Hardwood Floor Installation in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia
Professional hardwood floor installation using nail-down, floating, and glue-down methods.
Our Hardwood Installation Process
Our certified installers handle all hardwood installation methods including nail-down for solid hardwood, floating for engineered planks, and glue-down for concrete subfloors. Every installation includes subfloor preparation, acclimation, and a final quality walkthrough.
Our certified installers have completed thousands of hardwood flooring projects throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Whether you are installing new hardwood in a single room or outfitting an entire home, we bring the same level of precision and care to every project.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
In-Home Measurement & Consultation
We visit your home to take precise measurements of every room, assess your subfloor condition, and discuss your design preferences. We bring samples so you can see how different species and stain colors look in your actual lighting. This visit is completely free with no obligation.
Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hourMaterial Delivery &Acclimation
We deliver your hardwood flooring to your home and open the cartons in the rooms where it will be installed. The wood must acclimate to your home's temperature and humidity levels for a minimum of 3 to 5 days before installation. This critical step prevents gaps, buckling, and cupping after the floor is installed by allowing the wood to reach equilibrium with your indoor environment.
Duration: 3 to 5 days acclimationSubfloor Preparation
We remove existing flooring (carpet, vinyl, tile, or old hardwood) and prepare the subfloor for installation. This includes checking for moisture levels with a professional meter, leveling any high or low spots, securing loose subfloor panels, and installing a moisture barrier where required. A properly prepared subfloor is essential for a floor that remains flat and squeak-free.
Duration: 1 day for most projectsHardwood Installation
Our installers lay the hardwood using the method best suited to your floor type and subfloor: nail-down, floating, or glue-down. Each plank is carefully selected for color and grain consistency, racked across multiple cartons to ensure a natural, blended appearance. We make precise cuts around doorways, vents, and obstacles, and maintain proper expansion gaps along walls.
Duration: 1 to 3 days depending on square footageTrim, Transitions & Final Walkthrough
We install baseboards, shoe molding, transition strips between rooms, and vent covers to complete the look. After cleanup, we walk through the entire project with you to ensure every detail meets your expectations. We do not consider the job complete until you are completely satisfied.
Duration: Half dayInstallation Methods Explained
Nail-Down Method
The traditional and most common method for solid hardwood over wood subfloors. A pneumatic nailer drives cleats or staples through the tongue of each plank at a 45-degree angle, securing it to the plywood subfloor below. This creates the most permanent and stable installation with zero flex or hollow spots underfoot.
Best For
Solid hardwood over plywood subfloors on upper levels
Floating Method
Planks lock together via tongue-and-groove or click-lock systems and rest on an underlayment pad without being attached to the subfloor. The assembled floor floats as a single unit, expanding and contracting freely with changes in humidity. This method works over concrete, plywood, existing hard flooring, and radiant heat.
Best For
Engineered hardwood over concrete slabs and radiant heat
Glue-Down Method
A flexible urethane adhesive is spread on the subfloor and planks are pressed into it one by one. Glue-down provides exceptional stability and the best sound reduction of any installation method. It is ideal for condominiums, apartments, and multi-story buildings where noise transmission to lower units is a concern.
Best For
Condos over concrete, noise-sensitive multi-story buildings
Installing Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is the construction we install over concrete, below grade, and over radiant heat, because its cross-ply core handles the moisture and temperature differential that makes a solid plank cup. It is glued down or floated in those assemblies, and nailed down like solid hardwood when it is going over a plywood subfloor on an upper level. If you are still choosing a product, our engineered hardwood collection lists the wear layers, widths, and species we carry.
Concrete Slabs and Below Grade
Every slab gets tested before a plank goes down — calcium chloride or an in-situ relative humidity probe, not a guess. If the reading is high we install a vapor retarder or a moisture-mitigating adhesive rather than proceeding and hoping. Glue-down over a slab gives the most solid feel underfoot and the best sound control, which is what condo boards in Bethesda and DC usually require.
Radiant Heat Systems
Only engineered products the manufacturer approves for radiant heat go over a heated slab. We run the system through a full heat-up and cool-down cycle before installation, hold the surface temperature under the manufacturer's ceiling (typically 80°F), and float or glue depending on the adhesive rating. Solid hardwood is not installed over radiant heat.
Floating Over Existing Floors
Click-lock engineered planks float over an underlayment pad on top of concrete, plywood, or sound existing hard flooring, with no fasteners or adhesive. It is the fastest method and the easiest to reverse, and it needs a flat substrate and a consistent expansion gap at every wall, cabinet run, and door casing.
Basements, Kitchens and Condos
These are the rooms where engineered construction earns its keep. See basement flooring and kitchen flooring for the room-specific detail, including subfloor assemblies and what we do about appliance and plumbing penetrations.
Installing Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is nailed or stapled down over a wood subfloor, above grade. It cannot go directly over concrete, because the nail-down method needs a wood substrate to bite into. Done properly it is the floor that outlasts everything else in the house, and it can be sanded and refinished six to eight times over its life. Browse the solid hardwood collection for species, widths, and grades.
Subfloor Requirements
Plywood or OSB, structurally sound, fastened tight to the joists, and flat within 3/16 inch over 10 feet. We screw down anything that moves, replace panels that are soft or water-damaged, and correct flatness before the first board — not by shimming afterwards.
Acclimation, Measured
Cartons are opened in the rooms where the floor is going and left a minimum of three to five days. We verify with meter readings on both the wood and the subfloor rather than counting days off a calendar — in the DMV's humidity swing, the calendar lies. Skipping this is what produces gaps in February and cupping in August.
Fastening Schedule
Cleats or staples driven through the tongue at a 45-degree angle, spaced to the manufacturer's schedule for the plank width — wider boards need tighter spacing — with fasteners within two inches of every board end. Boards are racked across several cartons so colour and grain blend across the room instead of pooling.
Prefinished or Site-Finished
Prefinished boards arrive sealed and are walkable the day the last one goes down. Unfinished solid hardwood is sanded, stained, and sealed in place after installation, which gives a seamless surface and any colour you want — and adds three to five days plus cure time before furniture returns.
Why Subfloor Preparation Matters
Moisture Testing
Excess moisture is the number one enemy of hardwood floors. Before installation, we test your subfloor with professional moisture meters to ensure readings are within acceptable ranges. For concrete slabs, we perform calcium chloride or relative humidity tests. If moisture levels are too high, we install a vapor barrier or recommend mitigation before proceeding.
Leveling and Flatness
Your subfloor must be flat within 3/16 inch per 10 feet for a proper hardwood installation. We check the entire surface with straight edges and address any high spots by sanding and low spots by applying self-leveling compound. An uneven subfloor leads to gaps, squeaks, and premature wear.
Old Flooring Removal
We handle the removal and disposal of existing carpet, vinyl, tile, or laminate flooring. For glued-down materials, we use professional scrapers and floor strippers to leave a clean, smooth surface. Removal costs are included in our installation quotes so there are no surprise charges.
Structural Repairs
If we discover damaged, rotted, or loose subfloor panels during preparation, we repair or replace them before installation begins. We also secure any squeaky areas by screwing the subfloor tightly to the joists below. These repairs are essential for a solid foundation that supports your hardwood for decades.
Timeline Expectations
A typical hardwood floor installation in the Maryland and DC area follows this general timeline. Actual timelines vary based on the size of your project, the condition of your subfloor, and whether you are having your floors site-finished.
1 visit (45 min to 1 hour)
3 to 5 days
1 day
1 to 3 days (varies by size)
Half day
Add 3 to 5 days for sanding, staining, and sealing
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a free in-home consultation and installation estimate. We will assess your space, discuss your options, and provide a detailed quote with no hidden fees.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationHardwood Installation FAQs
Most homes are 1 to 3 days of installation once the material has acclimated, plus a day for subfloor prep and old floor removal and a half day for trim and transitions. Add 3 to 5 days if the floor is site-finished rather than prefinished. A single room can be done in a day; a full main level in a week.
Engineered hardwood can, glued down or floated, after we moisture-test the slab with a calcium chloride or in-situ relative humidity test and install a vapor retarder if the reading calls for one. Solid hardwood cannot go directly over concrete, because nail-down installation needs a wood substrate to fasten into.
Wood moves with the moisture in the air around it. We open the cartons in the rooms where the floor is going and leave them a minimum of 3 to 5 days, verifying with meter readings on both the wood and the subfloor. Installing before the wood reaches equilibrium with your house is what produces gaps in winter and cupping in summer.
Yes. We move standard furniture, and we remove and dispose of existing carpet, vinyl, tile, or old hardwood. Removal is included in the quote, so there is no separate charge at the end. Pianos, safes, and large aquariums are the exceptions and are best handled by a specialty mover.
Prefinished floors are walkable as soon as the last board is down and trim is on. Site-finished floors need roughly 24 hours before light foot traffic and several days before rugs and heavy furniture go back, depending on whether the finish is water-based or oil-based.
The subfloor decides. Nail-down over plywood above grade, glue-down over concrete or where sound transmission matters (most DC and Bethesda condo buildings require it), and floating over slabs, radiant heat, or a sound existing hard floor. We confirm the method during the in-home measurement, not on site the morning of.
Yes, using engineered products the manufacturer approves for radiant systems. We run a full heat-up and cool-down cycle before installation and keep the surface temperature under the manufacturer ceiling, typically 80°F. Solid hardwood is not installed over radiant heat.
A typical room (200–300 sq ft) takes 1–2 days. Whole-home installations (1,000–2,000 sq ft) usually take 3–5 days. This does not include the 3–5 day acclimation period before installation begins.
Yes, all furniture and belongings should be removed from the installation area. We offer furniture moving as an add-on service for an additional fee. Appliances and heavy items require special coordination.
Yes, but only engineered hardwood is recommended for concrete subfloors. We install a moisture barrier and may use a glue-down or floating method. Solid hardwood over concrete requires a plywood subfloor system, which adds cost.
We use nail-down (preferred for solid hardwood over plywood subfloors), glue-down (ideal for engineered hardwood and concrete), and floating installation (click-lock engineered planks). Our team recommends the best method for your specific subfloor and product.
Install Hardwood Before the Holiday Rush
Fall offers a valuable window to complete hardwood installation before winter weather and holiday gatherings fill the calendar. Proper acclimation, moisture testing, and subfloor preparation are essential as DMV homes transition from cooling to heating. Finish the project now for a polished space that is ready for guests.
Expert Tips From Our Installers
Remove baseboards before installation rather than trying to butt flooring against them. This gives a cleaner look and allows for proper expansion gaps hidden by the reinstalled baseboards.
If your subfloor has moisture issues, address them before installation day — not during. A moisture test costs very little but prevents thousands in future damage.
Current Pricing
Starting at $4 per sq ft (labor only)
Installation cost depends on method (nail-down, glue-down, floating), subfloor condition, and room complexity. Material cost is separate.
Pricing updated March 2026
Related Hardwood Services
Installation is one part of what we do with wood floors. These are the jobs it most often sits alongside.
Hardwood Refinishing
Dustless sanding, custom staining, and sealing for floors worth restoring rather than replacing.
Stairs, Railings & Trim
Treads, risers, balusters, baseboards, and casing finished to match the floor we just laid.
Hardwood Repair
Board replacement, cupping and buckling, water damage, and squeak correction on existing floors.
Hardwood Installation — Service Areas
We provide hardwood installation services throughout the DMV region.
Maryland
Washington, DC
- Hardwood Installation Washington DC
- Hardwood Installation Georgetown
- Hardwood Installation Capitol Hill
Professional Hardwood Installation You Can Trust
From the first measurement to the final walkthrough, our team handles every detail of your hardwood floor installation. Request your free quote today.
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2020 Flooring
5550-F Nicholson Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852
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For over 25 years, residential and commercial members of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community have trusted 2020 Flooring. Check out what our customers have to say!
5.0on Google“We had a last minute major issue in the flooring we selected from another flooring installer on our kitchen renovation and addition. We had initially loved another flooring choice that we saw at 2020 Flooring. Unfortunately we found out it had been discontinued. Carol from 2020 Flooring went above and beyond to help us locate the amount of LVP flooring we needed by scouring the country. She found just the right amount and was able to get the order expedited so we could continue on the time schedule with our general contractor. Bobby from 2020 Flooring was great in helping us remedy an issue with the subfloor. We now have the exact flooring we wanted which has made our new kitchen and addition complete. Can't thank them enough!”
“As an architect, from the moment we walked into 2020 Flooring, upon seeing a standout recommendation on NextDoor, I was immediately impressed with Bobby and Carol's technical expertise, friendliness and professionalism. They asked the right questions, took their time to weigh flooring options for us without pressure and worked hard to meet our budget for new floors for our townhome. They committed to a date for installation and made it work. Their crew, led by Mariano, was highly competent, discrete, meticulous and worked long hours to complete the job in time. They stand by their work proudly and their warranty is better than anyone else's. Our new floors are fabulous and we wholeheartedly recommend 2020 Flooring!”
“I spent many hours trying to select a quality vinyl floor with the right color combination for my house and Carol at IDESIGN made the job easy with a great selection that I am very satisfied with. In general IDESIGN carries a good selection of quality floors but the added value of Carol's design expertise made the difference and I greatly benefited from her help. Thanks Carol😊”
Reviews sourced from Google. 2020 Flooring was given permission to publish reviews on this site.
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