Hardwood & Engineered Flooring Installation

Solid Hardwood Installation

Nothing matches the timeless elegance and enduring value of solid hardwood flooring. At BBJ Hardwood Flooring, we specialize in professional installation of both unfinished and prefinished solid hardwood, following National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) guidelines to ensure your investment performs beautifully for generations.

Solid hardwood flooring is milled from a single piece of wood, offering exceptional durability and the ability to be refinished multiple times throughout its lifetime. Our installation process begins long before the first board is laid—proper preparation is the foundation of a successful installation.

Our Installation Process

1. Pre-Installation Assessment

We begin with a comprehensive jobsite evaluation for moisture, temperature, and humidity conditions. This includes subfloor inspection and preparation according to NWFA standards, verification that HVAC systems are operational and the building is enclosed, and moisture testing of both subfloor and wood flooring using industry-standard methods.

2. Proper Acclimation

Wood flooring is a hygroscopic material that responds to changes in moisture, temperature, and humidity. We follow NWFA acclimation guidelines to ensure your flooring has reached equilibrium with your home's environment before installation—a critical step many contractors skip that leads to gaps, buckling, or cupping.

3. Expert Installation

Our installation includes proper orientation perpendicular to floor joists for optimal structural support, appropriate expansion space at all perimeters and vertical obstructions, vapor retarder installation when required, and professional fastening using pneumatic nailers with correct fastener gauge and spacing.

4. Site-Finished vs. Prefinished Options

We offer both site-finished flooring (installed raw, then sanded and finished on-site for a seamless, custom appearance with unlimited stain color options) and prefinished flooring (factory-applied finish offers faster installation and immediate usability with excellent durability).

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood combines the beauty of real wood with enhanced dimensional stability, making it an ideal choice for basements, concrete subfloors, and environments with varying humidity levels. The layered construction—featuring a genuine hardwood veneer atop a plywood or HDF core—provides superior resistance to moisture-related movement.

Why Choose Engineered Hardwood?

Engineered flooring excels where solid hardwood cannot. According to NWFA guidelines, solid wood floors are not recommended for below-grade installations, but engineered flooring can be successfully installed in basements and over concrete slabs when proper moisture testing and installation methods are followed.

Our Installation Methods

Glue-Down Installation: The preferred method for concrete subfloors and commercial applications. We use premium urethane adhesives following manufacturer spread rates and open-time specifications. Full-trowel glue-down provides maximum stability and eliminates hollow spots.

Floating Installation: Boards lock together without fastening to the subfloor, allowing the floor to "float" on an underlayment. Ideal for installations over radiant heat or when minimal subfloor preparation is desired.

Nail-Down Installation: For installations over wood subfloors, stapling or cleating provides a secure, traditional installation similar to solid hardwood.

The Foundation of Every Great Floor

A beautiful floor is only as good as what's beneath it. Before any installation, we conduct thorough subfloor evaluation and preparation according to NWFA standards. Many flooring failures trace back to inadequate subfloor preparation or moisture issues—our comprehensive approach eliminates these risks before they become problems.

Concrete Subfloor Requirements

• Flatness tolerance of 1/8" in 6 feet or 3/16" in 10 feet
• Minimum 30 days of curing before moisture testing
• Moisture testing using ASTM F2170 (relative humidity) or ASTM F1869 (calcium chloride) methods
• Grinding, leveling, or vapor retarder installation as needed

Wood Subfloor Requirements

• Minimum 3/4" (23/32") plywood or OSB meeting PS 1-09 or PS 2-10 standards
• Panels properly fastened every 6" on edges, 12" in field
• 1/8" spacing between panels for expansion
• Flatness and moisture content verification

We Don't Cut Corners: Proper subfloor preparation may add time upfront, but it prevents costly callbacks and ensures your floor performs beautifully for decades.