Hardwood Flooring Installation in Victoria, BC
Hardwood flooring can add warmth, character, and lasting value to a home. Excel Hardwood Floors provides hardwood flooring installation in Victoria, BC, whether you’re adding wood flooring to your existing layout or replacing flooring as part of a larger project.
Choosing the right floor involves more than selecting a colour. The construction of the flooring, the subfloor beneath it, the room’s conditions, and the installation method all affect which products are suitable. We’ll help you consider the options and plan an installation suited to your home.
Solid and engineered hardwood
Hardwood floors are available in different constructions. Understanding the basic differences can help you narrow down which products to consider.
Solid hardwood
Solid hardwood planks are made from a single piece of wood. They can be sanded and refinished, subject to the floor’s condition and remaining wood thickness. Solid flooring is generally installed over a suitable wood subfloor using fasteners; some products and conditions may allow other approved methods.
Because solid wood responds to changes in moisture and humidity, the installation environment and subfloor need to be suitable. Solid hardwood is not the right choice for every room or substrate.
Engineered hardwood
Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface layer over a constructed core. Its layered construction can make it suitable for a wider range of subfloors and installation methods than solid wood, depending on the product.
Some engineered flooring can be nailed or stapled, glued down, or installed as a floating floor. The available options depend on the specific product. The thickness of the wood surface layer also affects future refinishing potential, so it’s useful to consider both the product’s appearance and its long-term care requirements.
Pre-finished or site-finished flooring
Hardwood flooring may arrive with its finish already applied, or it may be finished after installation.
Pre-finished hardwood
Pre-finished boards are sanded and coated at the factory before they arrive at your home. Installation does not require sanding and applying finish across the entire newly installed floor. This can shorten the finishing portion of the project and lets you select from the product’s available colours and sheens.
Unfinished hardwood
Unfinished boards are installed first, then sanded and finished on site. This gives more opportunity to customize the stain and finish and can create a continuous surface across the installed area. Site finishing adds work after the boards are installed, and the room must remain clear while the floor is sanded and coated.
Common hardwood installation methods
The suitable installation method depends on the flooring product and the subfloor. Manufacturer instructions determine which methods are approved.
Nail-down or staple-down
Fasteners secure each board to a compatible wood subfloor. This method is commonly used for solid hardwood and may be approved for some engineered products. The flooring must be designed for mechanical fastening, and the subfloor needs to provide a secure base.
Glue-down
A flooring adhesive bonds the boards to the subfloor. Glue-down installation is commonly used with some engineered hardwood products and may be suitable over certain concrete or wood subfloors. The adhesive, trowel, moisture preparation, and subfloor requirements are product-specific.
Floating installation
A floating floor is not fastened directly to the subfloor. Instead, the boards connect to each other, either with a locking system or, for some products, adhesive at the joints. An approved underlayment may be required. The floor needs appropriate expansion space at the perimeter and around fixed objects.
Not every hardwood product can be floated, and the subfloor still needs to meet the product’s requirements for flatness, dryness, cleanliness, and stability.
Subfloor assessment and preparation
A new hardwood floor depends on the surface beneath it. Before installation, the subfloor should be evaluated for its condition and suitability. Depending on the project, preparation may include:
- Removing existing flooring where required
- Securing loose areas or addressing movement
- Repairing damaged sections
- Levelling uneven areas
- Checking moisture conditions
- Confirming compatibility with the selected flooring and installation method
Moisture testing is an important part of assessing a wood flooring project, particularly over concrete. Moisture conditions that are outside the flooring manufacturer’s requirements should be addressed before installation. Good preparation helps the flooring system perform as intended.
Choosing the right hardwood for your home
When comparing flooring, consider:
- Wood species: Different species have distinct grain patterns, colours, and hardness.
- Colour and character: Natural variation, knots, and grain can affect the overall look.
- Board width and length: Plank dimensions influence the visual scale and character of a room.
- Surface texture: Smooth, hand-scraped, wire-brushed, and other textures create different appearances.
- Finish and sheen: Pre-finished products come in selected finish options; unfinished flooring can be stained and finished on site.
- Room and subfloor conditions: The product must be appropriate for the location and the surface below it.
- Maintenance and future refinishing: Construction and wear-layer thickness affect what care or refinishing may be possible over time.
Hardwood is a natural material, so variation between boards is part of its character. Reviewing samples in the room’s lighting can help you understand how the colour and grain will look in your home.
Adding hardwood or replacing an existing floor
Excel Hardwood Floors can add hardwood flooring to an existing layout or install new flooring as part of a complete replacement. The work may involve transitions to adjacent flooring, baseboards or trim, and preparation of the subfloor. We’ll review how the new floor will meet adjoining rooms and discuss the details that affect the finished result.
If you’re replacing an existing floor, the condition of the subfloor may not be clear until the old flooring is removed. Any additional repair or levelling needs can be assessed as the project progresses.
Hardwood installation in Victoria since 2005
Excel Hardwood Floors is an owner-operated company specializing in hardwood flooring installation, refinishing, and repair. We’ve been working with hardwood floors in Victoria since 2005 and provide installation for new layouts and complete flooring replacements.
Request an estimate
Tell us about your project, the rooms involved, and whether you’re adding hardwood or replacing an existing floor. We’ll discuss the flooring options, assess the site conditions, and help plan the installation.
Call (250) 589-5555 or request an estimate online.