Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood Flooring is one of the most unique products to use in your home or business. Hardwood Flooring planks are created from REAL trees, creating a unique look to each and every plank. Once cut, these planks are stained and finished to protect the woods natural structure. Since this is a natural product, there is some vulnerability of the surface. ALL floors are susceptible to scratching, denting and gouging, but with proper care, protection and maintenance you can reduce the chances of that happening to you. When considering Hardwood Floors for your home, there are some things to keep in mind.

• Color/Grain: Each wood species will have its own unique appearance. For example, floors made from oak have a"heavy" grain appearance, while floors made from maple have a more subtle grain. This is inherent to the wood itself.
• Knots/Imperfections: Since this is a natural product, there are many things that can affect the final appearance. Knots are formed when limbs are broken or cut off of a tree. Pinholes are caused by the insects that survived in the tree in the forest. When woods are finished, they are graded based on the amount of imperfections and knots contained in the sample. The higher the grade, the less knots/imperfections.
• Coloration/Darkening: All of the products that we sell are prefinished. But over time, the color will darken, or lighten based on the wood, with exposure to light. In some woods, the grains appearance will be enhanced, while in some woods it will appear to fade. How long this process takes depends on factors in your home and the wood itself.
• Moisture/Humidity: Since Hardwood floors are a natural product, they are vulnerable to changes in the humidity levels in the home. During the winter months when the humidity levels decrease, flooring planks can contract and cause small spaces; During the summer months when humidity levels increase, flooring planks can swell causing a cupped appearance. Maintaining a constant humidity level in the home (with the use of a humidifier and/or dehumidifier) can help lessen the expansion/contraction of the wood. Proper installation will allow for this natural process and reduce the risk of damage to the floor.
• Floods/High Moisture: Excessive moisture, for example a damp basement or flood, will adversely affect a wood floor, causing it to cup or crack. If you live in a home with a high moisture content or that is prone to flooding, a Hardwood floor should not be installed. Installation in these circumstances will void most manufacturers' warranties. The use of an Engineered floor is suggested anytime there is a high moisture content. If you are unsure of the moisture levels in your home, it is best to do a moisture test prior to installation (Most trained installers will be able to do this for you).
• Subfloor: Hardwood Floors must be nailed down. Therefore, without major preparation, they can not be installed directly over concrete. Engineered Hardwood Floors can be installed in several ways, allowing for more adaptability in a home.

When installing Hardwood Floors, it is best to blend cartons for a uniform appearance. On the day of installation, it is suggested to open several cartons of flooring and stack the planks in the work area so the flooring is blended during installation. It is also suggested that a few planks be retained in a safe place after installation (perhaps under or behind the sofa) for the future, if a repair is ever needed. Industry standards allow for a 5% defect tolerance during manufacturing. Therefore, when making your final purchase, it is advised to allow for an additional 5% to allow for cutting and manufacturing/natural type defects.