Q: How do I clean my wood floors?
A: If the finish manufacturer is known, follow the manufacturers recommended cleaning procedures.
However, if the manufacturer is not known simply keep grit off the floor, dust mop or vacuum regularly and keep doormats clean. Wipe up spills promptly with a dry cloth. Use a slightly dampened cloth for sticky spills. Do NOT wax a urethane finished floor. Waxing a urethane finished floor will cause the wood floor to be slippery, requiring continuous waxing as your maintenance, and any re-surfacing will require a full sanding process. For general cleaning, use a generic hardwood floor cleaner. If the luster does not return to traffic areas, the floor may require recoating.
Q: What is the difference between laminate (Pergo) flooring and wood flooring?
A: Laminate (Pergo) flooring consists of synthetic backing with a high-pressure laminate surface. Laminate is not renewable and therefore has a short usable life span. However, some manufacturers offers wear, fade and stain warranties between 5-25 years.
Wood flooring consists of wood backing with wood wear surface or solid wood. Wood flooring with proper care will last generations. Wood floors can be refinished, re-sanded, and re-coated to look like new again.
Q: My floor has cracks in it. Is this normal?
A: Because wood is a natural product it will react to changes in its environment. 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 ¼" wide strip oak floors, "dry time" cracks may be the width of a dime’s thickness (1/32nd"). Wider boards will have wider cracks and the reverse is true.
The cure is to minimize humidity changes by adding moisture to the air space during dry periods. A constant Relative Humidity (RH) of 50% with a temperature of 65-75 degrees (Fahrenheit) provide stability to the floor.
Q: Why is my wood floor loose and squeaky?
A: Some causes are inadequate nailing, flexing weak subfloor system or nailed over particle board type subfloor. Other possibilities are insufficient or incorrect adhesive, which subjects the floor to excess moisture or excessive drying.
Q: Will my floor age or change in color?
A: 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.
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