Hardwood Flooring FAQ

Hardwood flooring is any flooring product made of real wood sawn from timber and manufactured for use as a floor. Hardwood is available in a wide variety of different tree species and can be manufactured as solid hardwood (the planks consist of one solid piece of wood sawn from a single timber) or as engineered hardwood (a planks are made from multiple layers of wood adhered together). Hardwood flooring can come in planks, strips, parquet patterns and other shapes. Generally hardwood products come prefinished from the factory with stain and a wear layer to protect it, but in some cases the wood is installed without a factory finish and the finish is applied onsite. Some hardwood floors can be sanded or screened and refinished overtime to return a more pristine look and feel, however this process can be expensive, time consuming and messing. As a result the practice of sanding/screening and refinishing is becoming less common as consumers more often opt to replace older and worn out hardwood floors with entirely new ones.

Hardwood floors typically feature a tongue and groove construction so that the planks lock together. Hardwood floors are often nailed or stapled into the subfloor for installation. In some cases engineered wood may be glued to the subfloor. Before installing any hardwood floor a moisture test must be done to ensure the moisture rising from the subfloor does not warp or damage the floor after installation.

Most manufacturers recommend that any hardwood product be acclimated in the space that it will be installed for no less than 72 hours. It is also important to arrange the hardwood boxes for acclimation in a way that would give equal airflow to all of the boxes, ensuring each box of wood gets the same level of acclimation. Generally stacking the boxes no more than 4 high and with at least 6” of space around all sides will suffice.

No, you should not steam clean hardwood floors. Cleaning your hardwood floors with a steam cleaner or with excess moisture will damage your floors and cause them to warp. In many cases using a steam cleaner on your floors will void their warranty. Always consult the warranty guide for your floor before using any cleaning products. Some steam cleaner manufacturers may boast that their products are safe to use on hardwood floors (with the disclaimer that the floors must be properly sealed) but both the Wood Floor Covering Association and the National Wood Floor Covering Association do not recommend using steam cleaning products on hardwood. There are also no major hardwood floor manufacturers that recommend using steam cleaners on hardwood floors. Refer to the manufacturer of your floor or to your local Flooring America/Flooring Canada for other cleaning options that would be appropriate for your floor.

Hardwood floors are naturally resistant to damage and scratches from furniture, which is one of the factors that has contributed to their enduring popularity. Nonetheless, there are steps you can (and should) take to help prevent furniture scratches. For example, you can purchase small felt pads, which are placed on the ends of chair and table legs, to help furniture glide more easily over your floors. You might also consider using an area rug, which offers cushioning and protection while still leaving most of your gorgeous hardwood flooring exposed.

Hardwood floors are easy to clean, but there are still some basic rules you should follow to keep them looking their best. Based on many years of experience in the flooring industry, we generally recommend that you do a quick daily sweep with a soft bristle broom. This will remove any fine particles of dirt or grit that could otherwise wear down your flooring over time. For spills, we recommend using a soft cloth to wipe the soiled area. Together with the cloth, we recommend using a cleaning product designed for use on hardwood floors to avoid further discoloration or damage. As an extra protective measure, you might wish to consider using humidifiers, which help to prevent warping and shrinkage.

If you’ve ever looked up hardwood flooring online, you probably bumped into three terms: “painting,” “staining,” and “refinishing.” “Painting” is straightforward; but what about the other two? “Staining” is the process of changing the wood to a darker color, usually by hand-applying a liquid wood stain product. “Finishing” is the process of applying a varnish, which, along with a coating of sealant, helps to protect the wood while giving it a glossier look. “Refinishing” involves redoing the current finish on your flooring, which revitalizes and restores its appearance. These procedures can be messy and difficult (especially if you’ve never done them before), which makes it a good idea to let the professionals handle the job.