A few things to know before you invest in hardwood floors

Most people are more motivated to learn about things they want if they have the funds to pay for it.

Purchasing hardwood floors is a prime example; people must know basic and specific facts about their flooring.  Most importantly, they should know what questions to ask.

Hardwood floors have several characteristics that make them unique from other floor types; some examples are grain, knots, colour, hardness, shine, etc.

We offer you this particular section on our site to increase your knowledge on things you should know about hardwood before you buy.

One type of hardwood is “Finish in Place” a/k/a “Unfinished”, this is one of the most natural looking wood options.  With this type, you can see the detail of the natural characteristics of the wood quite well.

All woods are available in several lengths and heights.  Who says your floor has to look like everyone else’s?  You can mix and match boards for an elegant variety.

Unfinished woods are not sanded before installed in the home.  Once the floor is laid in place, sanding, staining and finishing takes places.  Urethane finish is the last product applied to your floor; this leaves it shiny, beautiful and ready for wear!

This installation process can sometimes get a bit messy.  Sanding hardwood creates lots of dust; moreover, be prepared to cover all furniture and sweep once the installation is complete.

If your floor appears to have any flaws after installation is complete, a quick recoating of finish is most likely all you need.

All hardwood floors are different.  This is primarily because they come from different types and parts of trees.  colour evolves from the type of tree; grain, from how the wood is cut, etc.  Variations of wood and colour are expected, most importantly, they make each piece of hardwood unique.

Hardwood floors can be affected by climate; therefore, sometimes they will shift from their original placement.  This is natural; if anything, embrace the new characteristics of your floor and understand that movement is natural.

Moist environments are best for hardwoods.  If you live in a dry environment, you may want to consider a humidifier in the rooms with hardwood to keep it from drying out and cracking.

A subfloor is the floor that lies beneath your hardwood floor.  Not all subfloors are level and some will reflect natural dips and ridges.  This is completely normal and will not affect the quality of the floor.

Over time, some hardwood floors will fade or darken in colour.  A lot of this is in respect to their environments, e.g., if exposed to sunlight, it will fade.  In order to prevent discolouration, invest in quality window shades and rotate area rugs to protect different parts of the floor.

“Pre-Finished” hardwood is another option for hardwood flooring.  It’s beautiful and causes very little mess.  It also adds to the value of most homes and is easy to care for. 

Like unfinished hardwood, each species has its own unique characteristics and beauty.  It also comes pre-sanded, screened and stained.  Urethane has already been applied and dried under UV lighting, which results in a very durable finish.

Pre-finished hardwoods are alike with unfinished hardwood on their grain patterns, colours, durability and wear and tear.

Like all things to improve a home, there may be some unforeseen costs.  Keep the following in mind while installing hardwood floors:

    Removal and disposal of said old flooring in home;
    Moving and replacing furniture; Preparing the subfloor;
    Delivery of products;
    Installation fees for hardwood per square foot;
    and All additional materials to complete installation.

We can answer all questions about warranties, care & maintenance.

Like all things in life, there are several facts to know before investing in hardwood floors; however, once complete, it will be beautiful and well worth it.