Hardwood Flooring Installation in Durham & Raleigh, NC

Solid Hardwood

Solid Hardwood Flooring: Built for Lasting Beauty

Milled from a single piece of wood, solid hardwood offers timeless beauty and can be sanded and refinished multiple times throughout its lifespan, making it a long-term investment for your home. It is best suited for rooms at or above ground level with stable indoor humidity.

How many times can solid hardwood be refinished?

The answer depends on the amount of wood remaining above the tongue-and-groove joint, known as the wear layer. Each full sanding removes some of this wood, so the floor’s thickness and previous refinishing history help determine whether another sanding is possible.

According to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), several factors affect a floor’s refinishing potential:

• Remaining wear layer: Enough wood must remain above the tongue and groove to allow sanding without exposing fasteners or weakening the boards.

• Floor condition and flatness: Uneven surfaces may require more material removal. Moisture-related problems must be addressed before refinishing.

• Depth of damage: Deep scratches, gouges, and stains may require additional sanding or individual board replacement.

• Equipment and technique: The contractor’s skill, sanding equipment, and abrasive selection influence how much wood is removed.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Natural Beauty with Added Stability

Constructed with a real hardwood top layer bonded over a layered wood core, engineered hardwood combines the beauty of real wood with added dimensional stability. Its construction helps reduce movement caused by changes in temperature and humidity, making it a versatile choice for homes throughout Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill.

Manufacturer-approved products can be installed in basements and over radiant heating when moisture conditions and installation requirements are met. Engineered hardwood still requires proper indoor humidity control and protection from standing water.

Can Engineered Hardwood Be Sanded and Refinished?

Many engineered hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished. Their refinishing potential depends on the remaining thickness of the real-wood surface, known as the wear layer, along with the floor’s condition, previous sanding history, and manufacturer’s recommendations.

The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) generally advises against full sanding when the remaining wear layer is below approximately 2.5 mm (3/32 inch). Its Engineered Wood Flooring Refinishable Program requires a minimum wear layer of 2.5 mm for factory-finished products and 3.2 mm for unfinished products. Textured or distressed products must have at least 2.5 mm at the lowest point to qualify.

Thicker wear layers generally offer greater refinishing potential, but thickness alone does not guarantee a specific number of sandings.

For detailed refinishing guidance, see our refinishing page.

Our Step-by-Step Process

1. In-Home or Showroom Consultation

We assess your space, discuss wood species, plank sizes, and finishes, and provide a detailed, free estimate.

2. Subfloor Preparation

Before any wood goes down, we inspect and prep the subfloor — leveling, repairing, and ensuring it’s clean and dry to prevent future issues. We always use moisture meters to check that subfloors are within standard levels, a leading cause for floor buckling or damage.

3. Acclimation

Hardwood flooring needs time to adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity before installation to help reduce the risk of warping or gaps. We generally recommend allowing seven days for acclimation, although the exact time depends on the flooring manufacturer’s requirements and conditions in your home. Before installation, we check the moisture levels in both the hardwood and subfloor to confirm they meet the requirements for your flooring.

4. Precision Installation

Our installers lay each plank with careful attention to pattern, spacing, and transitions, whether you choose a classic straight layout, herringbone, or a custom design. For wider planks, including some over 4 inches wide, we may combine nailing with a glue-assist method, depending on the flooring manufacturer’s requirements.

For upper-floor installations where sound reduction is a priority, we can use an approved 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch cork underlayment with a double-stick installation. This process involves bonding the cork to the subfloor, then bonding the hardwood to the cork using compatible adhesives. The flooring, cork thickness, and adhesives are selected according to the manufacturers’ specifications.

5. Finishing Touches

We install trim, transitions, and thresholds, then complete a full walkthrough to make sure every board meets our quality standard.

Why Homeowners Choose Triangle Floors

• Locally owned and operated since 2010, with deep experience in Triangle-area homes

• Licensed and insured flooring contractor

• 100+ flooring options, including solid and engineered hardwood in a range of species, widths, and finishes

• Precise, methodical installation process built to prevent common issues like gapping, squeaking, and uneven transitions

• Free in-home or showroom consultation before you commit to a project

• Residential and commercial installation experience

Areas We Serve

Triangle Floors installs hardwood flooring throughout Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding Triangle area.