Like most things in life, there’s no straight answer to the question “How long it will take to fit wood flooring?” Sorry! However, if your room is well prepared and you’ve hired a professional fitter (with an assistant), a good guide is around 45m2 per day. However, there are so many variables in that figure, it really is only a guide. That said, there are several elements to the whole process of fitting a wooden floor that’ll help you anticipate what’s likely to impact on the time taken. These elements are:
Are you fitting a solid wood or engineered wood floor?
This point is important for two reasons. The first is acclimatisation and the second is the speed of fitting.
Irrespective of whether you’ve chosen a solid wood or an engineered wood floor, it’s a good idea to allow the flooring to acclimatise in its new environment before you fit it. Acclimatising wood flooring minimises the risk of excessive expansion and contraction after fitting. The best way to acclimatise wood flooring is in situ, but if this isn’t possible, it’s important to find conditions as close to your room as possible in order to get a good result. Acclimatising wood flooring can take up to two weeks.
Although it’s not a unanimous opinion, most experts agree that engineered wood flooring is quicker to fit than solid wood, but much will depend on your level of skill and the extent of your preparation.
Have you chosen pre-finished flooring or will your flooring be finished post-fitting?
If your concern about the amount of time wood flooring will take to fit is related to the invasion on your home, there’s no doubt that choosing pre-finished wood flooring will reduce the disruption. There are any number of pre-finished options available, from satin lacquer at one end of the spectrum to brushed and oiled at the other, so, if you’re looking for minimum hassle in your home, it’s well worth investigating the pre-finished options that suit the look you’re after.
Is your subfloor prepared and dry?
There’s no getting away from the fact that preparation is at the core of most DIY (and professional) floor fitting successes. There is little point investing in a new floor only to lay it over a damp and, or uneven subfloor. The time invested in making sure your subfloor is as good as it can be, will be time well spent and will ultimately reduce the time it takes to fit your floor.
Which fitting method have you selected for your new floor?
There are three main fitting methods for wood flooring. They are: glue-down; nail or staple-down and floating. Which method you choose, will depend on the flooring you’ve chosen; your subfloor; whether or not you have underfloor heating and maybe even whether you’re planning a DIY or a professional approach. Either way, floating installation is widely recognised as the speediest of the fitting methods, but should only be chosen if it’s the right solution for your individual project, not simply because it’s fast.
Whether you plan DIY or professional fitting.
While professional fitting may on the face of it, appear to be more expensive than the DIY option, there’s no getting away from the fact that getting someone in to do the job and getting it done quickly, complete with a guarantee, is often well worth the premium. See our article on Fitting Wood Flooring DIY or Hiring A Fitter?
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FAQ
How long does it generally take to fit wood flooring?
Although there is no exact answer due to various factors, a good guide is around 45 square meters per day for a professional fitter (with an assistant).
Does the type of wood floor affect the fitting time?
Yes, the type of wood floor can impact the fitting time. For example, most experts agree that engineered wood flooring is quicker to fit than solid wood. Also, it is advisable to allow the flooring to acclimatise in its new environment before fitting, which can take up to two weeks.
How does the choice of pre-finished or post-fitting finished flooring impact the fitting time?
Choosing pre-finished wood flooring can reduce the disruption and time required for fitting, as the finishing process is already done. There are many pre-finished options available that can suit various aesthetics.
How does the condition of the subfloor affect the fitting time?
Preparation of the subfloor is essential for the fitting process. If the subfloor is damp or uneven, it can increase the fitting time. Properly preparing your subfloor can ultimately reduce the time it takes to fit your floor.
Does the fitting method affect the fitting time?
Yes, the fitting method can affect the fitting time. There are three main fitting methods for wood flooring: glue-down, nail or staple-down, and floating. The floating installation method is generally recognised as the fastest, but it should only be chosen if it is the right solution for your individual project.