Hardwood – Before You Buy

Considerations before you buy.

Nothing motivates you to learn about something than when you have to invest a sizeable sum to
purchase it. Buying hardwood flooring is no exception.

Finding the right flooring for your home, means understanding things like, the woods
characteristics, traits and quirks.

Nature’s rich beauty is abundant when displayed through the character of a beautiful, hardwood
floor.

Dust is inevitable.

Since your floor might be sanded and finished inside your home, be aware that your floor will
not be “dust free”, as it is impossible to create a “dustless” environment.

Some residual dust will fall onto the freshly applied topcoat of the urethane finish. You may also
see sanding marks, small bubbles and brush marks.

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 alluring and unique look of a wood floor.

Your wood will naturally move.

Wood floors will expand and contract due to moisture and temperature changes. This can cause
hairline cracks, gaps or slight height variations.

Hardwood will not expand or contract equally in all directions. Remember, this is not considered
a defect, but a natural result of nature. In drier climates, you may want to consider the use of a
whole house humidifier to help minimize shrinkage and hairline cracking.

The facts about subfloors.

No subfloors are perfectly level. You may also hear hollow sounds where your subfloor’s surface
dips and ridges.

Minor imperfections will not affect the integrity or installation of the hardwood. If there are
more severe level problems, consult with your flooring professional to discuss prep options.
Hollow sounds are normal and are not considered a product or installation defect.

Hardwood pre-buying notes.

All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will
greatly increase this process. Some species of wood will gain their rich, beautiful color with
exposure to UV light

Window coverings, rotating area rugs and moving furniture regularly, is recommended to allow
floors to age evenly from UV exposure.

A natural work of art, the elegance of a hardwood floor adds beauty and value to any home. It
offers easy care and durability to any lifestyle.

Each species of wood has its own unique characteristics and the natural conditions that the wood
matured in, makes each floor exceptional and individual.

Pre-finished hardwood floors are sanded, screened and stained in highly efficient manufacturing
plants.

Several coats of urethane are sprayed on the boards and then they are UV dried for a very
durable finish.

Job-site finished, or unfinished hardwood, is installed in the home and then sanded. The stain and
2-3 coats of urethane finish are then applied. The urethane finish is brushed or mopped on and is
known as a “floor finish” not a “furniture finish”.

Pre-finished floors may be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor’s natural beauty.

Know the entire cost of ownership.

The “cost per square foot” of your hardwood floor is just one component of the entire project
cost. Here’s a list of potential additional expenses you may incur:

1 – Furniture or appliance removal/replacement.
2 – Demolition/disposal of old floor covering. Depending on the existing floor covering, this can
be an expensive item.
3 – Subfloor preparation. Depending on the condition of the subfloor, it may require additional
work.
4 – Product delivery.
5 –Baseboard removal/replacement
6 – Materials required to complete the installation. Your new hardwood floor may require
additional materials to install it properly.

We can help you answer questions regarding the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for
directions on how frequently the floor should be cleaned and the cost to clean it.