Hardwood and Laminate Flooring in the D/FW area

All furniture and items should be removed from all areas of installation. In cases where this is not possible & we have discussed it, below are the minimum guidelines that should be followed for preparing for your new flooring.

Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room and Office

Remove all small items, i.e. knick knacks, lamps, plants, books, candles, etc. from all areas.
Empty all bookcases, hutches, china cabinets, entertainment centers.
Empty or remove all desk and dresser drawers.
Disconnect all electronics – televisions, stereos, and computers.
Remove all linens and pillows from beds and take beds apart.
Remove all items off pantry and/ or closet floors.

Kitchen & Utility Room
Disconnect water line to icemaker. Secure all items inside refrigerator. Remove all items from inside and on tops of washer and dryer. Disconnect all water and electrical lines.

Bathroom
Remove all items off the floor. Toilet and sink need to be removed.

Miscellaneous
Cover all doorways and openings with plastic. You may also want to remove drapes or cover them with plastic. Any furniture that is not being moved out of the areas of installation should be covered with plastic to help protect from the dust. There will be a lot of dust!!

If you are getting the material yourself, it must be stored inside the house with the HVAC system on. It must be stored in a climate controlled environment. It cannot be stored in your car, garage, attic or storage building. You should inspect every carton for damage.

If we assist you in moving any furniture or appliances, we will not be liable for any damage which may occur. We cannot move any waterbeds, grandfather clocks, aquariums, pianos, pool tables or safes.

It is important for you to practice safety while the installers are working in your home. Keep children and pets away from the work areas. If you have to go into the work area be very careful because of the many tools being used and those that may be lying on the ground. There are sharp objects (saws, blades, nails, etc.) as well as materials (adhesive, mineral spirits, etc.) that could be harmful if touched or swallowed.

Removing existing flooring (carpet, tile, etc.) and installing new flooring will stir up and create a lot of dust. Other things that also create dust are scraping residue off the concrete (paint, etc), sweeping, vacuuming, undercutting door jambs and fireplaces. The saws will be set up outside and there will be a lot of saw dust in that area. We recommend you remove all items that you do not want to dust later. We recommend you cover all doorways outside the areas that are getting new flooring with plastic. Dust particles will still penetrate in those areas but hanging plastic should reduce the amount of dust. Dust will continue to settle for several days after the installation is complete. You may want to hire a cleaning service to clean once we have completed your new floor.

Caring for your new floor
Carefully and gently remove any blue tape on transition pieces. You do not want to damage the finish on the wood. The blue tape must be removed 24 hours after installation is complete. Leave any heavy weight on transitions for at least 72 hours so they will be securely bonded to the floor. Use felt pads on the bottom of furniture that moves (chairs, ottomans, tables, etc) to protect your floor. DO NOT use anything other than felt pads or material type pads. Plastic or metal will cause damage to your floor.

Allow the adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours before moving any furniture back on hardwood floors.

Follow the Manufacturer's Guidelines for cleaning and care of your new floor.

Have a question?

Below is a list of commonly asked questions. Don't see a answer to a question you have? Please don't hesistate to contact us and we will be happy to help

Is an engineered floor the same as laminate?

No. Engineered flooring is a hardwood floor that has a top wear layer, usually 1/8" thick, on the better quality products, and has 3 or more layers, also called "plies". The top wear layer is generally made out of oak, hickory, maple, cherry, etc. Engineered flooring, in most applications, are going to be more durable, stable, cost less, and have a life expectancy greater than a solid floor. Your better quality engineered flooring can also be refinished like a solid wood floor. Engineered flooring can usually be installed by adhesive, nail down (cleats or staples), and in some cases free floated.

Laminate sounds so cheap, would you install a laminate floor in your home?

Yes, and I have laminate in my house and office and I LOVE IT !! If you want an extremely durable product, a laminate floor is worth investing in. There are many laminate floor manufacturers, and a wide variety of styles and colors. The price of laminate flooring is going to vary, but in most cases can be purchased and installed at a lower cost than engineered flooring. Quality laminates are also backed by excellent warranties from the manufacturers.

What is shoe mold/quarter round? And what is its purpose?

Shoe mold or quarter round is the final trim fastened to the baseboard or other trim work to cover expansion gaps. Any solid, engineered or laminate floor needs to have an expansion gap. An expansion gap is usually ¼" - ½" gap between the wood floor and any secure object, whether it be baseboards, sheetrock, concrete, mortar, framing, etc. Hardwood and laminate will expand and contract in reaction to the change to the environment and climate that it is installed. As a precaution, we make sure we leave an expansion on all floors we install. This is absolutely a necessity. Without room for expansion, you're going to have problems.

My husband thinks he's a handy man and wants to install our engineered floor his self. He took a do-it-yourself class and thinks he's a qualified installer. In the mean time I know how much I paid for this floor and I'm a nervous wreck. Do I have a reason to be nervous?

Absolutely. These "DIY" (do it yourself) classes kill me. They usually last a couple hours and tell you just how easy it is to install just about any product. This makes the average handy man leave the store with false confidence. If you are installing a square room, with not a lot of obstacles, such as door jambs, a fireplace, floor receptacles, etc., chances are you'll be fine. Does he have the proper saws and tools? If you're installing solid, engineered or laminate in your more than one room, you've probably made a substantial investment in purchasing the product. You want to make sure your floor is installed properly and professionally. You've made a big investment and would hate to see that investment wasted. You have to make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions so you don't void the warranty but most important, how is your floor going to look when he is done?

Why use Andersen Flooring?

You deal with the owners, David and Cathy, from the beginning to the end of your installation. Not only does David have experience and knowledge, but has been to several schools and seminars across the United States keeping up with the latest skills, tools and news, concerning hardwood and laminate flooring. We take pride in our work and company.

Do you travel outside the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area for installations?

Yes we do. Please contact us for more information on any jobs outside the D/FW metro area.

Can you sell me the flooring I am interested in?

Yes. All we need is the manufacturer name, product name and color. If we can save you money, we will be glad to. You are probably about to make to make a big investment, so it is wise to shop for the best price.

Do you install for homeowner's only or do you do commercial installations?

We are here to serve and will install flooring wherever you need it!

GETTING STARTED

Preparation Guidelines