Hardwood Floors in a New Home: What You Really Need to Know

When you’re building a hardwood floors, a durable, natural flooring option made from solid wood planks, commonly chosen for homes for their longevity and aesthetic appeal. Also known as solid wood flooring, it’s one of the most lasting investments you’ll make in a new home. But putting them in too soon can ruin them. New homes shift, dry out, and settle—sometimes for months. If you install hardwood floors before the house stabilizes, you’ll likely end up with gaps, squeaks, or warped boards. Most builders recommend waiting at least six months after drywall is up and the heating system is running before laying hardwood.

That’s because new home construction, the process of building a house from the ground up, including framing, insulation, plumbing, and finishes. Also known as custom home build, it involves materials that release moisture over time—especially concrete slabs, plaster, and drywall. That moisture doesn’t vanish overnight. If your hardwood is installed while the air is still damp, the wood will absorb it, swell, and then shrink later as everything dries out. The result? Cracks between boards. You don’t want to pay for beautiful floors only to have them fail because you rushed.

flooring options, the variety of materials available for home interiors, including hardwood, laminate, tile, and vinyl. Also known as interior flooring, each has trade-offs in cost, maintenance, and timing. Hardwood looks great and lasts decades, but it’s not the only choice. Laminate and engineered wood are more forgiving in new builds because they’re less sensitive to moisture swings. Engineered wood, made with a thin layer of real wood on top of plywood, can be installed earlier and still hold up well. But if you’re set on solid hardwood, patience pays off. Plan your install for late in the build, after all wet trades are done and the HVAC is running consistently.

Another thing most people forget: hardwood installation, the process of laying wood flooring, which includes acclimating the wood, preparing the subfloor, and securing the planks. Also known as wood floor fitting, it’s not just about nailing boards down. The subfloor has to be flat, dry, and clean. If it’s not, even the best wood will fail. And the wood itself needs to sit in the house for 7–14 days before installation to adjust to the humidity and temperature. Skip that step, and you’re gambling with your investment.

Don’t assume your builder will handle this right. Many don’t. Ask for the moisture content report on your subfloor before installation. Get it in writing. And if you’re choosing between a builder who pushes you to install floors early versus one who waits, pick the one who waits. It’s not about being difficult—it’s about protecting your home.

What you’ll find below are real stories and practical guides from people who’ve been through it—whether it’s how to pick the right wood species for high-traffic areas, why some finishes crack after six months, or how to fix a buckled floor without replacing the whole thing. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re lessons learned the hard way.