CDS Hardwood Floors

Hardwood Floor Installation in Maryland, Virginia & DC

Quick Answer

Hardwood floor installation is the professional layout of new solid or engineered wood planks over a properly prepared subfloor, including acclimation, nailing or gluing, sanding and finishing.

MHIC #141267

Fully Insured & Bonded

15+ Years Experience

Family-Owned

CDS Hardwood Floors installs premium solid, engineered and wide-plank hardwood in homes and commercial spaces across Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Washington DC metro. Every installation starts with moisture testing and subfloor preparation — the two steps most cheap installers skip and the reason most new floors cup, gap or squeak within a year.

We install the full range of formats — traditional strip, wide plank up to 10", herringbone, chevron, and custom borders and inlays. Our crews are trained on premium mill product from Bruce, Mirage, Somerset, Shaw and Mohawk, and we're happy to install owner-supplied material when the mill and grade are appropriate.

Whether you're building a new luxury home in Potomac, updating a rowhouse in Georgetown or replacing carpet in a Fairfax colonial, our installations are designed to look and perform beautifully for decades.

Key Takeaways

Insist on written moisture readings before install day
Acclimate material in the actual space for at least 72 hours
Engineered hardwood is required over concrete slabs and radiant heat
A well-installed solid oak floor can outlast the house

Benefits

• Adds long-term value — hardwood floors outperform every other flooring surface at resale
• Hypoallergenic — no carpet fibers to trap dust, dander or VOCs
• Refinishable — a well-installed solid floor can be sanded 4–7 times over its life
• Timeless — hardwood works in modern, traditional and transitional interiors
• Warmer, quieter feel underfoot than tile or luxury vinyl

Our Process

1. Free on-site consultation
We measure, discuss species, plank width, direction, stain and finish, and walk you through samples on site.
2. Written estimate within 24 hours
Line-itemed pricing with no hidden charges, plus a proposed timeline.
3. Material acclimation
Hardwood sits in the space 3–7 days to match its humidity — critical in the DMV where seasonal swings are severe.
4. Subfloor prep
Moisture testing, leveling, fastening loose panels, adding vapor barrier where needed.
5. Installation
Nail-down, glue-down or floating depending on species and subfloor type.
6. Sanding & finishing (unfinished only)
Multi-grit sequence, custom stain and 2–3 coats of Bona or Loba finish.
7. Final walkthrough
You inspect before we invoice. Anything you're not satisfied with, we correct.

Ready to talk about your project?

Schedule a consultation (240) 731-7030

Materials We Use

• Solid hardwood — white oak, red oak, walnut, maple, hickory, ash
• Engineered hardwood for slabs, radiant heat and basements
• Wide-plank options up to 10" widths
• Herringbone and chevron patterns
• Bona and Loba commercial-grade finishes

What to Expect

• A clean, respectful crew that arrives on time and protects adjacent surfaces
• Daily communication with the project lead
• Furniture moved and returned as agreed in your estimate
• Dust containment during any sanding phase
• A written punch list and final walkthrough before payment

What Affects Pricing

We don't publish flat pricing — every home is different. These are the factors we weigh in your written estimate:

• Total square footage and layout complexity
• Species and grade — white oak and walnut cost more than red oak or maple
• Plank width — wider planks cost more per SF
• Pattern — herringbone and chevron require significantly more labor
• Subfloor condition and any leveling or repairs required
• Stair treads, transitions, borders and custom millwork
• Removal and disposal of existing flooring

Common Problems & How We Solve Them

Cupping or crowning after installation

Nearly always caused by skipping acclimation or moisture testing. We test both subfloor and material before install.

Gaps in winter

Normal seasonal movement, but excessive gapping means the wood was over-humidified during install. We install to spec humidity.

Squeaks

Loose subfloor panels. We re-screw and glue plywood subfloors before laying hardwood.

Maintenance Tips

• Sweep or vacuum weekly with a soft-brush attachment
• Damp mop monthly with a pH-neutral wood cleaner (Bona is our go-to)
• Never wet-mop or use vinegar, steam or oil soap
• Add felt pads to all furniture legs
• Screen and recoat every 5–7 years; full refinish every 15–25 years

Warranty & Guarantee

CDS Hardwood Floors installations are backed by a 1-year workmanship warranty against installation defects. Manufacturer warranties on the flooring itself (typically 25 years to lifetime) are transferred to you in full.

Why Choose CDS Hardwood Floors

Family-owned, licensed (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded, with 15+ years serving Maryland, Virginia, DC, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Our craftsmanship has earned us landmark commercial work (including DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC) alongside thousands of luxury residential projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does hardwood floor installation take in a typical home?

Most residential projects are completed within 3–7 working days, depending on square footage, drying times and any repairs required. We provide a firm timeline in your written estimate.

Do I need to move out during hardwood floor installation?

In most cases, no. Our dustless equipment keeps the home habitable, though we recommend staying off finished areas for 24–72 hours to let the finish cure.

Can I schedule a consultation?

Yes. Every hardwood floor installation project starts with a free on-site consultation and a detailed written quote, usually delivered within 24 hours.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. CDS Hardwood Floors is a Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded for your protection.