How to Finish Hardwood Floor Installation

What Finishing Steps Are Left After the Last Board?

Once the last board is laid, the floor isn't finished. The finishing steps include installing transitions at doorways, reinstalling or installing new baseboards and shoe molding, sanding and finishing if the floor was installed unfinished, and doing a final inspection and touch-up. These steps transform a raw installation into a polished, professional result.

Step 1: Remove All Spacers

Remove every spacer from around the perimeter of the room. Check that the expansion gap is consistent - typically 3/4 inch for nail-down and 3/8 to 1/2 inch for floating installations. Any spacers left in place will prevent the baseboard from sitting flush against the wall.

Step 2: Install Transition Strips at Doorways

Every doorway where the hardwood meets a different flooring type needs a transition strip. The Maxiroc Floor Transition Strip is self-adhesive and covers height differences up to 5mm - ideal for transitions between hardwood and carpet, tile, or vinyl. Cut to length with a hacksaw or tin snips and press firmly into place.

Types of transitions:

T-molding - for same-height floors meeting at a doorway
Reducer - for transitioning from a higher floor to a lower floor
End cap/threshold - where the floor meets a sliding door or exterior threshold

Step 3: Install Baseboards and Shoe Molding

Baseboards cover the expansion gap at the walls and give the installation a finished look. Install baseboards so they sit just above the floor surface - they should not press down on the floor, which would restrict expansion. Nail baseboards to the wall studs, not to the floor.

Shoe molding (quarter round) fills any remaining gap between the baseboard and floor. Nail shoe molding to the baseboard, not the floor.

Step 4: Reinstall Door Casings and Undercut Doors

If you undercut door casings to slide flooring underneath, reinstall any removed casing pieces. Check that doors clear the new floor height - you may need to trim the bottom of doors that now drag on the floor.

Step 5: Sand and Finish (Unfinished Hardwood Only)

If you installed unfinished hardwood, now is the time to sand and finish. Use an orbital sander for the final smoothing pass, apply stain if desired, then seal with Minwax Water Based Polyurethane in 2-3 coats. See our full refinishing guide for detailed instructions.

Step 6: Final Inspection and Touch-Up

Walk the entire floor and listen for squeaks - address any immediately before furniture is moved in
Check all transitions and baseboards for gaps
Fill any nail holes in face-nailed areas with color-matched wood filler
Clean the floor thoroughly with Bona Professional Hardwood Floor Cleaner to remove all construction dust and debris

Step 7: Apply Initial Protective Treatment

Apply Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer as the first maintenance treatment on pre-finished floors. This adds a fresh protective layer and gives the floor a beautiful initial shine.

Products Used in This Guide

Maxiroc Floor Transition Strip Self-Adhesive 40" - doorway transitions between flooring types
DEWALT 20V Orbital Sander - final sanding for unfinished hardwood
Minwax Water Based Polyurethane - finish coat for unfinished hardwood
Bona Professional Hardwood Floor Cleaner - post-installation cleanup
Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer - initial protective treatment

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