Hardwood Floors
Is Hardwood Flooring Right for Me? An Honest Look
An honest look at hardwood flooring, what it does well, where it struggles, what it costs in 2026 and who should choose vinyl plank or laminate instead.
Real Wood, Laid Tight and Square
Hardwood Flooring Installation in Glenview, IL
Solid hardwood can last for decades when it goes down right. Quality Installs has installed floors since 2004, and every installer on the job is licensed, bonded and insured.
- 5.0Google rating from 11 reviews
- Since 2004Family-owned and operated
- 10,000+Projects completed
- Licensed, bonded and insuredMaximum general liability and workers’ comp
Solid Hardwood Floors, Installed to Last
Hardwood is the floor most people picture in a finished home. It's warm underfoot, it suits almost any style, and solid boards can be sanded and refinished down the road instead of replaced.
How long a hardwood floor lasts depends a lot on the install. The subfloor has to be flat and solid, the wood has to match the moisture level in your home, and every board needs room to move with the seasons.
Bob Leibrandt founded Quality Installs in 2004 and still runs it. We're a family-owned flooring company in Glenview with more than 10,000 projects completed and installers who bring over 100 years of combined experience. Bob's story tells how it all started.
What Hardwood Installation Includes
Measuring and Layout
Every job starts with measuring the rooms and planning the layout, including which way the boards run and where transitions fall. On a nail-down floor, running the boards across the floor joists gives them the strongest support.
Moisture Readings
Wood swells and shrinks with humidity, so the subfloor and the boards both get checked with a moisture meter before installation. National Wood Flooring Association guidelines call for the subfloor to read no more than 4 percentage points above strip flooring, or 2 points above planks 3 inches and wider.
Nailing Down the Boards
Solid hardwood is nailed through the tongue of each board into a wood subfloor, over an underlayment such as roofing felt. End joints are staggered so the seams don't line up and the floor looks natural.
Trim, Transitions and Cleanup
Hardwood needs a gap at the walls to expand into, and trim covers it. Transitions finish the edges where the new floor meets tile, carpet or another room, and the job wraps up with cleanup and a walkthrough.
Choosing a Hardwood Species
The species sets the color, the grain and how well the floor holds up to wear. Hardness is measured on the Janka scale, where a higher number means a harder wood.
Red Oak
Red oak has a bold grain with red and rust undertones, and it averages around 1,290 on the Janka scale. It's a classic that fits rustic, traditional and modern rooms alike.
White Oak
White oak is a bit harder, at around 1,360, with a tighter grain and grayish-brown undertones that work with warm or cool finishes. It's a durable pick for active households.
Hickory
Hickory averages around 1,800, well above either oak, and its boards swing from light to dark with natural knots. It suits rustic and natural styles and stands up well to kids and pets.
Subfloor and Site Prep for Hardwood
A hardwood floor is only as good as what's under it. The subfloor should be plywood or OSB that's dry, fastened tight and flat to within 3/16 inch over 10 feet. Loose panels get screwed down first, since subfloor movement is the top cause of squeaks in nail-down floors.
Solid hardwood isn't made for below-grade rooms, so basements are better suited to vinyl plank installation. On a concrete slab at or above ground level, the installation method changes and the concrete needs a moisture test first.
The house should be at normal living conditions before the wood arrives, with the heat or air conditioning running. The rooms also need to be cleared before install day. [Bob to confirm: whether the crew moves furniture or homeowners clear the rooms first]
How Long Hardwood Installation Takes
The schedule depends on the square footage, the number of rooms and hallways, how much subfloor work turns up and whether old flooring has to come out first.
Acclimation is part of the timeline too. Industry guidelines treat it as a moisture target rather than a set number of days, so the wood goes down once its readings line up with your home and the subfloor.
The finish matters as well. Prefinished boards are ready soon after they're down, while unfinished boards get sanded, stained and finished in place, which adds work and drying time. [Bob to confirm: whether Quality Installs installs unfinished hardwood and handles the on-site sanding and finishing]
What Affects the Cost of Hardwood Installation
Every estimate is free and based on your rooms, so the number reflects your job instead of a national average. These are the factors that move it most.
What moves the price
- Square footage, plus how many rooms, closets and hallways the floor runs through
- The species, grade and board width you choose
- Removing and disposing of the old flooring
- Subfloor repairs, like fastening loose panels or fixing low spots
- Trim, transitions and the number of doorways
Laid Out Step by Step
Four steps from the first call to the final walkthrough.
Free Estimate
Call or send the form, and the crew measures your rooms and quotes the job for free.
Pick Your Floor
Hardwood, vinyl plank or laminate, matched to the room, the foot traffic and the budget.
Installation
The crew preps the subfloor and lays the new floor, with a quick turnaround.
Final Walkthrough
You walk the finished floor with the crew, and the job site is left clean.
Floored by the Details
“Absolutely fantastic job! Quality Installs exceeded our expectations!
Excellent communication from management, very reasonable prices, professional, fast and clean work. Really pleased to have them doing our flooring project. Will definitely contact them in the future and recommend the company.”
“Quality Installs is a business that lives up to its name. Work is thorough, communication is punctual, and working with Bob was a pleasant experience. His team is diligent and they pay attention to detail. Highly recommend!”
“The team exhibited a remarkable level of professionalism, executed the task with exceptional speed, and the results they delivered were nothing short of remarkable.”
Questions Before We Start
Still have a question? Call (847) 361-0099.
Can Hardwood Go in a Basement?
Solid hardwood isn't suitable below grade, where moisture from the ground and the slab is a constant risk. Many vinyl plank products are approved for basements, and they come in convincing wood looks.
Is Engineered Hardwood the Same as Solid Hardwood?
No. Solid hardwood is one piece of wood all the way through, while engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer over a layered core, which makes it more stable where humidity swings. [Bob to confirm: whether Quality Installs installs engineered hardwood]
What's the Best Hardwood for Dogs and Kids?
Harder species like hickory and white oak resist dents better than softer woods, and a matte or satin finish hides scratches better than a glossy one. Felt pads under furniture and a rug at each door help too.
How Do I Care for a New Hardwood Floor?
Sweep or vacuum often, wipe up spills right away and skip wet mops and steam cleaners. Keeping indoor humidity steady through Chicago winters also helps keep gaps from opening between boards.
Is the Installation Guaranteed?
Yes. Quality Installs backs every installation with a one-year guarantee. If something about the install doesn't look right in that first year, call us at (847) 361-0099.
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Ready to Turn Your House Into a Home?
Tell us about your rooms and the look you're after, and we'll set up a free hardwood estimate. You can also call (847) 361-0099, Monday to Saturday.
(847) 361-0099- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.