Prefinished hardwood flooring can be finished in a factory that’s far away from its final destination. The processes used will vary by manufacturer, but final sanding and buffing are wrapped up by the time it leaves the factory. Some will even be primed as well as on their way to you. Each piece usually has a white paper border attached to the factory finish.
Unfinished flooring is raw hardwood that is ready for installation. It must first be installed and then sanded and refinished on site. Unfinished flooring provides a lower-cost alternative to finished flooring, but it may require some additional installation time and effort on the part of the customer.
These floors are ideal for homeowners who are comfortable with working with wood products. Unfinished flooring offers a variety of customizable options for every space. From new construction to existing homes, unfinished flooring offers an easy and affordable method for covering hard-to-reach areas fast.
Many unfinished floors are made from solid wood that is then sanded and stained on-site to create a custom look in the home.
Prefinished hardwood floors are a great flooring choice because they can be installed relatively quickly and easily.
When compared to unfinished hardwood floors, installation costs for prefinished products are typically lower because you do not have to sand the floors and complete a final finish. Installation of prefinished hardwood floors is also relatively simple and doesn’t require much time or effort.
This convenience means that you save on labour costs and your project gets done quickly so you don’t have to worry too much about any major hold-ups in your timeline.
They Are Generally Durable:
Prefinished flooring has several coats of finish and strengtheners applied using technology in a strictly controlled factory setting. This makes the wear layer of prefinished hardwood flooring very durable.
The finish itself comes under manufacturer warranty, which is substantially better than any contractor warranty applied in the field.
The Depth Of Color And The Texture Of The Wood:
The last thing you want to do is install a hardwood floor only to discover that the finish isn’t up to par. Hardwood prefinished floors are available in a wide range of colours, surface finishes and styles. Natural beauty and durability can be yours with factory prefinished hardwood floors.
It Is Non-toxic
Prefinished hardwood flooring is a hypo-allergenic flooring solution due to its construction. With prefinished hardwood, the glue applied to the wood strips and planks is water-based.
This makes it hypo-allergenic since dyes, pigments, and other finishing products that cause allergic reactions are not present. Additionally, the lack of toxic chemicals eliminates unpleasant smells that are unavoidable with traditional hardwood flooring methods.
If it seems like an area is sagging, take a sharp knife or razor blade and insert it under the sagging area. If it can easily cut into, or cause slight indentations, then there’s a good chance that you have found the place where your sub-flooring has rotted through and is causing your floorboards to bow.
It is important to find installation problems before your floor is completely installed. There will always be areas where you’re working off the floor, so before you put the final touches on a level floor it’s best to find and save yourself from any sags or dips.
Dips may also be caused by an issue with joists and beams below your floor that require shoring up. If you have a laser level, use it to check for sags or dips in the floor. Many different types of levels can be used horizontally or vertically and they are fairly affordable. Another option would be to secure yourself a set of carpenter’s spirit levels. These give very accurate readings and are much cheaper than newer options such as laser levels.
Solution:
No two pieces of wood react to stains or finishes in the same way. The colour may shift a little from one batch to another. The wood may react with an excessive amount of moisture or not enough depending on the environment it is exposed to. For that reason, we recommend you carefully follow the instructions included with each board and make any adjustments that are needed before each phase of the finishing process.
Cork is another common soundproofing material used under a wood floor and can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
Cork comes in two forms: with adhesive backing and without. The product with adhesive backing is easier to install, but more expensive, as you will have to purchase some flooring adhesive to use in conjunction with the cork. You can install the cork without adhesive backing, as it will stay down on its own but requires additional work when the floor needs to be repaired or refinished.
While underlayment is ideal for hardwood floors that haven’t been installed yet, if you already have hardwood floors down and you’re looking to soundproof them, there are several ways to do this. Carpet and pad is the most effective way to reduce noise on your floors. The thicker you can get your carpet and pad, the better they will work at absorbing noise.
The percentage varies depending on the grade of the hardwood, variance in colour and grain, and how much material you are installing. The general rule is to add 10% for installations with less than 1,000 square feet of material and 7% for installations requiring more than 1,000 square feet.
Choosing the best type of flooring for your home can be very difficult. There are so many factors to consider when it comes to the durability of your wood floorings such as wood species, type of wood (hardwood or engineered wood), Finishing E.t.c.
The Janka hardness test, sometimes simply called “Janka,” is a measurement of the hardness of wood. The Janka scale is used to describe the hardness of lumber.
Fortunately, fall is a great time to have hardwood flooring installed because it allows you to get all of that preparation down before the harsh winter weather hits. Here are a few reasons why fall should be your go-to season for hardwood flooring installation.
However, some engineered wood floors cannot be refinished and this is largely due to the thickness of the top layer.
Choosing from the qualities of both laminated and engineered wood is important if you are in the process of deciding on the decking for your next project.
They play an important role in how your indoor space feels, which is why a little rug reconnaissance can go a long way toward making your living space from underwhelming to understated elegance.
Most likely, your installation will probably be in a zone with RH values between 40% and 45%. If the temperature of the building is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the equilibrium moisture content of your wood should be between 7% and 8%.
Moisture meters for wood flooring can be used to quickly and accurately determine the moisture content of the wood. In most cases, you’ll be able to determine if a piece of wood is dry enough to use within a matter of seconds. This means you can avoid having your wood pieces warp or crack over time which can happen if they’re too moist. You’ll also know before putting your wood flooring down, giving you a chance to check for small holes or cracks which might have otherwise gone unnoticed until it was much more difficult to fix.
By preparing your wooden flooring for changes in atmospheric humidity, it will be much easier to avoid any severe damage to the material, while also ensuring that its appearance remains identical to how it was before any changes in humidity occur.
The truth is that over time, your beautiful new hardwood floors will begin to show signs of wear and tear due to everything from humidity changes inside your home to day-to-day foot traffic. Before you start looking at the prohibitive expense of replacing your flooring, here are some ideas that will help you restore the beauty and lustre to your hardwood floors without breaking the bank.
After you remove any furniture in the room, the first step to any hardwood floor cleaning is to make sure you get rid of any dirt by sweeping and vacuuming the floor. You don’t necessarily have to do both, but it can be helpful to make sure you don’t miss any piece of dirt or dust.
After getting rid of any dust you can see with your eyes, the second step to cleaning your wood floors is to clean them with a cleaning solution. Dust and dirt are taken care of in the first step, so all you need at this step is floor cleaner. You can use any floor cleaner that you like, but we recommend a multi-purpose cleaner because these cleaners will kill any bacteria in the wood, along with taking away any leftover dirt from previous spills. It’s also important to make sure whatever floor cleaner you choose doesn’t leave a film or residue behind once it dries.
Now you can use a sponge and add your cleaning mixture to it. With the sponge, you’ll want to buff each section of your floor. We suggest starting from the corner and working your way around. You don’t want to step into a section you’re cleaning before it dries. Once you’re done, take a look at your shiny brand-new floor.
Once your old hardwood flooring has been thoroughly swept, cleaned, then everything in the room will fit back into place properly, it’s time to consider polishing your hardwood floors. Even if you plan to stain or finish your floors, before you put that stain or finish on, you need to polish those floors. The finishing process will make a world of difference in the presence of your finished product.
What Is Wood Gapping
Gaps inevitably develop between the boards of older tongue-and-groove hardwood or wide-plank floors. This is because the wood shrinks as it dries and loses moisture content. The problem is magnified when the planks were not tightly laid in the first place.
There are generally two types of gaps: short gaps (no more than one-half inch) and long gaps (two inches or more). The former is usually harmless, as wood expands and contracts with humidity and temperature changes.
The latter are problems because they allow moisture to permeate through the wood, which doesn’t mould or stop moisture from escaping. Loose boards allow moisture to flow freely from one side of the floor to another, causing mould or rot. If left unaddressed, these gaps can grow into problems such as delamination of boards, restricting walkways and exposing dry rot areas to weather extremes.
Is it possible to stop gapping?
If you see gaps in your floorboards, you mustn’t surely delay having them repaired. How many there are, their size, and how stable the floor feels will determine how to fix them.
Planks that have small gaps will need less repair than those with broader or too many voids, or if floors are soft and bouncy. If so, the void is considered normal and nothing to worry about. However, those with wide gaps that exceed ¼-inch should certainly be filled in. They can weaken the overall strength of the floor, potentially leading to a fall that could seriously injure you. If the planks wobble slightly when moved from side to side, then they require attention as well.
What is a Moisture Barrier
A moisture barrier is essential for any hardwood floor. This is because the wood, when saturated with water, swells, causing gaps in the joints and/or planks. A moisture barrier stops water from wicking up from the ground, through the sub-floor and absorbing into the hardwood floor. Moisture barriers for hardwood floors can be as simple as a roll of plastic sheeting. However, there are solutions you can install by brush roller or trowel that will help to stop moisture transmission.
Provides Air Quality That’s Healthy: A lot of people today suffer from allergies or asthma, so choosing the right flooring is important. A common cause of allergies is carpets, which can trap bacteria, and dust mites: which are the smallest insect on earth. There are three million dust mites in every square inch of carpet. In some cases, vacuuming daily will get rid of particles and allergens in your carpets. However, sometimes it’s not enough to completely get rid of allergens and protect yourself from them. Having hardwood floors with no carpet fibres rolling around on the floor will also help keep your allergy/asthma problems away. People without allergies also benefit because it gives a homely touch to your house instead of something that everyone else does.
It is Easy To Install: Prefinished hardwood floors are ready to install. All of the finishing touches have been taken care of beforehand. You can have a prefinished floor installed in a few hours for a fraction of the cost you would pay for an unfinished board. That being said, hardwood floors that require finishing are also a viable option. They look amazing and they’re much more durable as well.
It is easy to clean: To ensure your floors stay beautiful for years to come. Invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner, as well as a mop and bucket. While vacuum cleaners are very efficient at cleaning hardwood floors, there is the problem of dirt and dust being kicked up into the air. Cleaning the floor can cause your allergies to act up, especially in homes where dogs and/or cats live. Use an upright vacuum with a filter bag when cleaning hardwood floors, and try getting a long hose attachment for easy reach areas.
A look of high quality: Hardwood floors are most associated with traditional homes, for obvious reasons. With a history that goes well into the 19th century, hardwood flooring is an established classic that is as timeless as it gets. There is little wonder as to why many people still prefer hardwood for their homes. For one, it’s beautiful and even fun to look at. But more importantly, a quality hardwood floor offers a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice that makes a home look its best.
A combination of strength and durability: What is hardwood flooring and why do you need to choose the right kind? Hardwood flooring comes from a tree that has matured about 12–15 years to reach its full potential for quality. It is then sawed into individual planks, joinery, and eventually pieces like flooring, stair treads, or wall panelling. It becomes hardwood flooring. Quality hardwood floors are durable and can withstand many different aspects of life: dishwasher detergent splashing against the tiles, children riding their bikes across your living room, and even heavy furniture being stacked on top of them.
But if that pesky dirt finds its way in any way, a sweep is all it takes to keep water out and prevent cracks from appearing. If you have a large area to clean, try using a vacuum cleaner instead of a brush. Make sure you choose a device that has suction cups so that you can move it around without having to call up a contractor for repairs, this will work for sealed floors.
Any unsealed and waxed floors should be swept regularly and occasionally resanded. Waxing can also provide a protective barrier between the flooring material and dirt, preventing it from condensation forming on surfaces that are rarely in direct sunlight. Waxing is not only helpful when caring for your floors, but it can also prevent cosmetic damage to your furniture and other decorative pieces.
Use wax sparingly, as any excess will leave a tacky residue and attract dirt, and buff well.
After you’ve completed sanding, use the surface screening pads to remove the polyurethane finish from the floor. The course screening pads work best but in a pinch, you can use a wood floor buffer from an industrial supply store. Use repeated, overlapping passes with medium to firm pressure over the pad to remove as much of the finish as possible. Re-apply the screen and continue going over it with your buffer until no more finish is coming up with the screen. This may take several applications back and forth with your buffer if you have a lot of polyurethane on your floor.
The top layer is the one you rest Furniture on; this is usually made from natural materials like wool or cotton. They are very useful for Furniture like your coffee table, as well as tables and chairs with soft casters. They’ll not only protect your floor, but they’ll help Furniture slide more smoothly across it.
Also felt pads are designed to make the sliding and shifting process easier when you are moving items. They consist of hard, flat disks with felt on both sides that slide beneath the furniture legs. The disks can be made to produce sufficient friction to effectively hold the piece in place. However, if that isn’t enough, apply a larger area of felt under the furniture legs or beneath the disk itself.
Moisture is one of these very influential factors that can affect the whole wooden structure of the flooring in your property. Noticeable effects from moisture in wooden materials include swelling, cracking, discolouration, delamination and warp. Here are three main effects of moisture on wooden materials.
Cupping:
If you’ve never heard of the term ‘cupping’, you’re probably wondering what it is. Cupping refers to the slight concave moulding that occurs in hardwood floors and it’s not a very pleasant sight. However, note that this happens both at the joints where the floorboards meet, or sometimes at random in between them. This phenomenon can cause moisture problems—one of the reasons why it’s important to check if you have a moisture issue.
Buckling:
Buckling of wood floors is very common, and you don’t want your floorboards to buckle. It is a sign of uneven expansion or contraction; which means that wood boards have been damaged.
This can be quite a serious problem because it may lead to bigger damage to your flooring. In rare circumstances, buckling can result in the floorboards popping up which is very unsightly. It is usually caused by water, high humidity, improper fixing of wooden floors e.t.c.
Professional restoration companies have the skills and knowledge you need for the job. You may be able to do the drying and salvaging of your wood floors yourself, but you can’t fix structural damage. You can only do so much as an amateur to salvage the wood flooring, but professionals are available to make your wood floors look as good as new. One of the most important factors that cause buckling wood floors is moisture. You must get your wood floor dried immediately after water leaks occur.
The most common cause of a raised flooring surface is moisture or water. The moisture content within the wood cells increases as it absorbs water when exposed to high humidity.
This swelling of the wood fibres can be greater than the strength of the glue bonds which is what joins the boards together. The centre of each board is raised higher than the edges giving the appearance of a series of small mounds with a convex shape.
If an unfinished surface of the flooring boards has been exposed to moisture before finishing, the flooring can become crowned due to the expansion of the wood surface.
Where flooring has become crowned due to the sanding flat of cupped floor that has then dried out, sanding this flat again can provide the solution. Ensure that the bonding to the sub-floor, whether by flooring adhesive or secret nailing is still secure and consistent.
If the damage is large enough to have taken the finish down to expose the wood, it needs to be repaired. If left exposed too long, the wood will be susceptible to moisture damage. Repairing a small area will save you in the long run. You should also call a professional any time you feel less than 100% confident in your ability to handle the repair yourself.
Before any repair is attempted, you must decide whether the damage is severe enough to warrant hiring a pro. Often this decision can be made by looking at the end of the damaged piece. Also, If you can make out the manufacturer guide you can know if such a repair is covered under a warranty.
Also, there are many tropical wood species that evaporate moisture at faster rates than domestic species. Also, the resins and oils in tropical woods can interfere with moisture content readings, which can make it difficult to determine if it’s time to acclimate them.
The rule of thumb is to keep relative humidity between 30 and 50 per cent year-round. The temperature should be kept between 60° and 80° Fahrenheit. There are geographic exceptions to these guidelines, so ask your flooring professional and check product specifications from the product guide for further assistance.
In cases where the initial finishing has rubbed or scraped off, there will be a need for a refinishing job to restore the looks.
This multiple-layer manufacturing process allows us to make better use of the trees we all love so much – by removing defective or softer wood and increasing the usable widths that can be used in the final product. Engineered hardwood floors can be floated, but not solid hardwood floors.
The price of unfinished hardwood floors is less than their pre-finished counterparts, making them much more affordable for homeowners. Because they’re less costly to produce, the price point to the end consumer can also be slashed down. As these materials come without any additional layer of sealant or coating that would make them tougher, their prices are naturally reduced, as such cutting the sales cost.
They are highly customisable
There are various benefits to raw floorboard site-finishing, including the freedom to choose from more than a dozen stains and finishes that can match your home’s design.
This is not possible with pre-finished floors, which come in limited styles and do not allow you to create customized colours and textures. Raw floors also offer greater durability and less waste through their ability to be repaired and refinished multiple times
Adds a natural touch to your home decor
Your finished floorboards will provide an attractive contrast to the rest of your home furnishings and would look great with either hardwood or cotton sprigs. They will match with your other vertical surfaces, such as walls or even blueprints for your new addition to space.
Complications are less likely
If you need to replace your floor or are looking for a way to dress up an existing floor, unfinished wood planks might be the answer for you. If your old floor has become worn and dinged, or if your new furniture doesn’t fit in with the look of the hardwood in the room, consider buying unfinished beauty.
Many homes and spaces are renovated with flooring that has built-in quarter round mouldings which cover the expansion gap near doors. However, many homeowners will choose to install quarter round mouldings on existing floors in an attempt to match the flooring to the walls. This is a simple process and requires basic carpentry skills. If properly installed, your quarter round mouldings will look finished and professional.
T-Moulding: T-mouldings cover expansion joints in larger rooms. You probably will need to add one in a doorway if the floating floor is for a large area, such as a living room. But it’s also common to include one within an entrance hall because there are typically walls on both sides of the entryway. T-mouldings can even be installed in hallways, separating the hallway from a large area like a family room or kitchen.
Reducer Molding: A reducer or sometimes called a sloping floor, merged moulding, or just slope is a piece of moulding that serves to reduce the height of one floor to that of the next lower floor. They are commonly installed on the landing of stairs and on the floors of entryways and doorways connecting multiple story levels. Reducers are used in these situations for aesthetic purposes, but can also be used for levelling out the floor as well. This term is usually used when building stairs however you can also find them on transitions between rooms.
Stair Nose: Stair nose moulding is a type of moulding that can be used on almost any type of staircase to create a finished look. It provides a clean transition from your new laminate or hardwood flooring to the stairs. In addition, it provides protection to your stairway edge so that you don’t trip or fall. If you are replacing an old staircase and want to completely redecorate, stairs nose moulding helps make this project easier.
Versa Edge Stair Nose: This stair nose moulding is an easy installation that should only take you around 15 minutes to complete. It comes with everything you need including the adhesive and a taping knife with directions. This trim just snaps together, making installation super simple. It tucks into place over the edge of the flooring leading up to the step (it’s not a true landing) which provides a little more substance to the stairs while providing a more tailored look.
What Are Floor Mouldings
Mouldings are an important aspect of your flooring project. Although they don’t necessarily affect floor installation, they will definitely affect the look of the finished room.
Whether you are doing a new flooring installation, or just replacing some damaged pieces you have, the position of the room will determine which mouldings you will need. For example, a bathroom is installed on top of a wet area (in some cases), so there’s no worry about moisture causing any problems for your wood.
However, if your room is in a secluded spot in your homes like an office or bedroom, you might need to take extra precautions to guarantee the health and longevity of your hardwood flooring.
Floors should be acclimated: Let your new board floor acclimate to the room temperature and humidity for at least three days. Some flooring manufacturers recommend up to seven days. During this period, keep the room’s doors and windows closed to isolate the flooring. Open the room slowly to provide time for moisture in the wood to adjust back to normal humidity.
Preparing your subfloor: Removing old flooring and any residue is an important part of floor cleaning to remove any remaining stains and contamination from the surface.
This is especially true if the flooring has been installed recently or if there are signs of moisture damage such as damp spots or mould growth. Because asbestos which is sometimes mixed with other materials such as rubber or wood is dangerous if breathed in or inhaled, avoid using mould-filled materials for cleaning work. Instead, use an asbestos vacuum that is specifically designed for this task.
The boards should be installed: Once you have cut them all to size (I advise planning your floor before cutting down the planks), you can begin installing the wooden flooring. The first step is to sand down any rough edges and fill in the gaps between each plank. I took the lazy way out and filled in each gap with wood filler.
It is generally advisable that you employ the services of a known professional to give your flooring job a professional look. However, if you feel experienced enough and are confident that you can do the job perfectly, then there is no reason why you cannot take on such a task. Of course, you will need the right tools for the job and it will help if you are committed to giving it your personal touch and unique sense of style.
Easy to clean: Hardwood floors look great and are relatively easy to take care of. To keep your hardwood floors looking their best, you should vacuum them at least once a week to pick up any dust, dirt, debris, or pet hair that inevitably floats around your house. Mop the floor at LEAST once a week using hot water and a clean cloth mop. A microfiber mop is preferred as it will not scratch your floor. To dry the floor after mopping, I suggest walking over the floor dry with an absorbent towel.
A combination of strength and durability: Hardwood floors come in different types, such as solid, engineered, and parquet. Some types of wooden flooring are more durable than others, depending on how heavily they are used in the household. Solid hardwood floors are durable and functional but may warp or split with higher foot traffic.
Engineered wood floors are assembled with multiple layers of hardwood plywood and glue to create a solid surface, as they have few knots and splices. Parquet floors, on the other hand, can be made from solid wood but have a high percentage of point-to-point contact that creates an extremely dense finish.
An excellent long-term investment: Installing hardwood floors can greatly increase the value of your home. If you’re looking to buy a new house or fix up your old one, choosing hardwood floors is a great investment because they will add value to your property. Many real estate agents actually list the features of hardwood floors as a positive feature of any home on the market when deciding which property to sell first.
There are varieties to choose: Hardwoods are one of the most traditional types of flooring. They add a classic look that is both elegant and timeless. When it comes to choosing a type of hardwood, there are many options to choose from! There are several species available, ranging in colour, grain, and price.
For example, hickory species are moderately priced and have noticeable grain. Cherry is slightly more expensive than hickory but has a finer grain pattern and premium colour. Hickory is popular for general use hardwood floors because of its cost-effectiveness and its beautiful wood grain patterns.
Never use too much water on wood, since it could soak into the wood and cause warping. A damp cloth is enough. When cleaning the surface of wood, always use a circular motion and use a soft microfiber cloth to avoid additional scratching to the surface. With proper cleaning and care, your wood floors and wood furniture will be able to last for years to come.
Another option you can consider is to use a matching baby threshold that would lip over the tile and hide the uneven edge. Fit it, fill the void, undercut stops and secure with adhesive. Trim the door bottom if needed. The bottom of the baby threshold might have to be shaved off so it sits level.
To remove wood floor stains, first determine what the ring looks like. Its appearance is important to help you figure out how to best address the wood floor stain. White stains, for example, indicate a type of water stain that can be easy to remove. The colour indicates whether the stain is located in the floor’s finish or the waxy surface layer of the floor.
If you have particularly tricky spots try using a cleaner and scrub pad made for urethane floors. If both of the methods above fail, you can try the following ideas for how to remove watermarks from wood floors. Cover the stain with a dry cotton cloth and rub with a hot iron (set to no steam) for two to three seconds.
For greasy stains, such as oil and butter, on wax or penetrating finished floors, rub the area with kitchen soap that has a high lye content.
