Hardwood 101

WOOD FLOORING IS AN INVESTMENT THAT PAYS

Like a fine piece of furniture, wood flooring increases in value and becomes more beautiful with time. In a national survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for more money.

THE NATURAL, RENEWABLE AND ALLERGY FRIENDLY FLOOR

Wood is a natural resource, both renewable and recyclable. Buildings, barns, ships and other structures made of wood often find a second life in hardwood flooring, cabinets, walls and ceilings. And leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

Before you purchase hardwood, know this.

Nothing motivates people to learn about something than when they have to invest a sizeable sum to purchase it. Buying hardwood flooring is no exception. It pays, today and tomorrow, to know not only the basics but some of the specifics. Hardwood flooring is both beautiful and durable. It is a lifetime investment that increases both the value and aesthetics of your home. In the journey to finding the right flooring for your home, understanding things like hardwood characteristics, traits and quirks can be invaluable.

The different hallmarks of hardwoods.

Each species of wood has its own unique characteristics. Color is determined by what part of the tree the wood originally comes from. The grain pattern is determined by the species and how the wood is cut. Natural variations in the color and grain are normal and to be expected. Similar to natural stone, these variations create the beautiful and unique look of a wood floor. They make your floor close to one of a kind.

Hardwood flooring characteristics.

Hardwood floors are hygroscopic. Wood floors will expand and contract due to moisture and temperature changes, causing hairline cracks, slight height variations or both. Hardwood does not expand or contract equally in all directions. This is not considered a defect, but a natural result of nature. It should also be noted that the wider the flooring, the larger the expected gaps will be. So, in dry climates, you may want to consider the use of a whole house humidifier to help minimize shrinkage and hairline cracking. The key is to keep the humidity in the home between 35% and 65% year round. Hardwood flooring is photosensitive. All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will greatly increase this process. Hardwood floors will dent and scratch. It is important to choose the correct wood for your application in order to minimize denting and scratching issues, keeping in mind that ALL wood floors will dent and scratch.

Here are the facts about subfloors.

No subfloors are perfectly level. You may also hear hollow sounds where your subfloor’s surface dips and ridges. This does not affect the integrity or installation of the hardwood. Hollow sounds are normal and are not considered a product or installation defect.

Pre-finished hardwood pre-buying notes.

A work of natural art, the elegance of a pre-finished hardwood floor adds beauty and value to any home, easy care and durability to any lifestyle. Each species of wood has its own unique characteristics and the conditions of nature that the wood matured in make each floor exceptional and individual. Hardwood flooring is not intended to look like a table-top. Flooring is manufactured from a lower grade of wood than that which is used for furniture. Pre-finished hardwood floors are sanded, screened and stained in highly efficient manufacturing plants. Several coats of urethane or aluminum oxide are sprayed on the boards and then they are UV dried for a very durable finish. Pre-finished floors may be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor’s natural beauty.

Know what to expect and do before installation day

Get Ready for Your Seamless Hardwood Installation

The excitement is building as your dream hardwood floors become a reality! To ensure a smooth and efficient installation process, here's a helpful guide outlining what to expect before the big day.

Our first advice is in the form of a question.

Installing this type of floor can be difficult, exacting and detailed. Why would you have anyone but a seasoned, dedicated professional install it? That way you can be assured of a beautiful, efficient and correct installation.

How is Hardwood Flooring Installed?

There are four methods of installing hardwood flooring.

1. Nail Down: 2” cleats do the job.

This method is typically used with the 3/4″ solid wood, however there are adapters available for thinner flooring sizes as well. 2″ nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to attach the hardwood flooring to the subfloor. Please be aware that Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed on wooden subfloors on grade or above grade.

1. Staple Down: this method uses pneumatics.

With the staple down method, 1-1/2 to 2 inch staples are used versus nailing cleats to attach the wood flooring to the subfloor. A pneumatic gun is used to drive the staple into the wood flooring and subfloor. Not all wood flooring manufacturers recommend the same staple gun, so using professional installers will ensure that the right staple gun and right size staples are utilized.

1. Glue Down: adhesives are the rule here.

The recommended mastic or adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the subfloor. You should know that engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. There are many types of adhesives on the market. Your installers will use the manufacturer's recommended adhesive when installing your flooring. Not using the manufacturer's recommended adhesive and trowel size could void any warranties you may have.

1. Floating floors: flooring on a bed of padding.

With the floating floor installation method, the floor is not mechanically fastened to any part of the subfloor. A thin pad is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. Then, the appropriate wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together. In some cases the floor will have interlocking ends and edges and no adhesives will be required. The padding has its advantages: it protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission, is softer under foot, and provides for some additional “R” value. Some engineered floors and all Longstrip floors can be floated. This is a very fast, easy and clean method of installing your hardwood floor.

Is It Necessary to Acclimate Hardwood Floors?

All solid hardwood products need to be acclimated to the new environment for at least 24 hours prior to installation. Wood flooring product will be divided into smaller lots and stored in the designated rooms if necessary.

What to know and do before wood flooring installation day

Do I need to remove my furniture before having wood flooring installed?

Remove all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas where the hardwood flooring installation will take place. Some installers will move your furniture, but there will be an additional charge for doing so. Before moving, you’ll also need to empty the contents of china cabinets, closets and the like. Be aware that the area of installation must be climate controlled (heated or air-conditioned). Indoor humidity should be maintained between 45-65%.

Do I need to remove my old flooring before hardwood flooring installation?

Please consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. This will cause dust and you should take proper precautions to protect your belongings. This can be a time-consuming task. We recommend that you check with us about the cost and the method of disposal. If you prefer to remove your present floor covering, do it at least one day prior to arrival of your hardwood product to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing old carpet, please pull out the staples and tackstrip.

Have a plan in mind regarding your trim.

You should know that shoe molding and quarter round needs to be removed for hardwood installation. Your installer may do this but at an additional charge and they will not be responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood. Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint will need retouching after the installation is complete. If necessary, this is your responsibility.

Should I prepare subflooring for hardwood flooring installation?

Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the hardwood, or a new subfloor may be required. We suggest you discuss this with us and, if subfloor work is necessary, that it be done by qualified professionals. It is important that the subfloor be as clean and level as possible. Additional sanding and grinding of floor joints may be necessary.

Doors require special consideration.

When hardwood is installed, there’s always the possibility that the doors, especially closet doors, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new hardwood and swing freely.

Some installers will remove doors in order to install the hardwood and re-hang them if possible. They won’t shave or cut down doors to insure clearance. If you would like our assistance in arranging for a qualified carpenter to provide this service after the installation of your new hardwood floor please discuss this with your salesperson.

Be clear about the clean-up.

Installing new hardwood will produce waste. Usually these materials are collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site. Your installer will leave for you a partial box of material for your “attic stock” to be used for future repairs if necessary.

What to know and do during installation day

Do I need to be home during flooring installation?

Be prepared to be at home or available by phone the day of installation. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances of each job, we may not be able to give you an exact time of your installers arrival.

Your safety is our concern.

Your installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.

What to know and do after installation day

Give your lungs a break.

If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after your wood flooring installation.

Being prepared for installation day through careful planning and smart preparing will make your life and the installers a lot easier. It will also make your hardwood flooring experience beautiful and enjoyable right from day one.