Frequvently asked questions:

Unfinished Wood

What is the average curing time for wood finishes?
Curing time for all wood flooring finishes to reach full hardness is about 2-4 weeks. The curing time depends on the type of finish as well as the temperature and the relative humidity. Important: Do not use any liquids, including water to clean the floor during the first three weeks. Floor coatings are only resistant to chemicals and water after they are fully cured.
How do oil and water based floor finishes differ in the overall appearance of my new hardwood floor?
Conventionally, water based finishes do not alter the appearance to such a large extent as an oil based finish would. The color of a water base finish is closer to the original product and the oil base finish has the tendency to darken the appearance of the wood flooring.
How soon can I put area rugs down on my new hardwood floors?
Area rugs should not be placed on a newly finished floor for at least 6-8 weeks.
How will daylight (UV Exposure) affect the color of my hardwood flooring?
Almost all hard woods have the tendency to darken over time. This depends upon the exposure to Ultraviolet light (daylight), the type of wood species and the wood finish that is applied. Some exotic hardwood species may also become more reddish over time.
What are the most stable conditions for hardwood flooring and how does environment affect the life of my hardwood floor?
Stability of the wood is determined on how it will react to changes in temperature and relative humidity. Shrinkage and expansion can occur if the wood is exposed to drastic changes or extreme conditions both during and after the installation.
How do the South American Exotic hardwoods compare to domestic red oak in hardness?
Hardness of the wood is determined by the Janka Scale. Red oak has a hardness of 1,260 lbs/sq while Exotic South American hardwoods are significantly harder. The harder the wood the more durable it is.
Why choose unfinished wood over prefinished wood?
Unfinished flooring porvides a smooth even surface without grooves (Micro-beveled). This flooring is easier to clean, as dirt and moisture will not get into the small grooves. An unfinished floor would be installed, sanded and finish/coted on-site. This is the only way to achieve a smooth and perfect finish.
What type of finish should I choose for my new floor?
The most common finishes are Swedish finish (acid cured), or a Water based finish (two-component).
Swedish finishes have been used for many years and has a well prove reputation. It requires typically two coats and is quite durable, wear resistant and is fairly in expensive. The down side is that a Swedish finish is very toxic, as it contains formaldehydes. The release of the formaldehyde occurs during the application and one to two weeks thereafter.
Water base finishes are environmentally friendly and have been used for about fifteen years. Good Quality products, which are two-component, are as durable and wear resistant or better than Swedish finishes. Unfortunetely, the water base finish are more expensive and reqire a minimum of three coats.

Pre-Finished Wood

Why Choose Pre-finished flooring over Unfinished flooring?
Unfinished flooring porvides a smooth even surface without grooves (Micro-beveled). This flooring is easier to clean, as dirt and moisture will not get into the small grooves. An unfinished floor would be installed, sanded and finish/coted on-site. This is the only way to achieve a smooth and perfect finish.
How does the price of Pre-finished flooring vs. on-site finished flooring compare?
If we consider all the related costs (material, installation, sanding and finishing costs) pre-finished floor costs are typically some what lower than the traditional floor, because the traditional floor is being sanded and finished on-site. Pre-finished: Higher material cost, less labor cost. Unfinished (Swedish) On-Site: Lower material costs, and higher labor costs.
How long does the coating of a pre-finished flooring last?
Pre-finished flooring is protected by an aluminum-oxide enhanced finish that will not wear through for twenty-five years under normal residential use and if recommended maintenance steps are followed.

Floor Care and Maintenance Guide

How do I care for my new hardwood flooring?
To ensure the full benefit of the warranties and to extend the beauty of your new exotic hardwood flooring for the many years to come, we reommend the following steps to be considerd: Use floor mats at all entrances to keep dirt and moisture form being tracked. Mats and area rugs should be slip resistant with backing that will not discolor your floor. To prevent scratches and dents, install felt floor protectors under furniture legs. Use soft rubber casters for rolling furniture. Avoid high heels or shoes that need repair. Some types of high heel shoes can severely damage your hardwood floor. Maintain a healthy humidity level at 35 - 55%. In some areas within North America humidity levels change drastically throughout the seasons. Extreme changes can cause damage to your floor. The installation of a humidfier and/or dehumidifier may be advisable. Sweep and vacuum your floor regularly - do not let dirt or grit build up on your floors. For normal, regular cleaning us a sponge mop with clear water, squeezed very dry; for heavier cleaning add a hardwood floor cleaner that is specified for polyurethane coated hardwood floors. Hardwood floor clears are available at flooring stores and most hardware stores. Never wet mop your hardwood floor and never use wax. Remove wear spills or other liquid spills immediately. Pleas note: Exposure to sunlight and its UV rays will cause the floor to darken somewhat - depending on the wood species. This is a normal process. We recommend re-arranging rugs and furniture periodically, so the floor ages evenly. Some exotic wood may also change in color. This is a desired and natural process and needs to be taken into consideration when purchasing exotic hardwood flooring..