Things to know before buying a hardwood floor

Hardwood - Before You Buy

OK, you're getting close. If you have been thinking about installing hardwood floors in your home, read on.....

And you probably know by now that, with the wide array of beautiful hardwood choices available today, it's easy to suit your taste and find a flooring solution for the way you live.

Choosing the best hardwood floor covering is really about finding the right combination of aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

So you want to shop smart -- right?

That way your final decision not only creates a warm, inviting environment in your living spaces but also delivers what hardwood floors are noted for: adding value to your home.

You want to know the facts and get smart before your hardwood floor is laid down -- and long before you lay down your money!

So please read on,  check out these tips and get the upper hand on the flooring that may soon be underfoot.

In the first place, you should know this about Finish in Place hardwood.

Nature's rich beauty is abundant when displayed through the character of a Finish in Place hardwood floor.

In addition to various wood species and finishes, these hardwood planks are also available in different widths - an elegant addition to any home.

Finish in Place, 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, brushed or mopped on, is known as a "floor finish" not a "furniture finish".

Must there be dust? Unfortunately, yes.

Since your floor is being finished in your home, please be aware that your floor will not be "dust free" as it is impossible to create a "dustless" environment.

Some dust will fall onto the freshly applied topcoat of urethane finish.

You may also see sanding marks, small bubbles and brush marks.

However, take heart, Finish in Place floors may be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor's natural beauty.

The origin of the species and natural selection.

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 beautiful and unique look of a wood floor. They make your floor close to one of a kind.

Wood moves. It's a fact of nature.

Wood floors will expand and contract due to moisture and temperature changes, causing hairline cracks, slight height variations or both.

Hardwood does not expand or contract equally in all directions. This is not considered a defect but a natural result of nature.

So, in dry climates, you may want to consider the use of a whole house humidifier to help minimize shrinkage and hairline cracking.

No subfloor is perfect, and that's on the level.

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

This does not affect the integrity or installation of the hardwood. Hollow sounds are normal and are not considered a product or installation defect.

All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will greatly increase this process.

Window treatments are recommended as well as rotating area rugs and furniture regularly to allow floors to age evenly from UV exposure.

Next, some pre-purchase tips on Pre-finished hardwood.

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

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

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

Multiple coats of aluminum oxide infused urethane are sprayed on the boards and then they are UV dried for a very durable finish.

Pre-finished floors may be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor's natural beauty. However the aluminum oxide prefinish is 9x harder than std after finish polyurethans, so the likelihood of this needing to be done is very slim.

Finally, be calculating! Figure the entire cost of hardwood ownership.

The "cost per square foot" of your hardwood floor is just one component of the entire project cost.

To ensure there are no surprises, and the hardwood you select fits within your overall project budget, be sure to ask your retailer to calculate the total cost of your floor covering project.

Here's a list of potential additional expenses you may incur:

• Furniture removal/replacement. Some retailers may charge you to remove (and then move back) the furniture in the areas of installation.
• Demolition/disposal of old floor covering. Depending on the existing floor covering, this can be an expensive item; also, be sure to include the cost to dispose of the old floor covering.
• Subfloor preparation. Depending on the condition of the subfloor, it may require additional work.
• Product delivery. Delivering the hardwood and installation materials to your home may or may not be included in the price you're quoted.
• Hardwood installation. Determine the cost per square foot to install it.
• Materials required to complete the installation. Your new hardwood floor may require additional materials to install it properly. Ask your retailer.
• Financing. Many retailers offer financing; financing is not an additional cost but rather an option of payment.

In addition to the total project cost, you should also know the cost of annual cleanings to maintain the beauty and life of your hardwood floor.

Ask the retailer and consult the manufacturer's warranty and care guide for directions on how frequently the floor should be cleaned and the cost to clean it.

There's a lot to keep in mind before you buy your hardwood floor, but it's well worth the effort. If you're a smart and knowledgeable hardwood shopper it will make our day. And, hopefully, make your home!

 

Mark Woodward, Floor Coverings International serving Morris, Sussex, Bergen, Passaic and the surrounding counties. 973-975-5446

"We bring the store to your door."