Flooring installation is one of the major and most modern changes that you apply in your home when you do a renovation. But before planning new flooring installation, it’s a smart thing to know how long it’s going to take.
The schedule for new flooring installation will be determined by the selection of flooring, the dimensions of the room, and the level of difficulty of the job. Generally, it takes just a couple of days to finish flooring installation; however, some types of flooring are completed quickly than others. There are a number of factors that determine the time of flooring installation, such as whether you hire a pro, the quality of the material, and the different types of flooring that need different amounts of time.
Average Timeline of Common Flooring Type Installations
Each type of flooring has its own “speed.” The time for installation may vary significantly, but here’s an approximate breakdown of the installation times:
- Hardwood: Generally, the installation of hardwood in a standard room takes 1 to 2 days, or more to be exact, depending on the wood species, room size, and how complicated the layout is. Additionally, wood generally requires some time for “settling” besides acclimatizing to the room temperature and humidity before being nailed or glued down.
- Laminate: This is among the quickest options. A skilled professional or even a DIYer can easily finish it in one day for a medium-sized room. The interlocking nature of the planks is a factor that considerably speeds up the installation process, especially for simple layouts.
- Tile (Ceramic or Porcelain): Time-consuming, this is inevitable with laying tiles carefully, and then the mortar and grout have to set. If you are working with a complex pattern or have a lot of angles to cover, expect the timeline to stretch even longer.
- Vinyl (Plank or Sheet): Possibly the quickest of all the major flooring options. Depending on the room size, it could take just a few hours or up to one day to complete if you decide on planks or sheets. Most of the time, vinyl is installed over the existing floor, thereby saving a lot of time.
- Carpet: The installation of carpet is very fast. For a typical room, an installer can usually finish in a few hours. Larger or oddly shaped spaces might take up to a full day, but still, this is one of the faster installs.
Factors that Affect the Timeline of Flooring Installation
Some materials just demand more work:
- Subfloor Prep: If the surface isn’t leveled or there is an old floor to be removed, additional work and costs should be anticipated.
- Material Handling: Wood and tiles are the heaviest, require the most precision, and their processing very often involves more cutting or custom fitting.
- Setting Time: Tiling requires time for mortar and grout to dry/set. With wood, the control of the humidity is important.
- Installation Method: Floating floors (like many laminates) are the fastest among all the installation methods; nail down and glue down are slower.
- Finishing Touches: Additional cleaning, installation of baseboards, door trims, and even transitions between rooms require extra time, especially in corners or around doors.
- Room Size & Shape: For a small, square room, much less time will be needed than for a large area with bended corners or stairs.
- How Much Prep Work Is Needed: If the old floor has to be removed or if the base layer (subfloor) is uneven, then delays should be expected.
- Condition of the Subfloor: If there are bumps, dips, or damage underneath, fixing that takes time, especially for materials like tile or hardwood.
Tips to Save Time for Flooring Installation
If you want the installation to go smoothly and finish on time, here are some practical suggestions:
- Measure Carefully: Accurate measurements will mean fewer surprises and less waste of materials.
- Prep in Advance: Remove the furniture, old floor covering if possible, and the problem of the subfloor should be addressed beforehand.
- Hire Professionals: Expert hiring may be costly; however, for complicated materials (like tile or hardwood), the time can be reduced significantly.
- Simple Patterns: If time is limited, do not opt for intricate tile layouts.
- Weather Conditions: For wood, make sure the room has a stable condition, the temperature should be balanced, it shouldn’t be humid or very cold, so that the wood gets acclimatized properly.
- Contact Installer: Ask for a rough schedule. Knowing their expected completion date allows you to plan your next actions (like cleaning or moving furniture).
Final Thoughts
How much time is needed for flooring installation? That’s a tricky question. With vinyl and carpet, you can complete the job in a matter of hours or one day. Laminate flooring is also quick. The case is that it often needs hardwood and tile installations to last longer, and even giving them a few days or more will be insufficient, especially if one considers work or material-related requirements.
It’s the better option to plan ahead: correct measuring, considering what installation (or you) is going to do regarding preparation, and telling the honest time, thus you won’t get disappointed.
Flooring installation time frame, once you have the time in hand, will be less stressful for you, and you will not be surprised when the work has already started. In the long run, it is not a question of speed alone; it is more about a floor that you will enjoy for many years.