Category: Flooring Installation

Understanding the Installation Process for Commercial Hardwood Flooring in Chicago

Hardwood flooring brings a classic, sophisticated look to commercial spaces throughout Chicago. From upscale offices in the Loop to boutique shops in Lincoln Park, hardwood flooring is a top choice for durability, beauty, and lasting appeal. However, the installation process for commercial hardwood flooring involves careful planning, preparation, and attention to detail. Here, we’ll outline the essential steps, challenges, and best practices for installing hardwood floors in commercial spaces.

1. Initial Consultation and Assessment
The first step is to assess the specific needs of the commercial space. In Chicago, businesses have diverse requirements based on factors like foot traffic, desired aesthetic, and maintenance capacity. A professional consultation includes accurately measuring the area to ensure precise material requirements, checking the existing subfloor for any issues such as uneven surfaces, moisture, or cracks, which are common challenges in Chicago’s older commercial buildings, and determining the right wood type. For high-traffic areas, harder wood species (e.g., oak or hickory) may be more suitable, while dark stains may appeal to upscale environments, and lighter stains might suit contemporary, open spaces.

2. Material Selection and Planning
Choosing the appropriate materials is crucial, not only for appearance but also for functionality. In commercial spaces, durability is key, so the selection process should focus on wood types and finishes designed to withstand heavy use. Chicago’s climate, with its humid summers and cold winters, can affect flooring, so selecting materials that handle temperature changes is essential. For instance, engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood in variable climates, making it a popular choice in the Midwest.

3. Preparation of the Subfloor
The preparation stage is critical for a smooth and durable installation. Proper subfloor preparation reduces the risk of future issues, such as warping or buckling, that can arise due to Chicago’s seasonal humidity and temperature changes. Preparation steps include cleaning and leveling the subfloor to prevent uneven surfaces, checking moisture levels in the subfloor to avoid problems with expansion or contraction, and allowing hardwood planks to acclimate to the indoor environment, which helps prevent future expansion or contraction. For Chicago’s fluctuating climate, acclimation for several days is often recommended.

4. Installation Process
There are multiple methods for hardwood installation, each with its own advantages depending on the specific commercial needs and the chosen wood type. Three primary installation methods are glue-down, which is often used for engineered wood on concrete subfloors and provides stability ideal for high-traffic commercial spaces; nail-down, common for solid hardwood over wooden subfloors, offering strong support but requiring precise nail placement to avoid warping; and floating floor, where engineered wood often uses this technique to interlock planks without adhesives, making it a good option for spaces needing a quick turnaround since it’s faster to install and can handle minor subfloor imperfections. A professional installation team will work efficiently, taking into account business hours and minimizing disruption in active commercial spaces.

5. Finishing Touches
Once the installation is complete, applying a protective finish is essential for high-traffic commercial settings in Chicago. The finish adds a layer of protection against wear and tear while enhancing the wood’s natural beauty. Options include polyurethane finish, ideal for heavy foot traffic as it provides excellent durability; oil-based finish, which offers a natural look and is easy to maintain, although it may require reapplication over time; and water-based finish, which is fast-drying and environmentally friendly, perfect for businesses focused on sustainability. Some finishes offer UV protection, which is beneficial in spaces with significant natural light exposure, such as storefronts and offices with large windows.

6. Post-Installation Inspection and Maintenance Plan
After installation, a professional inspection ensures that the floor is properly installed and meets quality standards. Creating a maintenance plan is also vital for long-term durability, especially in busy Chicago businesses. A maintenance plan may include regular cleaning, sweeping and mopping with hardwood-safe products to maintain the floor’s appearance; scheduled polishing or re-coating, which can help maintain the floor’s finish and extend its lifespan; and controlling temperature and humidity to prevent warping, which is especially crucial during Chicago’s winter and summer months.

Challenges in Commercial Hardwood Flooring Installation in Chicago
Commercial hardwood flooring installation in Chicago comes with unique challenges, including weather-related humidity variations, as the city experiences extreme seasonal changes, making moisture control during installation essential; older buildings with uneven subfloors, requiring leveling and sometimes additional support layers; and the need for high-foot traffic solutions in busy businesses like retail shops and restaurants, which require careful material and finish selection.

Understanding the commercial hardwood flooring installation process is essential for Chicago businesses seeking both durability and aesthetic appeal. Each step, from consultation to post-installation maintenance, requires professional expertise to address the unique needs of Chicago’s diverse commercial spaces. With proper planning and execution, hardwood flooring can be a transformative addition, enhancing the overall ambiance and professionalism of any business setting in Chicago. This detailed look at the process will help businesses make informed decisions and achieve a high-quality, lasting floor that meets both functional and design expectations.

Moisture Measures Before and After You Install Your New Hardwood Floor

A newly axed tree won’t gush out a flood of water when it hits the ground, but about 200% of that tree’s current weight is due to moisture. By the time that tree turns into a hardwood plank finding its way to your living room subfloor, that moisture content is only around 6%. Moisture affects wood from the time it is first run through the sharp rough edges of a saw and all the way through the fine-tuning milling and machining process. Moisture plays a part in storage, delivery and even installation. Once your hardwood floor is completely installed in your home, that tree will still be hanging on to a percentage of its moisture content – and as long as there is moisture in the air it isn’t going to let it go.

Moisture isn’t a bad thing, and obviously we need air and water to survive. But when it comes to hardwood floors, there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing” – and that good thing is moisture. It might be good for garden, but it’s not good for your indoor hardwood floor. Moisture causes hardwood floors to expand and contract – which is seasonally acceptable – but too much moisture, and your hardwood floors will have noticeable gaps, crowns, irregularities and even buckling that will affect the floors appearance and structural integrity. Excessive moisture can lead to floor rot, particularly if the floor is not properly finished and protected.

Household hardwood floors should have a moisture content between 6% and 9%, but the percentage will be affected by the type of wood, the weight of the wood, and many other factors. Some woods naturally have more extreme moisture contents, ranging from 4% to 18%, but oak floors are generally in the 6% to 9% range. The percentage of moisture content is simply determined by comparing how much moisture is in solid wood compared to the same weight of oven-dried wood. Before the wood is installed in your home, its moisture content should be tested with a moisture meter to make sure it is within an acceptable range.

Controlling the temperature of your home is the best way to prevent unwanted gaping and floor movement throughout the seasons. Keeping the indoor humidity levels at a range between 30% and 50%, and a room temperature between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit is an easy way for you keep your floor’s moisture level at a healthy, stable level. But there are also measures the manufacturers, delivery companies, and installers can take to keep your hardwood floors from acting moody from their moisture content changes.

To begin with, quartersawn wood will be more stable than plainsawn wood. Quality manufacturers will record moisture levels before the wood even leaves their facility, and will include their moisture-level findings on packaging material. They will also have temperature-controlled storage to maintain a consistent moisture content.

The delivery company should take care not to subject the wood to any extreme temperature changes. Once the wood arrives at the place of installation, the wood should be left out to adjust to the room temperature for at least a couple days before the actual installation. A moisture reading should be taken just prior to installation to make sure that the moisture content of the hardwood is within standards proposed by national flooring associations.

Moisture is a fact of life, and your floor will move – although you might not even notice it. Wide planks move more than smaller wood strips, and you might notice a gap between two wide 5” planks, but hardly the millimeter changes between two 2 ¼ “ hardwood strips. By making sure your hardwood flooring reaches an acceptable moisture level before installation, and by keeping your home at a consistent temperature and humidity level, the natural movement of your hardwood floor will be minimized.

Despite receiving the ax and going through an extreme weight loss, your hardwood floor is still living. It needs to be kept comfortable. By keeping its moisture content stable from beginning to end, you’ll have a strong, solid hardwood floor to support you for the lifetime of your home.