gaps between boards. Either way, you’re looking at expensive repairs within a year or two.
Typical acclimation times:
- Engineered hardwood: 3-5 days minimum
- Solid hardwood: 7-14 days, especially in humid coastal environments
We deliver your flooring early, open the boxes, and let the wood reach equilibrium with your home’s temperature and humidity. This isn’t optional it’s the foundation of an installation that lasts.
Phase 3: Subfloor Preparation (1-3 Days)
With acclimation complete, installation begins with removing old flooring and preparing what’s underneath.
Old flooring removal varies by material. Carpet comes up in hours. Tile or glued-down wood can add a full day or more.
Subfloor inspection and prep is where we often find surprises. Successful hardwood installation requires a subfloor that’s clean, flat, and dry. We’re looking for:
- Flatness: No more than 3/16″ variation over 10 feet for solid hardwood. Dips or high spots create squeaks and uneven wear.
- Moisture levels: We test with professional meters. If readings are too high, we need to find and fix the source before proceeding—sometimes uncovering hidden leaks or crawlspace issues.
- Structural integrity: Loose panels, damaged areas, or prior water damage all get addressed before any hardwood goes down.
This phase can take a few hours or several days depending on what we find. It’s also the primary source of unexpected delays but skipping it guarantees problems later.
Phase 4: Installation (1-3 Days)
This is the part most people picture when they think “hardwood installation.” Professional crews typically lay 500-1,000 square feet per day, depending on:
Installation method. Nail-down over plywood is generally fastest. Glue-down applications take longer due to careful adhesive work. Floating installations fall somewhere in between.
Product type. Prefinished hardwood is faster since there’s no sanding or finishing on-site. Unfinished hardwood requires additional days for the finishing process.
Room complexity. Open, rectangular rooms go quickly. Closets, angles, stairs, and intricate patterns slow things down. Herringbone or custom designs can double labor time.
For a typical 1,000 square foot project with prefinished hardwood, expect 2-3 days of installation work.
Phase 5: Site Finishing (3-5 Days for Unfinished Hardwood)
If you’ve chosen unfinished hardwood for a custom stain color or seamless look, add time for on-site finishing:
- Sanding: 1-2 days of progressively finer sanding for a perfectly smooth surface
- Staining: 1 day, plus drying time (8-24 hours depending on product)
- Sealing: 2-3 days for multiple polyurethane coats, with 24 hours between each
Prefinished hardwood skips this entire phase—the finish is factory-applied and ready to walk on much sooner.
Phase 6: Curing (1-30 Days After Installation)
Your floors might look done, but the finish isn’t fully hardened yet. “Dry to the touch” and “fully cured” are very different things.
24 hours: Walk in socks only. No shoes, no pets.
3-7 days: Begin moving furniture back carefully. Lift and place—never drag. Use felt pads on all legs.
2 weeks: Finish is mostly cured but still scratches more easily than it will later.
30 days: Finish reaches full hardness. Now you can place area rugs (which can trap solvents and damage uncured finish) and resume normal cleaning routines.
This patience pays off for years. Rushing the curing phase is the fastest way to damage floors you just invested in.
Putting It All Together: Realistic Timeline Examples
Prefinished engineered hardwood, 500 sq ft, good subfloor:
- Acclimation: 3-5 days
- Subfloor prep + installation: 1-2 days
- Light use in 24-48 hours, full cure in 2 weeks
- Total: About 2 weeks start to finish
Solid hardwood, 1,000 sq ft, needs subfloor work:
- Acclimation: 7-14 days
- Subfloor prep: 1-2 days
- Installation: 2-3 days
- Curing: 1-4 weeks for full hardness
- Total: 3-5 weeks start to finish
Unfinished hardwood with custom stain, 800 sq ft:
- Acclimation: 7-14 days
- Subfloor prep + installation: 2-3 days
- Sanding, staining, finishing: 4-5 days
- Full curing: 30 days
– Total: 4-6 weeks start to finish
Get Your Project Timeline
Every project is different. Your timeline depends on product choice, subfloor condition, room complexity, and finish type. During your free consultation, we’ll walk through exactly what to expect—no surprises.
We’ve been doing this for nearly 40 years, and our in-house crews know how to work efficiently without cutting corners on the steps that matter. Learn more about our hardwood floor installation process, or schedule your consultation to get a realistic timeline for your specific project.
Schedule Your Free In-Home Consultation | Call (831) 429-8221
