Fast
Facts:
When shopping for Hardwood Floors,
remember this is a life long product of natural beauty and durability.
Other positive aspect of wood flooring: its
affordability, easy to maintain, environmental soundness, and they
are healthy for you, not to mention the wide variety and selection.
From Its sustainable source to its healthy qualities indoors, wood
flooring makes a smart choice for the world's environment and the
environment in your own home
Hardwood
Floors are:
Affordable: Hardwood
floors add value to your residence at resale time, not to mention it
is a lifetime product. They increase in value as your home does.
Hardwood floor products are one of the most sought after hard surface
flooring in remolding and new home construction.
Easy to Maintain: Routine maintenance
is a little more than simple sweeping and vacuuming, always making sure
your hardwood floors are protected from moisture and heavy wear which creates scratches.
Preventive maintenance
like area rugs, floor protectors (on ALL furniture on your hardwood floors), and routine maintenance with proper hardwood floor cleaner
should always be exercised (improper products can contribute to additional wear, may VOID your warranty, and cause failure when
recoating.
Ecological Sound: Unlike
most floor coverings, wood floors come from a natural resource that is
sustainable. Long gone are the days when timber was cut down with little
thought for the long term consequences on the nation's forests. Today
most timber is cut from forests that are carefully managed to ensure
continued resources in the future. In fact, according to U.S. Forest
Service statistics, almost twice as much hardwood timber Is added every
year through new growth as is harvested. Additionally, there is more
standing hardwood timber today than there was 50 years ago.
Healthy: The
Environmental Protection Agency has said that indoor air quality is one
of our top health threats. Installed in the home or elsewhere, wood
floors help contribute to a healthy living environment. Hard surface
flooring such as hardwood floors does not rap or harbor dust mites or
molds. That creates better air quality for all inhabitants, but
especially for the estimated 35 million Americans who suffer from
allergies. The hard surface of wood floors also helps avoid artificial
substances such as pesticides that can accumulate on some floor
coverings. A recent EPA study found that pesticides used in gardens and
homes accumulate on floors and other surfaces in the home, but that wood
floors greatly reduce the accumulation of such toxins. Another concern
for the home environment is the off-gassing of toxins that results from
some synthetic materials. Any of these chemicals can make people in the
home chronically ill.
Selection and Variety: With
today's technologically advanced manufacturing, stains and finishes,
hardwood floors come in many sizes, styles, colors, finishes and
species. These many choices can compliment any home or office with
style and a beautiful product that last a lifetime.
FAQ's When Purchasing
Hardwood Floor Products
The following
frequently asked questions are the most commonly asked when considering
the purchase of a wood floor product:
Are hardwood floors
expensive?
Hardwood floors are very
competitively price and represent an excellent value when compared to
other flooring options. Hardwood floors never have to be replaced and
will enhance or even increase the value of your home should you decide
to sell. When compared to other flooring products, hardwood floors
provide long-lasting value, as Real Wood Floors are "Beauty that
last a lifetime".
Is it cost-effective to
select wood flooring over less costly materials?
Yes! According to the National Wood
Flooring Association (NWFA) & Residential real estate agents, say
homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster, and fetch
higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by
the trade organization. By a three-to-one margin, real estate agents
said that a house with wood floors would sell faster than a carpeted
house. Some 58 percent said a house with wood floors would bring a
higher price.
What species and color
should I choose?
There are several species,
colors and grain variations to consider. Other than the walls, the
floor represents the largest expanse of color or pattern in a room. Your
floor should complement the fabrics, furnishings and accessories already
present in the space, as well as enhancing the unique personality of the
room as a whole.
The most popular color : red oak natural, maple natural running second,
but with today's eclectic decoration styles, anything goes.
Darker colors - Formal or traditional interiors,
Lighter colors - country, casual and
contemporary settings.
There are many choices when selecting
the right floor for the rooms in your home. There are several many
species, colors and grain variations to consider. See Wood
Floor Species, Grades
& Cuts
Which rooms can I install a hardwood
floor in my home?
Any room except a full bath. With the variety of
products available and a choice of installation options, hardwood
flooring can now be installed in any room of the home. The only
consideration is whether the floor will be
installed
on-, above- or below-grade. For example, because of
potential moisture
problems, solid hardwood is not recommended for
installations below grade, such as in a basement.
Engineered products, which are inherently dimensionally stable, are
better choices for this type of area. All types
of hardwood can be installed on- or above-grade.
Does wood flooring go well with most design styles?
Yes. In a recent survey commissioned by the NWFA, more than
three-quarters of interior designers find that wood flooring works well
with many decorating styles. "It's the most versatile floor
covering there is," says one designer. "Wood goes with
contemporary and traditional and everything in between." Designers
rated natural materials as superior to man-made materials in beauty,
prestige, style, maintenance, and durability.
A variety of woods and finishes are available to complement the decor
and style of any room. Oak
and maple are the most popular woods, but some homeowners
are investing in exotics such as Brazilian
cherry and Purple heart.
Engineered floor versus a solid
hardwood product?
Engineered products, available in Planks, Strips are
manufactured of hardwood using a cross-directional laminated
construction (3 to 5 layers), with a top layer of premium hardwood. This
construction counteracts the natural tendency of wood to expand and
contract with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, making
engineered products inherently dimensionally stable. Solid products,
available in Planks, Strips or Parquet, are manufactured from a solid
piece of wood.
What Is there an advantage engineered
products over solid products?
Yes. In general, engineered products can be installed in
any room in the home, whether
on-grade,
below-grade or above-grade. Engineered products can be
nailed down, glued-down or stapled down, depending upon the situation.
Engineered product, can be glued down, stapled down or some can be
“floated” over most subfloors without the use of nails or adhesives,
making it ideal for remodeling. Solid products are not recommended for below
grade installations and must be nailed down or glued
down.( See installation
procedures )
Should I use a prefinished versus
unfinished?
Most hardwood flooring sold today is
prefinished. Factory finished with several coats of
UV-cured
polyurethane are applied. These factory finishes are
tough and durable. Installing a prefinished floor eliminates the time,
the dust and the odors associated with the on-site sanding and finishing
of an unfinished product. A prefinished floor can be installed in a day.
An unfinished flooring installation may require twice as much time for
the same area.
What about installing wood in high
traffic areas like kitchens?
The urethane finishes on most new wood
floors stand up to water and traffic, bringing wood flooring into
bathrooms, kitchens, and other higher-stress areas. These finishes
resist wear and stains better than other finishes and require no
stripping, no buffing and no waxing. High traffic areas include exterior
doorways, hallways, mud rooms, and the areas in front of the sink, stove
and refrigerator. To protect the floor just inside exterior doorways,
use walk-off mats or small rugs to catch tracked-in dirt and grime.
Place small rugs or mats at other high traffic locations. Watch for grit
or pebbles that might be brought in on waffle soles of athletic shoes
and collect these with a hand-held cordless vac. This should be done a
regular basis.
Is there a difference between square-edge
and eased-edge designs?
Yes. With a square edge, the sides of each plank or
strip are square. An eased edge, more commonly known as a beveled or
micro-beveled edge, features a slight angle on the top edge of the plank
or strip. An eased edge can help mask slight subfloor imperfections, and
can be felt if walking on the floor in bare feet.
Which installation method is best?
The method used for your hardwood installation will
depend upon the type of product you have chosen, where the flooring will
be installed and the type of subfloor. Nail down, glue down &
floating are the three type of installation. For instance, if you are
remodeling your kitchen, some products can be “floated” over most
subfloors, including vinyl or ceramic tile, eliminating the mess and
cost of tearing up the existing floor and installing a subfloor.
Engineered products, which are dimensionally stable, are ideal for
basements and can be nailed, glued or stapled down. Your flooring
retailer or contractor can help you to determine the best method for
your situation.
See Installation
methods & details.
Which types of hardwood floors are best
for in-floor radiant heating systems and are some wood species better
for radiant systems than other?
Engineered hardwood floors--in planks, strips are the
best floors to use with radiant heating systems. These floors are
manufactured of hardwood using a three-ply or five-ply laminated
construction, making them inherently dimensionally stable. This means
they are less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. Of the
engineered flooring options, with a floating installation as the
best choice, because it can be "floated" over the subfloor,
without the use of nails or adhesives for a permanent installation.
It is important to note that when installing any hardwood floor over a
radiant heating system, the maximum temperature of the subfloor should
never exceed 80º (F). For the correct water temperature inside the
heating pipes, refer to your manufacturer's guidelines.
Oak is an ideal
species
for in-floor radiant systems. We also recommend ash
and merbau.
We do not recommend that you use maple or pecan for an in-floor radiant
heat system. If you have a question about your species choice see Radiant
Heat & Wood Floors.
Are hardwood floors hard to maintain?
Can I damp-mop my floor?
No. A hardwood floor finished at the factory features
three to seven layers of a UV-cured polyurethane. This finish gives the
floor a tough, durable and smooth no-wax surface that is both luxurious
and easy-care. See
Maintenance
and Do's
& Don'ts for your wood floor. DO NOT damp mop - Water
and wood do not mix. Therefore, we suggest that you use
the maintenance products and procedures recommended by the manufacturer
of your floor. Maintenance kits can be purchased from your retailer or
contractor.
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