Here's part two of our series on common hardwood myths. The first one can be found HERE.
20. Wood floors that are sanded and finished at the job-site are more durable than a factory manufactured finished floor.
A pre-finished floor gives you the added benefit of a perfect finish applied under dust-free, ideal conditions at the factory. Ours include from five to eight coats with aluminum oxide suspended in the finish. The only thing harder is diamonds! Factory finishes are much harder than any product site-applied, requiring air-drying.
21. Repairs are easier to make on a sanded and finished floor than a pre-finished floor.
If needed, pre-finished boards can be replaced one at a time. Job site finished boards require four or five days of sanding, staining, finishing and then waiting for the finish to dry. After that, it may still not match the sheen of the floor.
22. I have heard the oil-soaps are the best way to clean my wood floor.
Soaps and detergents can leave a harmful film causing the top finishes to yellow, alligator or crack. Consult the product labeling for its expressed warranties.
23. My wood flooring can be delivered and installed the same day.
The industry and most wood manufacturers recommend that solid wood flooring be delivered to the job site at least 3-5 days before the installation. This properly acclimates the wood to "normal living conditions'. Temperature of 60F to 80F and a relative humidity of 30% to 50% with the HVAC fan left in the “on” position to provide a continuous flow of air across the floor are ideal. Most engineered wood floors require about one day for acclimation. Be sure to check our installation guidelines for various products on our web site.
24. I only have white oak and red oak to choose from.
Although White and Red Oak is still very popular, we have hundreds of beautiful Exotic wood species along with Cork and Bamboo from forests from all over the world. Many are offered in wider widths of 3”, 4”, 5”. The choice is yours.
25. When my wood is delivered can I store it in the garage, out of the weather?
No. Wood flooring should never be stored in a garage, in a basement, directly on cement or in out buildings. No exposure to moisture of any type should be permitted. Uncontrolled humidity or moisture vapors can penetrate into the wood flooring, causing it to swell or cup.
26. Wood floors cannot be installed in a basement on a concrete floor.
Not so. We offer many fine quality engineered wood floors that feature cross-grain ply construction. These floors are very stable and resist expansion and contraction. Be sure to test your concrete floor for excessive levels of moisture over 3%. Concrete installations (Gluedown or Floating) normally require moisture barriers.
27. I expect to get a wood floor to be all the same color, like the store sample.
Wood is a natural product with patterns and color variations created in a living tree, like all of nature never to be repeated. A small sample containing only a few grain patterns and shades of a species could never completely represent a fully installed floor with hundreds of pieces. If you prefer more uniformity in color and shade exotics may not be for you, consider our Dura-wood stained products.
28. I expect my floor to have a “table top finish”.
Wood floors are not tabletop material. Hardwood floors that are pre-finished are milled to exacting specifications. However, you may feel a slight variation from plank to plank, when walking across the floor in your bare feet. We offer both micro bevel and square edged materials.
29. Hardwood floors are indestructible.
Despite today's advanced technology, water spills, dirt and other abrasive substances can damage a wood floor's finish. Location, traffic patterns, how often the floor is vacuumed and cleaned, children and/or pets are all factor that influence wear.
30. Engineered floors are not “real wood” floors.
Engineered floors have a real hardwood veneer wear layer with a multi-layer cross grain construction, perfect for at-grade or below-grade cement installations. These can be re-sanded about two times.
31. If I get down on my hands and knees, I can see all kinds of small defects.
Product claims are viewed/determined from a standing position.
32. My basement, crawl space, or concrete slab looks dry so I should not have any problems with a new wood floor.
About 90% of installation complaints are due to moisture, your installer should always check the subfloor and protect against moisture before installing the floor. Moisture issues are job site related.
33. I have radiant heat, so I can't install a new wood floor.
Many of our floors work well over radiant heat such as Floating, Laminates and Engineered. For solid wood, always shop for stability. Ask your sales assistant about this. Be sure to follow the radiant heat manufacturer’s guideline for thermostat controls. Do not exceed 85F surface temperatures.
34. I was told to re-seal my hardwood or bamboo after installation to protect it against pet urine, vomit or spills.
Regular cleaning is always recommended however applying another sealer over the original finish will void the warranty. Once between the boards sealers can promote gapping and act as an adhesive preventing normal expansion of the flooring.
35. The area is prone to moisture and/or high humidity, can I still have a wood floor?
If using wood, Engineered is the floor of choice. However Ceramic tiles and Vinyl may be best.
36. Full bathrooms and laundry rooms are fine for wood floor installation.
Engineered types of flooring can be used in full bathrooms because these are less susceptible to moisture fluctuations, however users should take reasonable precautions against steam and high humidity common with hot showers. Added ventilation can serve to alleviate excess humidity build-up in any room while mats placed around tubs to catch water spills are also recommended.
37. Is your Aluminum Oxide floor finish harmful?
There are no issues with Aluminum Oxide floor finish. These microscopic Aluminum Oxide crystals are added into the finishes. Once cured, it is completely safe for our children and pets.
It is recommended, however, to do all board cutting outside in order to protect against breathing even normal wood dust. It is in this dust state that Aluminum Oxide and wood fibers can have a respiratory effect on people.
38. Do I have any way to get my technical installation questions answered?
Yes, you do. Just call 1-800-366-4204 and ask to speak with our installation specialists or leave a message. You can also go online and visit our web site and receive installation instructions and advice.
