Solid Hardwood Installation in Ontario, CA
Hardwood Floors Maple Ontario covers solid hardwood for Ontario, CA — boards nailed to a wood subfloor, the choice between factory-finished and sanded-in-place floors, plank widths that fit older bungalows and what to do when the house sits on a slab.
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How a nail-down floor is built
Solid boards are tongue-and-groove strips or planks, usually three-quarters of an inch thick, nailed to a wood subfloor. Felt or paper under the boards lets the floor move a little and keeps squeaks down.
- Joists. The framing under the room, on a raised foundation or between floors.
- Plywood or board subfloor. Flat, dry and secure; this is what the nails bite into.
- Paper or felt underlayment. A thin layer that eases friction between wood and wood.
- Solid boards. Nailed through the tongue at an angle, with a gap left at the walls.
- Finish. Factory-applied, or sanded and coated after the boards are laid.
What the numbers show
- Joists The framing under the room; boards run across them for a stiffer floor.
- Plywood subfloor Flat, dry and secure; this is what the nails bite into.
- Paper or felt A thin layer that eases friction between wood and wood and helps limit squeaks.
- Solid boards Nailed at an angle through the tongue so the nail head is hidden by the next board.
- Wall gap and baseboard A small gap lets the floor expand in damp weather; the baseboard covers it.
Prefinished or finished in place
| Prefinished | Sanded and finished in place | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Factory-applied, uniform | Applied on site, any stain and sheen |
| Time in the house | Days; no drying wait | Often a week or more with sanding and drying |
| Edges | Slight bevel between boards | Flat, boards sanded to one plane |
| Typical Ontario price | $10–$15 per sq ft | $11–$17 per sq ft |
| Best for | Quick turnaround, rentals | Matching an existing floor, a custom color |
A floor finished in place can be matched to the boards beside it in an older house, which is why it suits an addition to a bungalow.
Plank width, species and the house
Narrow strips of two and a quarter inches fit Craftsman and Spanish bungalows, such as those along Euclid Avenue; wider planks of five inches and up suit open modern rooms. Red oak, white oak, maple and hickory are the common species. Hardness is quoted by the Janka scale, and the harder species show scratches less; none is scratch-proof.
What solid hardwood costs in Ontario, CA
| Room | Area | Solid prefinished | Solid, finished in place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | about 300 sq ft | $3,000–$4,500 | $3,300–$5,100 |
| Open main floor | about 600 sq ft | $6,000–$9,000 | $6,600–$10,200 |
| Whole single-story home | about 1,000 sq ft | $10,000–$15,000 | $11,000–$17,000 |
Prices are installed on a wood subfloor in 2026. Removing carpet adds $0.50–$1.50 per square foot, tile $2–$5, and old glued wood $2–$4. These are market estimates, not quotes.
Solid Hardwood Installation — common questions
Can solid hardwood be installed over a concrete slab?
Not glued to the concrete. It goes over a plywood subfloor laid on the slab after a moisture test, or the plan switches to engineered wood.
Is site-finished or prefinished better?
Prefinished is faster and uniform; finishing in place gives a flat surface and a color matched to the room. The choice follows the schedule and whether an existing floor must be matched.
Solid Hardwood Installation: check availability and price range
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