How to Add Hardwood Floor to Existing Floor

Step 1: Match the Existing Floor

Identify the species, plank width, thickness, and finish of the existing floor before buying new hardwood. Use a moisture meter to check the existing floor moisture content. New boards must acclimate to the same level before installation.

Step 2: Acclimate New Boards

Stack new boards in the room for at least 5-7 days. Check moisture content daily and proceed only when new boards read within 2-4% of the existing floor moisture content.

Step 3: Expose the Integration Point

Remove baseboard and shoe molding at the wall where the new floor begins. The last row of the existing floor has its groove exposed - new boards connect their tongue into this groove. If the last row was face-nailed, you may need to remove and re-lay it to expose the tongue.

Step 4: Install New Boards

Connect the first new row tongue into the groove of the last existing row
Use the tapping block to close the joint tightly
Nail through the tongue using the pneumatic flooring nailer
Continue laying subsequent rows normally, maintaining expansion gaps at all walls
Stagger end joints so they do not align with joints in the existing floor

Step 5: Sand and Blend the Finish

New boards will be lighter than the aged existing floor. Sand the transition area with an orbital sander to feather the old finish into the new wood. Apply matching stain using Minwax PolyShades, then seal with Minwax Water Based Polyurethane. Apply Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer over the entire floor to unify the sheen.

Products Used in This Guide

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