Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Flooring
Q. What is engineered hardwood flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is flooring manufactured by using hardwood with a cross-directional laminated construction (usually 3 to 5 layers), with a top layer of premium hardwood. The best suppliers use only USA northern native hardwoods, and is 100% hardwood construction. Other companies may use hardwood substitutes, and a thinner top layer. Premium products should not be confused with flooring that is made to look like wood.
Q. Why would people choose prefinished over unfinished flooring?
Prefinished flooring has a great advantage over unfinished flooring. Both floors install exactly the same, however, once the prefinished floor is installed you're all done. The only thing you have left to do is move the furniture back into the room and enjoy. An unfinished floor requires sanding and then the application of urethane. This can take an extra couple of days labor with an incomparable amount of aggravation. Prefinished floors also have an incredible finish warranty usually consisting of 10-25 years depending on the brand of flooring.
Q. Can your flooring be glued to concrete?
Yes, you can glue engineered flooring directly to concrete: on, above or below grade. However, it is important to test the concrete for moisture before installing hardwood flooring, for below grade applications if moisture is present then a moisture barrier is recommended.
Q. What advantage does engineered flooring have over solid hardwood flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is very versatile and more stable than solid flooring. For example, engineered hardwood flooring can be glued, stapled, or nailed to virtually any subfloor, concrete, wood, linoleum, or even over existing hardwood floors. The cross directional layup of the products counteracts the natural tendency of wood to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, making engineered flooring inherently dimensionally more stable than solid products.
Q. Which type of wood is the hardest?
All hardwoods that are used for flooring are very dependable and resilient. They do have their different scales of hardness that you will find by referring to the Janka Hardness and Stability Chart. Some of the more popular species of wood that are used for flooring are Hard Maple, Red Oak, Cherry, Ash, and Birch. Of these species listed, even though they do have different scales of hardness, you will not see a great difference under normal wear and tear.
Q. Why should I buy Prefinished Flooring versus Unfinished Flooring?
Unfinished flooring installed by a professional gives the most options regarding sheen and custom colors. Prefinished flooring is convenient. There is less time involved in installation and less mess. Changes in humidity will not crack the finish between two individual planks as they can move independently.
Q. Why is prefinished microbevelled?
When a floor is sanded in your home minor differences in the subfloor and wood thickness are corrected. Our tiny microbevel is to insure stocking feet do not catch on the edge of the floor.
Q. Can I install a solid 3/4" hardwood floor in my basement?
Solid 3/4" Hardwood flooring cannot be installed below grade (below the soil line) or over concrete. When a solid product encounters moisture it reacts very negatively. Therefore, engineered flooring must be used. Engineered flooring is constructed by fusing 3 - 7 or more plys of material together to form a product with unprecedented strength and durability. An engineered product is very similar with the exception that they usually have a real wood layer on top of the constructed core.
Q. Why are there gaps in between the boards on my floor?
During the summer months of the year, there is a lot of humidity in the air. Your hardwood floor soaks up this humidity and expands. As the winter months roll around, and the heat is turned on, the floor dries out and starts to gap. There are a couple of tips we recommend to try and avoid this problem. Try to keep the room at a constant 45% humidity level using an air conditioner, humidifier, or a dehumidifier. Also, prior to installation, let your floor acclimate to its surroundings. Two weeks before the floor is to be laid, bring the flooring into the area where the floor is to be installed. Stack the flooring 3-4 bundles high leaving a 6"-7" space between the stacks. This will allow air to circulate between the stacks and for your flooring to properly acclimate.
Q. What type of care is required for my hardwood floor?
Unfinished hardwood floors do not require waxing, most often just a light damp mopping will clean your floor. Some cleaners can be used infrequently to maintain the floors. For more information go to the NWFA website.
For prefinished floors, use only floor cleaners with no residue or abrasives. Do not wax, polish, or buff. Occasionally clean the floor with a professional floor cleaner.
Q What are the names of DOMESTIC & IMPORTED Wood Flooring Species:
DOMESTIC:Ash - Beech - Birch - Cherry - Douglas Fir - Heart Pine - Hickory Pecan Maple (Hard) - Mesquite - Red Oak - Walnut - White Oak - Yellow Pine
IMPORTED: Brazilian Cherry - Cypress (Australian) - Jarrah - Mahogany (Santos) - Merbau - Padauk (African) - Purpleheart - Rubberwood - Teak (Thia/Burmese) - Wenge
Q How do I choose the right type of wood flooring?
A. Choosing the right kind and style of wood flooring is not hard if you are familiar with several industry terms.
Choice #1: Unfinished wood flooring:
Unfinished flooring is a product that must be job-site sanded and finished after installation.
Choice #2: Pre-finished wood flooring:
Pre-finished flooring is factory sanded and finished flooring that only needs installation.
Choice #3: Solid wood flooring:
Solid wood flooring is completely lumber. It is available in unfinished and pre-finished. Solid wood flooring is produced in:
Strip - in thickness of 5/16" to 3/4" in widths of 1 1/2, 2" and 2 1/4"
Plank - in thickness of 1/2" or 3/4" and widths of 3" to 8"
Parquet - geometrical patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive
Choice #4: Engineered wood flooring:
Engineered wood flooring is produced by bonding layers of veneer and lumber with an adhesive. Engineered wood flooring is available in pre-finished and unfinished. These products are more dimensionally stable and are ideal for glue-down installation or float-in installation above grade, on grade or below grade, including basements and humid climates. Engineered wood flooring is produced in:
Strip - thickness of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" and in widths of 2" and 2 1/4"
Plank - thickness of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" and in widths of 3" to 8"
Parquet - one-piece wood tile available in 9" x 9" or 8" x 8" and other patterns
