Hardwood Installation
Hardwood floor installation in Chicagoland
Plan your hardwood installation estimate
Explore hardwood floor installation in Chicago and Chicagoland, from prefinished solid wood to engineered and unfinished hardwood. Royal helps you compare the selected flooring, installation method, subfloor preparation, and finishing details for your rooms.
Choose a system for the room
Solid and engineered hardwood have different installation requirements. Record the room’s level, subfloor, existing flooring, and any known moisture concerns for Royal to review with the selected product.
Include the finishing details
List thresholds, trim, stairs, removal, and furniture handling. Installation method, moisture checks, preparation, and acclimation must follow the product’s requirements and actual site conditions.
Hardwood floor installation cost
Solid or engineered wood, board size, grade, and finish affect the material price. Nail-down, glue-down, or other approved installation methods have different requirements. Include removal, preparation, trim, stairs, and any on-site sanding and finishing when comparing the full project.
What affects hardwood floor installation cost per square foot?
The selected wood and finish, purchased material quantity, installation method, subfloor preparation, layout, and selected services all affect cost. A prefinished floor and a floor installed, sanded, and finished on site have different scopes. Compare itemized estimates using the same measured rooms.
Is hardwood installation labor included in the material price?
Check the written estimate for material and installation labor, then review removal, preparation, stairs, trim, and finishing. Comparing the same complete scope makes it easier to choose between flooring options.
Should I install new hardwood or refinish the floor I have?
Start with an assessment of the existing floor and your design goals. Refinishing may preserve suitable existing wood; new installation can change the product, board size, or layout. Compare repairs and finish work with the complete replacement scope.
Discuss your rooms, product choices, and installation needs with Royal. Call 708-430-4663 to review your project and confirm service at your address.
Explore planning advice for your area:
Start Your Flooring ProjectExplore Hardwood
Hardwood flooring guidance for every decision.
Compare hardwood types, installation choices, maintenance, and warranty basics.
Full-Service Hardwood Installation
Hardwood installation deserves a more careful plan.
Hardwood is a long-term investment. Royal helps with product selection, measuring, furniture planning, old flooring removal, subfloor review, moisture awareness, installation, finishing details, cleanup, haul away, and final walkthrough.
Solid hardwood installation
Traditional real-wood installation for main levels, bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, stairs, and long-term hardwood homes.
Engineered hardwood installation
Real hardwood surface with layered construction, popular for many room types, wide plank styles, condos, and select lower-level spaces.
Prefinished or sand and stain on-site
Royal installs factory-finished hardwood and can also help with site-finished hardwood projects that are sanded, stained, and finished on site.
Full-service project planning
Furniture moving, old flooring removal, cleanup, haul away, subfloor prep, transitions, and final walkthrough are reviewed before installation.
Prefinished Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood installation with a classic real-wood feel.
Prefinished solid hardwood is selected when homeowners want traditional real wood construction and a finished look that arrives ready from the factory. Royal reviews the room, subfloor, layout, transitions, and finishing details before installation begins.
- One solid piece of real hardwood
- Factory-finished plank options available
- Ideal for many main-level and above-grade rooms
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood installation for real wood with layered support.
Engineered hardwood gives homeowners a real hardwood surface over a layered core. Royal helps review subfloor, room location, moisture conditions, plank width, layout, and installation method before recommending the right product.
- Real hardwood surface layer
- Layered core for added dimensional stability
- Popular for wide plank looks and many room conditions
Sand + Stain On-Site
Site-finished hardwood for custom stain and finish goals.
Some hardwood projects are sanded, stained, and finished on site. This approach can help homeowners achieve a custom look, connect with existing hardwood, or plan a finish that fits the home’s style.
- Sand and stain work completed on site
- Custom stain and finish direction
- Helpful for matching, refinishing, or site-finished hardwood goals
Full-Service Installation
Royal handles the project details from prep to walkthrough.
Hardwood installation is more than placing boards. The project may include furniture moving, removal, subfloor review, moisture questions, layout planning, transitions, trim details, cleanup, haul away, and putting standard furniture back.
- Furniture moving and furniture put-back reviewed before installation
- Removal, cleanup, and haul away planning
- Subfloor, transitions, trim, stairs, and final walkthrough
Hardwood installation project photos
Installing hardwood boards over the prepared subfloor
Completed hardwood flooring in a room with a large window
Completed hardwood flooring beside the stair railing
What’s Included
A cleaner hardwood installation process from start to finish.
Every hardwood project is different, but Royal reviews the details that make installation cleaner, safer, and easier for the homeowner.
Furniture Moving + Put Back
Royal reviews standard furniture moving and furniture put-back during the estimate. Specialty, oversized, fragile, or electronic items should be discussed ahead of time.
Existing Flooring Removal
Old flooring removal is planned before installation so the hardwood project starts with the right foundation.
Cleanup + Haul Away
Royal helps clean the work area and haul away normal project debris so the home feels more finished after installation.
Subfloor Review + Prep
Hardwood needs a proper foundation. Subfloor condition, flatness, fastening, and prep needs are reviewed before and during the project.
Moisture + Humidity Awareness
All real hardwood responds to moisture and seasonal humidity. Royal reviews room conditions and installation concerns before recommending options.
Solid Hardwood Installation
Royal installs solid hardwood flooring for homeowners who want traditional real wood construction and long-term hardwood beauty.
Engineered Hardwood Installation
Royal installs engineered hardwood for customers who want real hardwood with layered construction and added installation flexibility.
Sand + Stain On-Site
For site-finished hardwood projects, sanding, staining, and finishing are planned around the home, color goals, and project conditions.
Transitions, Trim + Details
Transitions, trim, closets, stairs, doorway details, and final walkthrough items are part of a clean hardwood installation plan.
Installation Timeline
How hardwood installation works with Royal.
The process is simple to understand: estimate, product selection, room review, prep, installation or finishing, cleanup, and walkthrough.
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01
Start your free hardwood estimate.
Measure your rooms, then review stairs, removal, furniture moving, transitions, and the installation services your project needs.
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02
Product and installation planning
Choose solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, prefinished hardwood, or site-finished hardwood based on room conditions and design goals.
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03
Subfloor and project review
Subfloor condition, moisture questions, old flooring removal, furniture, access, stairs, and transitions are reviewed before installation.
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04
Removal and preparation
Existing flooring is removed as planned, the work area is prepared, and the hardwood installation details are set up.
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05
Hardwood installation or on-site finishing
The crew installs the hardwood. For site-finished projects, sanding, staining, and finish coats are handled according to the project plan.
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06
Cleanup and final walkthrough
Royal cleans the work area, hauls away normal debris, reviews final details, and completes the project walkthrough.
Installation Day Reminder
One adult age 18 or older should be present on installation day.
An adult must provide access, review the work areas, answer questions, and be available for project details if needed.
Quick Answers
Hardwood installation questions homeowners ask first.
Straight answers about solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, prefinished hardwood, sand and stain, furniture, removal, subfloor prep, moisture, timing, and installed pricing.
Does Royal install both solid and engineered hardwood?
Yes. Royal installs solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. We help compare both options based on your rooms, subfloor, moisture conditions, design goals, and budget.
Does Royal install prefinished hardwood?
Yes. Royal installs prefinished hardwood flooring, including solid and engineered hardwood options that arrive factory-finished.
Does Royal do sand and stain hardwood on site?
Yes. Royal can help with site-finished hardwood projects where sanding, staining, and finishing are completed on site based on the project plan.
Do you move furniture for hardwood installation?
Royal reviews standard furniture moving and furniture put-back during the estimate. Specialty, oversized, fragile, valuable, or electronic items should be moved by the customer or discussed ahead of time.
Do you remove old flooring and haul away debris?
Yes. Removal and haul away are reviewed in the project plan. Royal can remove existing flooring and haul away normal installation debris.
Does hardwood installation need subfloor prep?
Often, yes. Hardwood needs a proper foundation. Subfloor flatness, condition, fastening, moisture concerns, and prep needs are reviewed before and during the project.
Does moisture or humidity matter for hardwood installation?
Yes. All real hardwood responds to moisture and seasonal humidity. Product choice, acclimation, subfloor conditions, and room conditions all matter.
Can engineered hardwood be installed in basements?
Engineered hardwood is often considered for basements depending on the product, subfloor, moisture conditions, and installation method. Royal reviews those details during the estimate.
How long does hardwood installation take?
Timing depends on square footage, furniture, removal, subfloor prep, stairs, layout, product type, and whether the project is prefinished or sanded and stained on site.
Can Royal install hardwood on stairs?
Yes. Hardwood stairs, transitions, trim, and related details are reviewed during the estimate because stair work requires careful planning.
Do I need an adult home on installation day?
Yes. One adult age 18 or older should be present to provide access, review the work areas, and answer questions if needed.
How do I get an accurate hardwood installation price?
A useful estimate needs accurate room measurements, your product selections, and the services the project requires. Self Quote brings these details together; site conditions are reviewed before installation.
Ready for Hardwood?
Build your hardwood installation project.
Explore hardwood species, grades, plank widths, and finishes. Save room measurements and compare materials, removal, subfloor preparation, stairs, and installation in your estimate. Royal helps confirm the plan before work begins.
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