How Long til Hardwood Floors are Usable?

[wingnutthehutt]

This pertains to the house but I'm sure there are some flooring guys around here who would know. My flooring guy pulled a "No, we're supposed to start on Friday, not today" on me this morning. That means he should be done on Wednesday. We're supposed to move in on Saturday. I have people flying in to help. Can I walk/install furniture on these floors?

EDIT:
Main part of the house is original 1953 tongue-and-groove hardwood that is being sanded and refinished for the first time. Kitchen is getting upgraded to hardwood since it's cheaper than anything else we considered (that's another story).

I can hold off putting appliances in the kitchen, mostly concerned about the main residence area.

 

[The Cobbler]

factory finished hardwood can be walked on as soon as it's layed

site applied finish ( polyurethane etc) needs a few days for "lite traffic "

 

[wingnutthehutt]

factory finished hardwood can be walked on as soon as it's layed

site applied finish ( polyurethane etc) needs a few days for "lite traffic "

This will be old school. Stained then poly'd. Thanks.

 

[larry4406]

We do traditional sand on site in our production homes.

First floor typically around 1700-2000 sf and all hardwood.

Install typically 3-5 days. We then wait 2+ weeks for finishing. Other trades in play.

Finishing:
Day 1 - sand
Day 2 - stain
Day 3 - some of the darker stains need a dry day
Day 3 - if stain dry day not needed, first coat poly
Day 4 - shoe mold, prep for 2nd coat poly
Day 5 - second coat poly
Day 6 - cover floors.

My hardwood guy says the poly takes 3 weeks or so to get maximum hardness.

Never slide furniture or boxes on hardwood floors.

Good luck. Not something to rush.

The time dedication detailed above is why many default to prefinished.

 

[SilverSS1969]

I'd ask your flooring guys. It can very on the Product and brands he is using.

 

[wingnutthehutt]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

We used the same guy to refinish two bedrooms in the house we just sold, but can't remember the timeline he recommended. He is insanely cheap, everything above is less than $5k, but he is difficult to communicate with. Very small business. It's that whole "Pick two, quick, cheap, or well' thing I guess. His delay is potentially going to eat up all that savings, though, so I am kinda pissed.

 

[jake00]

I do hardwood for a living,
Depends on the finish, Uv cured finish is good the day it's laid . Some conversion varnishes are fully cured in 7 days most finishes take 30 days,

You can generally pickup and set furniture down the next day or 2, DO NOT put area rugs down.

 

[wingnutthehutt]

Thanks Jake. I had read that about area rugs. How long generally til they can go back down?

We made a fuss, and I think got his wife on the phone, so now he's starting on Thursday. AND working through the weekend. That puts the job completion date on 8/1. Three full days of the house venting and no traffic before we start moving stuff inside on the 5th. And I think I'm gonna leave the fridge and stove in the garage for a couple extra days.