FAQ
If you have any questions you would like answered please email them to graham@oneofakindfloors.com.
Thank You!
Everyone claims to be a hardwood flooring specialist. Who actually knows what they are doing?
It seems like everyone with a mallet and stapler calls themselves a hardwood specialist. Our suggestion is to look far and deep for the right installer. After all, hardwood flooring is an investment that should last a lifetime, but quality hardwood flooring can easily be turned into expensive firewood if installed incorrectly.
A few questions to ask the installer right from the beginning would be; what kind of moisture meter do they use? This is an installer’s most important tool in the industry. How long would they recommend the flooring acclimate? Not many people know that a solid hardwood product should remain in the house 7-10 days at normal living conditions before installation can take place.
Our final piece of advice would be to look into the installer’s credentials. Are they certified by the National Wood Flooring Association? An NWFA certified professional has attended independent schooling and testing specific to the field of hardwood flooring. Chances are these are going to be the most qualified installers. You would want your heart surgeon to have the proper credentials, why not insist on your installers or refinishers having their industry specific credentials too?
How does moisture affect my hardwood flooring?
Hardwood flooring is an organic product and as such it is susceptible to changes in moisture content. The most common change in hardwood flooring is caused by seasonal change in Relative Humidity (RH). Most manufacturers suggest maintaining a RH of 30%-50%.
A lower RH will cause the hardwood to dry out and shrink; linear gaps will form between hardwood planks.
A high RH will cause the wood to swell; flooring may begin to ‘cup’ or even ‘buckle’.
For houses with a central air system we recommend having an inline humdifier/dehumidifier installed. This will allow you the homeowner to maintain a consistent RH year-round which will help keep your hardwoods from moving due to seasonal RH change.
What are the benefits of hardwood flooring over other floor coverings?
1 - Timeless. Hardwood flooring has been around for centuries and has stood the test time. You aren’t following a recent fad, but rather investing in a surface that has been popular for several generations.
2 - Low Maintenance. With modern products and coatings, hardwood flooring has become virtually maintenance free. It is easy to keep clean and is anti-microbial, meaning your floors will not harbor or promote the growth of mould, allergens or pollens, allowing everyone to breathe a little easier.
3 - Long Lasting. Hardwood flooring is an investment that lasts a lifetime. Unlike several other surfaces that may last 10-15 years, solid hardwood flooring can last upwards of 100 years before replacement. It is the only surface that can be sanded several times allowing you to bring your floors back to a ‘like new’ appearance as well as the freedom to change the appearance or colour as styles come and go.
4 - Resale Value. Hardwood flooring is one of the only surfaces that not only increases the resale value of your home, but is a well sought after feature for home buyers giving you the edge when selling your home.
Do I want a prefinished floor or an unfinished floor that is sanded on site?
They are both great products so it is really a choice of preference. Prefinished floors are, as the name suggests, finished at the factory. This product will almost always have bevels on all four sides to hide any slight imperfections in your subfloor. This product is boxed and shipped, eventually ending up in your home. After an acclimation period the floor is installed leaving you with a beautiful prefinished floor. With several prefinished options out there, you are bound to find something that suits you and your home.
However, for a more refined and unique look there is always the unfinished option. With unfinished flooring the possibilities are endless. You could walk into your local market and pick up some of those prepackaged steaks, but wouldn’t you rather go to your local butcher and pick up the finest steaks specific to your desired cut, size, thickness and age? With unfinished flooring you have complete control over your product selection. Choose the specie, the cut, the grade, the width, the technology, the stain, the sheen and so much more. This product is installed unfinished then sanded, stained and finished on site giving you a seamless floor that is one of a kind for you and your home.
Engineered vs. Solid; Which is better?
This really depends on your application. A solid hardwood product is recommended for applications on grade (main level) or above grade (any floor above the main level). Solid flooring is not recommended for below grade (basement) applications. Normally these types of floors should never be glued down. The best results are obtained by mechanically fastening (staples, cleats) these floors to a plywood subfloor. Solid products boast a substantial wear layer which allows the floor to be sanded several times, however these products are going to be a little more susceptible to changes in moisture, meaning they tend to expand and contract more than an engineered product.
An engineered floor is recommended for all grades (below, on, above). This product can be mechanically fastened or glued down. It can be installed over plywood and concrete subfloors. Engineered floors tend to be more ‘dimensionally stable’, meaning they are less likely to expand and contract due to variations in moisture content. However, BEWARE, not all engineered products are created equal. Several engineered products out there us a ‘slice’ or a ‘peel’ wear layer which means the floor cannot be sanded, there is a possibility of delamination or peeling of the actual hardwood from the core of the product and you may ultimately end up with a less durable product. The best engineered floors use a dry-sawn wear layer. Depending on the thickness of this wear layer the floor can be sanded as many times as a 3/4" solid product. If you are unsure about the construction or technology in a certain engineered product, contact an NWFA professional for the truth on an engineered product.
If you have any questions you would like answered please email them to graham@oneofakindfloors.com.
Thank You!