FAQS
How are hardwood floors installed?
Nail Down or Staple Down ? Typically used with the 3/4" solid products. Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed
on wooden subfloors or sleepers on or above grade. 1" to 2" inch staples or nailing cleats are used to attach the wood flooring to
the subfloor. A pneumatic gun is used to drive the staple into the wood flooring and subfloor.
*Glue Down ? The recommended mastic or adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the
subfloor. It is not recommended to glue down 3/4" solid.
*Engineered and Parquet Floors ? Engineered wood floors can be glued, nailed or stapled; parquets can only be glued down.
There are many types of adhesives on the market. We use the manufacturers recommended adhesive when installing their
flooring.
*Floating ? With the floating installation method the floor is not mechanically fastened to any part of the subfloor. There is a
1/8 inch thick pad that is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. Wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of
each plank to hold the planks together. The padding protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission, 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 installation. .
How is hardwood flooring is a good investment?
Hardwood flooring could add value to your home in the following ways:
* Hardwood floors are generally nailed through the sub floor to the joists, which adds structural integrity to your home.
* Hardwood floors act as thermal insulators.
* Hardwood floors add value to your real estate investment. They generally make a property easier to sell.
* Hardwood floors are very durable. Sometimes when old buildings are destroyed the hardwood floors can be reclaimed and
reused.
* Most floor coverings, carpet, linoleum, etc. last an average of 8 years. Hardwood floors can easily last the life of the building.
* Today's wood floors are affordable. Over time, wood floors maintain their value. When other flooring options are looking
tired and worn out, wood floors will still look beautiful and timeless.
* Hardwood floors come from a renewable natural resource and can be recycled into other wood products years later, (particle
board, paper, mulch, etc.) .
Why choose hardwood flooring over other flooring system?
Hardwood flooring has a natural beauty that will give any room a very warm feeling. When building a new home, adding an
addition or just taking up old carpeting that doesn't have a hardwood floor beneath, you should look at the wide variety of wood
flooring available.
Unlike carpet, 3/4" thick wood flooring can take wear and tear and last well over 100 years with minimum maintenance (see
our maintenance FAQs). When the surface finish wears, or gets scratched over time, you can recoat or sand and refinish the
floors to make them new again.
The variety and colors of wood flooring available today, make it easy to find one that will compliment any design ideas you
have. Hardwood Flooring is also the only floor covering that will add resale value to your home..
Where can/can't I install hardwood in my home?
Hardwood can be installed in 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 area.
All types of hardwood can be installed on- or above-grade. Today's hardwood floors have made advances in style, durability,
maintenance and care, making them more widely usable throughout the home (with the exception of the bathroom where its use
is not recommended due to potential moisture problems). .
Can I sand and refinish my floor?
Many hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished at least once and as many as three times or more. The exact number
depends upon the total thickness of the product or the thickness of the top layer of premium hardwood, as in an engineered
product. With this process, we sand the entire finish off the floor, and then rebuild the finish surface. This procedure can take
up to five days or longer, depending upon the size of the space. While sanding and refinishing a floor may be costly and
disruptive to the household, it is usually more economical than replacing the floor..
Will my floor change color over time?
Yes. You can expect to see shade differences in your floor over time. The cause is usually from exposure to the ultra-violet rays
of the sun, whether direct or indirect. This color change will be more noticeable in lighter colors, which will darken over time.
In addition, certain species, like Brazilian Cherry, will naturally darken over the years. These changes are due to the natural
characteristics of wood and are not covered by most manufacturers' warranties..
What does it mean to screen and re-coat a floor?
In many cases, a customer does not want to have a company come in to sand and refinish their newer floor because of the cost,
hassle and dust it creates. In many cases this does not have to happen. A simply screen and recoat procedure is all that is needed
when the damage is not deep and most of the problem is just surface scratches. This procedure refreshes the appearance of the
floor by sanding very lightly over the existing finish with a buffer. Screening with the buffer prepares the already finished floor
to accept another coat of finish. Without the screening (buffing) process, any new finishes are very likely to peel off..
What is the difference between an engineering floor and solid hardwood floor?
Solid products, available in planks, strips or parquet are manufactured from solid piece of wood. Engineered products,
available in planks, strips or long strip, are manufactured of hardwood using a three or five cross directional laminated
construction, 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 engineering products dimensionally stable..
Can I stay in my home during the floor sanding process?
Yes, however access to the floors will be restricted because of the need for a certain amount of drying time
each day.
How long does it take for the floor to dry after each surface coat is applied?
A coat of oil base poly takes 4-7 hours to dry for first & second coat, but the final coat take 8-14 hours to
dry— A coat of water base poly takes 2-4 hours to dry, but final coat take 4-6 hours to dry.
When can I move the furniture back?
Recommended 48 hours after the final coat is applied (with protective felts under all furniture). Large area
rugs need to be kept off the floor for the first 1 weeks.
What are the heath benefits to hardwood flooring?
Carpets gather dust, animal dander, mildew, mites, pet urine, pollen and other irritants that can cause respiratory difficulties
and are also harmful to those suffering from asthma or allergies, properly maintained hardwood flooring is extremely resistant
to penetration from irritants.
For people with allergies wood flooring is one of the best types of flooring to have. Dust mites thrive and dirt and pollen build up
in carpet even with constant vacuuming and washing. Dust and pollen are simply vacuumed or dry-mopped from a wood
surface. Area rugs can be removed for more affective cleaning of the rug and the floor beneath..
How will a hardwood floor hold up with pets?
This depends on how tame or active your pets are. The simple reality is that any floor can be adversely affected by a pet,
through either scratches or stains from urine. Hardwood is more susceptible to scratches, so a larger pet with claws will have
impact. Even tile, though nearly impervious to scratches, is vulnerable to staining because of grout line and having a potentially
porous surface. As with any floor, to prevent stains from urine or other accidents, it is utmost importance to spot clean
immediately at the site of the accident to maintain the floor through vigilant care the rest of the time. If you are providing good
maintenance on the floor, it will retain its beauty for a longer period..
Nail Down or Staple Down ? Typically used with the 3/4" solid products. Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed
on wooden subfloors or sleepers on or above grade. 1" to 2" inch staples or nailing cleats are used to attach the wood flooring to
the subfloor. A pneumatic gun is used to drive the staple into the wood flooring and subfloor.
*Glue Down ? The recommended mastic or adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the
subfloor. It is not recommended to glue down 3/4" solid.
*Engineered and Parquet Floors ? Engineered wood floors can be glued, nailed or stapled; parquets can only be glued down.
There are many types of adhesives on the market. We use the manufacturers recommended adhesive when installing their
flooring.
*Floating ? With the floating installation method the floor is not mechanically fastened to any part of the subfloor. There is a
1/8 inch thick pad that is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. Wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of
each plank to hold the planks together. The padding protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission, 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 installation. .
How is hardwood flooring is a good investment?
Hardwood flooring could add value to your home in the following ways:
* Hardwood floors are generally nailed through the sub floor to the joists, which adds structural integrity to your home.
* Hardwood floors act as thermal insulators.
* Hardwood floors add value to your real estate investment. They generally make a property easier to sell.
* Hardwood floors are very durable. Sometimes when old buildings are destroyed the hardwood floors can be reclaimed and
reused.
* Most floor coverings, carpet, linoleum, etc. last an average of 8 years. Hardwood floors can easily last the life of the building.
* Today's wood floors are affordable. Over time, wood floors maintain their value. When other flooring options are looking
tired and worn out, wood floors will still look beautiful and timeless.
* Hardwood floors come from a renewable natural resource and can be recycled into other wood products years later, (particle
board, paper, mulch, etc.) .
Why choose hardwood flooring over other flooring system?
Hardwood flooring has a natural beauty that will give any room a very warm feeling. When building a new home, adding an
addition or just taking up old carpeting that doesn't have a hardwood floor beneath, you should look at the wide variety of wood
flooring available.
Unlike carpet, 3/4" thick wood flooring can take wear and tear and last well over 100 years with minimum maintenance (see
our maintenance FAQs). When the surface finish wears, or gets scratched over time, you can recoat or sand and refinish the
floors to make them new again.
The variety and colors of wood flooring available today, make it easy to find one that will compliment any design ideas you
have. Hardwood Flooring is also the only floor covering that will add resale value to your home..
Where can/can't I install hardwood in my home?
Hardwood can be installed in 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 area.
All types of hardwood can be installed on- or above-grade. Today's hardwood floors have made advances in style, durability,
maintenance and care, making them more widely usable throughout the home (with the exception of the bathroom where its use
is not recommended due to potential moisture problems). .
Can I sand and refinish my floor?
Many hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished at least once and as many as three times or more. The exact number
depends upon the total thickness of the product or the thickness of the top layer of premium hardwood, as in an engineered
product. With this process, we sand the entire finish off the floor, and then rebuild the finish surface. This procedure can take
up to five days or longer, depending upon the size of the space. While sanding and refinishing a floor may be costly and
disruptive to the household, it is usually more economical than replacing the floor..
Will my floor change color over time?
Yes. You can expect to see shade differences in your floor over time. The cause is usually from exposure to the ultra-violet rays
of the sun, whether direct or indirect. This color change will be more noticeable in lighter colors, which will darken over time.
In addition, certain species, like Brazilian Cherry, will naturally darken over the years. These changes are due to the natural
characteristics of wood and are not covered by most manufacturers' warranties..
What does it mean to screen and re-coat a floor?
In many cases, a customer does not want to have a company come in to sand and refinish their newer floor because of the cost,
hassle and dust it creates. In many cases this does not have to happen. A simply screen and recoat procedure is all that is needed
when the damage is not deep and most of the problem is just surface scratches. This procedure refreshes the appearance of the
floor by sanding very lightly over the existing finish with a buffer. Screening with the buffer prepares the already finished floor
to accept another coat of finish. Without the screening (buffing) process, any new finishes are very likely to peel off..
What is the difference between an engineering floor and solid hardwood floor?
Solid products, available in planks, strips or parquet are manufactured from solid piece of wood. Engineered products,
available in planks, strips or long strip, are manufactured of hardwood using a three or five cross directional laminated
construction, 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 engineering products dimensionally stable..
Can I stay in my home during the floor sanding process?
Yes, however access to the floors will be restricted because of the need for a certain amount of drying time
each day.
How long does it take for the floor to dry after each surface coat is applied?
A coat of oil base poly takes 4-7 hours to dry for first & second coat, but the final coat take 8-14 hours to
dry— A coat of water base poly takes 2-4 hours to dry, but final coat take 4-6 hours to dry.
When can I move the furniture back?
Recommended 48 hours after the final coat is applied (with protective felts under all furniture). Large area
rugs need to be kept off the floor for the first 1 weeks.
What are the heath benefits to hardwood flooring?
Carpets gather dust, animal dander, mildew, mites, pet urine, pollen and other irritants that can cause respiratory difficulties
and are also harmful to those suffering from asthma or allergies, properly maintained hardwood flooring is extremely resistant
to penetration from irritants.
For people with allergies wood flooring is one of the best types of flooring to have. Dust mites thrive and dirt and pollen build up
in carpet even with constant vacuuming and washing. Dust and pollen are simply vacuumed or dry-mopped from a wood
surface. Area rugs can be removed for more affective cleaning of the rug and the floor beneath..
How will a hardwood floor hold up with pets?
This depends on how tame or active your pets are. The simple reality is that any floor can be adversely affected by a pet,
through either scratches or stains from urine. Hardwood is more susceptible to scratches, so a larger pet with claws will have
impact. Even tile, though nearly impervious to scratches, is vulnerable to staining because of grout line and having a potentially
porous surface. As with any floor, to prevent stains from urine or other accidents, it is utmost importance to spot clean
immediately at the site of the accident to maintain the floor through vigilant care the rest of the time. If you are providing good
maintenance on the floor, it will retain its beauty for a longer period..
| CHARLIE'S HARDWOOD FLOORS . 8729 Vintage Park Dr . Sacramento . United States . Ph:(916) 807 8988 . Fax:(916) 689 1243 Email : charlie1@chfloors.net |
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