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Finish Compatibility -- from our friends at NOFMA:
Q: What could cause polyurethane to blister and peel into spots?
A: Several things can cause polyurethane to peel in limited sections of a floor. One of the most common is surface contamination. Polyurethane will not adhere to wax, lacquer, shellac, oil soap residue or products which contain sterates. Other tradesmen could have caused the problem if they dropped a contaminant that went undetected before the polyurethane application.
Additionally, if stain is not sufficiently wiped off, leaving a heavy film on the surface, the finish could blister. Failure of a previous coat of polyurethane to dry or skipping the screening process between coats can also cause blisters. If the blisters are on the surface only, you should be able to screen and recoat. Delaminating from the wood's surface will require complete sanding and refinishing.
Q: What types of floor finishes are compatible with each other?
A: As long as the existing finish coat is completely cured, the topcoat finishes commonly used in the hardwood flooring industry, e.g. oil-based, water based, moisture cure, acid cure are generally compatible with each other.
The finish is considered "completely cured" when the film forming reactions (cross linking) are substantially complete. This is different from the "dry time" or "recoat-time" which is typically stated on a product label. Despite the fact that most finishes are able to bear traffic in a short period of time, the curing phase of a finish (both oil and water based) can take several weeks.
Q: How long should I wait to ensure that the finish is completely cured before recoating with a different system?
A: If you are planning to intermix finish systems, industry guidelines recommend that you wait at least 30 days before coating with a different finish system. Proper intercoat surface preparation becomes even more important in these situations. Make sure to follow the manufacturers' recommendations concerning surface preparation before recoating. It is a good idea to check compatibility by first testing a sample area. Remember that coatings such as lacquers are traditionally formulated with resins which behave differently from urethane resins, expanding and contracting in response to temperature changes at different rates. The combination of these two dissimilar coatings with floor traffic can ultimately lead to bonding problems with the finish.
Q: Can I apply two coats of stain on a wood floor?
A: No, you should never apply two coats of stain. Most oil-based stains contain a very small amount of binder. They contain color pigments and dyes, and are designed to be wiped into the open grain to color the fiber and open grain of the wood. The wiped-on coat is thin enough for the top coat or sealer to penetrate and bond to the wood fiber.
If a second coat of stain is applied, it builds the thickness, and the sealer or topcoat cannot penetrate through the stain to grab the wood. Most stains do not have enough strength to hold the entire film surface together, so the finish peels.
Q: Is dustless sanding dust free?
A: No. There is no system currently available that effective eliminates 100% of dust generated from sanding. It should be called dust containment system than dustless system. Dust containment system is very beneficial to both wood floor professionals and home owners because wood dust can be health hazard. Additionally, dust containment system helps improve the quality of the job site finish because of less air born dust that will resettle on the a wet finish.
Q: Why do my floors seem loose and have a lot of movement?
A: There are many possible reasons for this and it ranges from manufacturing to installation to conditions in the home.
-Tongue and grove configuration may be the cause. There must be contact between the bottom of the tongue and the upper part of the groove. Without this, the chance for the floor to squeak or be loose increases. Even a properly installed floor with this condition may be loose.
- Sub floor is not in acceptable condition.
- Incorrect nailing schedule or improper air pressure.
- Proper temperature and humidity controls are important. An experienced, knowledgeable flooring professional will be able to recommend the right course of action.
Q: What's the difference between engineered flooring and laminated flooring?
A: Engineered flooring can be refinished and laminated flooring can not be refinished.
Q: Can I have a solid 3/4" hardwood glue down to concrete?
A: Yes. You must check with manufacturers to see if their solid flooring is good for glue down. Never install solid wood flooring below grade.
Q: What kind of hardwoods can I install on concrete sub floor?
A: Solid, engineered, and laminated can all be installed over concrete sub floor if moisture conditions are acceptable.
Q: Can I have solid wood floor installed over particle boards?
A: No. Particle boards have very little holding power. You will have a loose floor.
Q: What to choose? Pre-finished or job site finish?
A: Pre-finished floors are generally more durable, the finished is cleaner because it is applied in a control environment. They are all come with bevel edges.
Job site finished floors offers more options as far as styles and colors are concerned.
Q: Can a wood floor be wet mopped?
A: No. You should never wet more your wood floor. Standing water left after wet mopping might dull you finish, damage the wood and leave unsightly discoloring.
Q: How do I clean my wood floor?
A: Simply dust mop, sweep or vacuum. It is recommended that you use only the cleaner approved for hardwood flooring.
Q: How can I prevent my wood flooring from scratching?
A: Many steps can be taken to help reduce scratches on a wood floor. First, you can put throw rug down in many high traffic areas such as in the entryways, in front of your sink or refrigerator, in the hallways. One of the best things to do is vacuum, dust, sweep regularly to keep dirt and debris from collecting on the surface. You can also put protector pads under chair and table legs.
Q: Why are there gaps in between the boards on my floor?
A: Wood is a natural product. It interacts with the environment it is in. Wood expanses when it gains moisture and contracts when it loses moisture to the surround air space. It is normal to see gaps in the heating season as long as it is less than 1/8" wide for strip flooring. Humidifier and dehumidifier can be used to minimize contraction and expansion.
Q: Are hardwood floor expansive?
A: Hardwood floors are very competitively price and represent an excellent value when compared to other flooring options. Hardwood floors never have to be replaced and will enhance or even increase the value of your home should you decide to sell. When compared to other flooring products, hardwood floors provide long lasting value, as Real Wood Floors are "beauty that lasts a lifetime".
Q: Is it cost-effective to select wood flooring over less costly materials?
A: Yes! According to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) & Residential real estate agents, say homes with wood floors hold their value better and fetch higher prices, according to recent, nationwide survey commissioned by the trade organization. By a three-to-one margin, real estate agents said that a house with wood floors would sell faster than a carpeted house. Some 58% said a house with wood floors would bring a higher price.
Q: What species and color should I choose?
A: There are several species, colors and grain variation to consider. Other than the walls, the floor represents the largest expanse of color or pattern in a room. Your floor should complement the fabrics, furnishings and accessories already present in the space, as well as enhancing the unique personality of the room as a whole.
Dark colors- Formal or traditional interiors.
Lighter colors- country, casual and contemporary settings.
There are many choices when selecting the right floor for the rooms. There are several species, colors and grain variations to consider.
Q: Which room can I install a hardwood floor in my house?
A: Any room except a full bath. with the variety of products available and a choice of installation options, hardwood flooring can now be installed in any room of the home. The only consideration is whether the floor will be installed on-, above-, or below grade. For example, because of potential moisture problems, solid hardwood floor is not recommended for installations below grade, such as in a basement. Engineered products, which are inherently dimensionally stable, are better choices for this type of area. All types of hardwood can be installed or above grade.
Q: Does wood flooring go well with most design styles?
A: Yes. In a recent survey by the NWFA, more than three quarter of interior s=designers find that wood floorings work well with many decorating styles. "It is the most versatile floor covering there is" says one designer. "Wood goes with contemporary and traditional and everything in between". "Designers rated natural materials as superior to man made materials in beauty, prestige, style, maintenance, and durability.
A variety of woods and finishes are available to complement the d?cor and style of any room. Oak and maple are the most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing in exotics such as Brazilian cherry and Purpleheart.
Q: Engineered floor versus solid hardwood product?
A: Engineered products, available in plank, strip are manufactured of hardwood using a cross-directional laminated construction (3 to 8 layers) with the top layer of premium hardwood. This construction counteracts the natural tendency of wood to expand and contract with seasonal change in temperature and humidity, making engineered products inherently dimensionally stable. Solid products, available in planks, strips and parquet, are manufactured from a solid piece of wood.
Q: What are the advantages engineered products over solid products?
A: In general, engineered products can be installed above, on or below grade whereas solid products are not recommended for below grade installation. Engineered products are much more suitable for installation over radiant heating system due to its inherent dimensional stability.
Q: What about installing wood in high traffic areas such as kitchen?
A: The urethane finishes on most new wood floors stand up to water and traffic, bringing wood floor into kitchen and other high stressed areas. These finishes resist wear and stains better than other finishes and require no stripping, no buffing and waxing.
Q: Is there a difference between square edge and ease edge design?
A: Yes. With square edge, the sides of each plank or strip are square. An eased edge, commonly known as a micro-beveled edge, features a slight angle on the top edge of the plank or strip. An eased edge can help mask slight sub floor imperfections, and can be felt if walking on the floor bare foot.
Q: Which installation method is best?
A: The method used for your hardwood installation will depend upon the type of product you have chosen, where the flooring will be installed and the type of sub floor. Nail down, glue down and floating are the three types of installation. For instance, if you are remodeling your kitchen, some products can be floated over most sub floors, including vinyl and ceramic tile, eliminating the mess and cost of having to tear up existing floors.
Engineered products, which are dimensionally stable, are ideal for basements and can be nailed down, glued or floating.
Q: Which types of hardwood floors are best for in-floor radiant heating systems and are some wood species better for radiant systems than other?
A: Engineered hardwood floors are best for installation over radiant heating system because of its dimensional stability. Engineered products are less susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature. Of the engineered flooring options, floating installation is the best choice over radiance heat.
It is important to note that when installing any hardwood floor over a radiant heating system, the maximum temperature of the sub floor should never exceed 80 degree Fahrenheit. For the correct water temperature inside the heating pipes, refer to your manufacturer's guidelines. It is also very important to have an outside thermostat in addition to the inside thermostat. Outside thermostat will turn the heat on at night when temperature drops below a set point. Radiant heating must be turned on gradually over a period of several weeks to avoid traumatizing wood floors.
Q: Are hardwood floors hard to maintain? Can I damp mop my floor?
A: No. Hardwood floors require only dust mop, vacuum to last. Never wet mop a floor because wood and water don't mix.
Q: At what point in decorating should I consider new floor?
A: You should include the flooring from the very beginning. Your flooring type is one of the most important decisions you will need to make in order for your entire decorating scheme to work.
Q: How important is the right floor to successful decorating?
A: The wood species, width of the product, and color of the flooring will have an effect on your trim choices as well as your wall covering and cabinetry choices.
Q: What is important to look for in a wood floor and how I choose a species and color that's right for my home?
A: You should look for a wood species that will coordinate with your over all decorating scheme. The species and width of the boards will depend largely on the size and style of your room. Durability is another factor you should consider when choosing a species. Some species are naturally stronger.
Q: Should I choose a neutral color so it will stay in style for many years to come?
A: Most wood species are neutral in color but a natural finish on any species is the most common and will stay in style longest. Avoid white wash your wood floor!K this is a very dated look. Consult an interior decorator or your local wood flooring supplies for your options and more specific information about each species.
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