Two questions... 1) does the floor have a rubber smell, or does this disappear? 2) We have wood floors. Can I lay this directly over with no issue or potential damage ?

Our 3/8" Sport-Lock Rubber Tiles do have a slight odor to them that can be mitigated by mopping the tiles with a mild soap and water solution and letting them air dry. These rubber tiles can be installed over hardwood flooring without causing any staining to the wood, but if you are concerned about this issue, we do recommend placing a plastic sheet under the tiles to protect your hardwood flooring.