Questions Frequently Asked
Adding hardwood flooring to your home is an exciting step, and there is a lot to know. You may have several questions. This is why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you get some quick answers.
How to take care of my floor and keep looking great?
Place mats at exterior doors to trap sand and grit from incoming traffic. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways and pivot areas, at ends of steps, near doorways, etc. All rugs should allow floor to breathe. Avoid rubber-backed or non-ventilated rugs.
Use protective felt pads on feet of furniture and any items that come in contact with the floor.
Don’t let sand, dirt or grit build up. They can act like sandpaper and actually abrade and dull your floor finish.
Vacuum with brush or sweep floor regularly. General cleaning once every week is recommended.
Remove spills promptly. Use the right Hardwood floor cleaner and a Microfiber Mop to clean floors.
Never wet mop a wood floor. Excessive amounts of water can cause your wood floor to swell and cup.
Do not use wax, oil soap, or other industrial or household cleaners on your wood floor. These products can adversely affect the appearance of the finish and make refinishing difficult.
Maintain a consistent humidity level between heating seasons in all living areas. Excessive swings in humidity levels will cause hardwood floors to swell, shrink, cup, crack and show excessive gaps between boards. the use of humidifier and/or dehumidifier systems is recommended where inconsistent humidity levels occur.
Avoid scratches and gouges, keep high heels in good condition, and keep pets’ claws trimmed.
What are prefinished hardwood floors?
Prefinished floors are already finished with several layers of finishing, making the floor very hard and durable. The biggest advantage of unfinished flooring is that throughout the years they can be refinished time and time again; and for a fraction of the cost it would be to refinish prefinished flooring. There are advantages and disadvantages to both prefinished hardwood floors and unfinished hardwood floors. You should go over the options with your hardwood flooring installer to help you decide what is important for you and which would work best in your home. Call or contact us and we will be more than happy to drop by with samples of each type so that you can decide which one fits your home and lifestyle. If you have concerns about the dust or fumes that come with unfinished wood, we use a Dustless Sanding System to ensure that all dust particles and allergens aren’t introduced into your home. We can also provide you with the option of using an Eco-Friendly, low odor/low VOC, water based finish which is less toxic and doesn’t smell as strong as an oil-based finish.
What is Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood floors are made up of layers. The top layer is 100% natural wood, which comes in a variety of species. The bottom layer is also wood. In the middle is a core built from 5 to 7 layers of plywood that crisscross in different directions.
Engineered construction creates a highly stable core that is less likely to expand, contract or shift when exposed to moisture, humidity and temperature. This makes engineered wood flooring a great option in rooms that are subject to moisture (like basements) or over concrete slab and radiant heating systems.
