SIGNATURE HARDWOOD FLOORS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is solid wood flooring more expensive to install than carpet?

If you consider that solid wood floors will last a life time or two and that they will only need to be either refinished once every 8 to 15 years (depending on wear and tear and maintenance) or re-coated every 4 or 5 years (which requires no sanding) hardwood floors are a much better value than carpet, which needs to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. There’s also no cleaning fee every year or two with hardwood floors.

Why have solid wood, pre-finished wood or laminated floors installed rather than carpet?

In addition to their distinctive beauty and lasting value, doctors often recommend hardwood floors because they trap less animal dander, dust, pollen, mites and mold -- all of which can trigger respiratory problems.

An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from allergies. Even in tiny amounts, house dust can set off symptoms. The most serious offenders are dust mites -- microscopic monsters that colonize bedding, curtains and carpets. Even frequent vacuuming won't eliminate dust mites.

Natural hardwood floors make it easier for you to reduce home allergens, while your rooms remain warm and inviting.

Can I have solid wood flooring installed over concrete slabs?

With the right subfloors, solid hardwood flooring can be installed successfully on either on-grade or above-grade slabs. Below-grade installation is not recommended for solid wood.

The slab must be flat and level with a trowel finish, free of grease, oil, stains and dust. New concrete must be dry before beginning the subfloor.

Two subfloors are recommended: either 3/4" thick plywood, or 2" x 4" sleepers. Either system is satisfactory for 3/4 inch flooring up to 4 inches wide. For plank flooring 4 inches and wider must be used with the plywood-on-slab system or a sleeper system with an additional nailing surface.

Concrete slab subfloor systems require proper vapor barriers of either asphalt felt and mastic or polyethylene.

How do I know when it’s time to refinish my solid or pre-finished wood flooring?

The first thing to do is to determine whether the finish is worn off or just dirty. Go to a high-traffic area, where the finish will be most worn, and pour a tablespoon or two of water onto the floor. If the water forms beads, congratulations! Your floor is properly sealed. Perhaps it needs only some cleaning and stain removal. If the water takes a few minutes to soak in, only darkening the floor slightly, the finish is partially worn. Proceed with caution. If the water soaks right in, leaving a dark spot, the finish is seriously worn and it's probably time to refinish the floors. Note: Pre-finished wood floors can only be re-sanded once or twice. It would be less expensive to re-coat every few years before they need re-sanding.

When do I have the option of re-coating my floors, rather than re-sanding?

You can re-coat your solid or pre-finished wood flooring rather than re-sand when your floors begin to loose their luster. Solid and pre-finished wood floors can’t be re-coated if they have been waxed or oiled (see the Caring for your Floors section). Re-coating is a process that many customers are unaware of. If this process is done every few years before the floor finish has worn through (see above question) then no re-sanding is necessary. The benefits of re-coating are that it takes less time, it’s approximately 1/3 less expensive, and it creates less of a mess than re-sanding.

Why does my floor have cracks in it?

Because wood is a natural product it will react to changes in its environment. Normal cracks are not uncommon if there are separations between individual flooring pieces and are uniform and general throughout the floor.

The most common causes of separations are Mother Nature and dryness. The loss of moisture results in the most frequent reason for shrinkage of individual pieces and cracks. Most cracks are seasonal – they appear in dry months, or the cold season when heating is required, and close during humid periods. This type of separation and close is considered normal. In solid 2 1/4" wide strip oak floors, dry time cracks may be the width of a dime's thickness (1/32"). Wider boards will have wider cracks and the reverse is true.

The cure is to minimize changes by adding moisture to the air space during dry periods. A constant Relative Humidity (RH) of 50% works in concert with the manufacture of wood floors to provide stability in the floor. You must live with normal cracks or add humidity - it's your choice.

Why do my floors squeak?

Prolonged cycles of contracting in dry winters and expanding in humid summers may cause squeaks in your hardwood floor. Air conditioning in summer and humidifying in winter will prevent extreme cycles.