What you need to know about hardwood

A work of natural art, the elegance of a pre-finished hardwood floor adds beauty and value to any home. Each species of wood has its own unique characteristics and the conditions of nature the wood matured in make each floor exceptional.

Pre-finished hardwood floors are sanded, screened and stained in manufacturing plants. Several coats of urethane are sprayed on the boards and then UV dried for a very durable finish.

Pre-finished hardwood floors are available in two constructions, Engineered and Solid.

Engineered products are constructed of two or more different layers or plies. The plies vary in thickness, lending dimensional stability to these products. This construction is more resistant to warping or cupping of the boards. Solid products are just that - solid throughout, and may be limited to certain installations.

Both of these types of floors may be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor's natural beauty.

Each species of wood has its own unique characteristics. Color is determined by what part of the tree the wood comes from. The grain pattern is determined by the species and how the wood is cut. Similar to natural stone, these variations create the beautiful look of a wood floor.

All wood floors will cup and peak with the change of season. Due to moisture and temperature changes, wood floors expand and contract, causing hairlines cracks, slight height variations, or both. This is normal in all wood floors.

No subfloor is perfectly level. You may 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.

Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage. Take care when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scuffing. Stiletto heals will cause dents and scratches which are not covered by warranty.

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 allowing floors to age evenly.

Place walk off mats at each entryway to collect dirt and grit that might be tracked in. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your floor. Be sure to avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs as they can damage your floor instead use mats made especially for hardwood floors and remember to shake them out regularly. In addition to entryways, be sure to place mats in any areas where water may be splashed, such as near a kitchen sink.