Questions & Answers
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What's the most durable wood for flooring?
When it comes to the most durable wood you can use for flooring, you'd want to refer to the Janka hardness scale. You can check it out at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test. According to that's scale, the most durable you can use for hardwood flooring is the Australian Buloke. Generally, the more durable the wood, the more expensive it becomes. Hence, you'd want to find a balance between durability and affordability. You'd also want to check the availability.
Is it advisable to float a hardwood flooring?
Generally, it is highly inadvisable to float hardwood flooring over radiant heating. If you are bent on a radiant heating system, then you should look for other types of flooring materials.
How will moisture affect hardwood flooring?
Moisture can cause a plethora of undesirable effects on hardwood flooring, such as cracking, buckling, or cupping. Hence, you should never use water as a cleaning agent for hardwood flooring.
Is it possible to use hardwood flooring for the basement area?
While no one will stop you from doing it, but it's highly recommended that you do not do such a thing.
The basement is prone to collecting water and moisture, which does not work well with hardwood flooring.
Other wood-based materials are more suitable for the basement, such as engineered or laminated wood.
Do I really need to use a moisture barrier even if the wood is above grade?
The short answer is yes. It's all about cost-efficiency. For example, the cost of a 15-pound felt barrier is a
lot cheaper when compared to the cost of installing new hardwood flooring due to damages brought by
moisture.
After installation, what should I look for to ensure that I do not have moisture-related damages?
The most after-installation problems that are caused by moisture are crowning or cupping. Hence, be on
the lookout for such abnormalities. These defects typically occur when the board does not dry evenly after
the installation process.
What's the proper way of cleaning hardwood flooring?
The best way to clean your hardwood flooring is to regularly vacuum, dust mop, and sweep. Keep in
mind that a dry mop is always recommended, like the Swiffer. You should be careful using excessive
moisture to clean the floors. Perhaps, you can use a damp mop for cleaning spills from time to time.
Is it ok to use commercial cleaners?
The short answer is yes. However, always follow the recommendations of the manufacturers when it
comes to commercial cleaning agents, whether you have a pre-finished or unfinished flooring. What is
highly not recommended is the use of wax-based cleaner
How do I clean stubborn stains?
For stubborn stains, you can try applying the manufacturer's recommended cleaning solution in a soft
cloth and scrub it in the affected area. If the stain is too severe, then you might want to call an expert to help
you with a situation. The worst thing you can do is force the situation, which can then lead to damages to the
floor. By then, you'll have more problems than hardwood flooring stains.
Guidelines From Calabrese Flooring Co
Guidelines From Calabrese Flooring Co
Here are some more questions answered & Guidelines to follow to prepare for your Flooring Installations
Installing and refinishing hardwood floors can boost the curb appeal of any home. However, there will be some disruption in daily life. We will try our best to minimize disruption.
We will use advanced equipment, eco-friendly and safe materials, and well-trained and experienced professionals to make the process fast without causing much disruption. Here are the details of our process to prepare you for the project.
Wood Floors: New Installations
We will not move your furniture, toilets, sinks, and appliances. You should not expect any exception.
We will request you to clear counter tops and remove wall hangings from the work area.
Once the project is complete, our team will vacuum counter tops and window seals in the immediate area only.
Hardwood needs to be acclimated at least five to ten days before the scheduled date of the installation.
This is important for your home, not for a basement or garage.
The temperature or humidity needs to be normal between 65 and 80 degrees and 35 and 50% humidity for the proper acclimation of the wood.
Flooring & Sanding Preparation
We will not remove your appliances, furniture, sinks, or toilets. During the work, you will not experience any noise, vibration, light dust, and vapors.
Be Familiar with Our New Dustless Service
We use dust-containment equipment. But there will be a light dusting after the completion of the project. When you select an atomic ninety-seven percent dust-free sanding option, the dust will be negligible. This is an excellent dust containment system and will minimize the dust significantly.
However, there might be some dust while tearing out the existing carpets, preparing your stairs, cutting in flush mount vents, and pepping lace. The vibration of our sanders can also lose dust on your ceilings or walls.
Calabrese Flooring Co Does Not Use Plastic Hanging
If you want an oil-based finish
If you want an oil-based finish, make sure that your kids and pets are not around while applying the finish
coat. They should be out of the home during the final coat and twelve hours after the application. During the
final coat, none of your family members should be present. There will be no airflow. We will turn off all the
fans, A/C, and heaters. Also, all the interior and exterior doors will be closed. If you do not follow this, the
change in air can cause air-borne dust leading to a dirty coat. We will not be accountable for the dirty coat.
You can access your home after twelve hours of drying time.
This much time is need for proper drying up.
After that, the floors will not be affected by foot traffic and light. Drying time might be increased depending
on the humidity level and temperature. If you use an oil-based finish, you will have to be prepared for an
intense solvent odor. It might take three to five days to get rid of that odor.
If you choose the water-based finish
If you choose the water-based finish, you do not need to send your kids and pets away during the sealer and
first coat. However, all of you need to be out of the home during the final coat. Similarly, there should not be
any airflow. That means all the fans, A/C, and heaters will be switched off and interior and exterior doors
will be closed to avoid air born dust and a dirty coat. Again, Brothers Flooring will not be accountable for
this.
With the water-based finish, you can return to your home after four hours of the application of the final coat.
The floor will be suitable for light and foot traffic. You are allowed to wear socks only, with no shoes. The
curing time will be for seven days. You should not replace mats and rugs until your floor is cured fully. You
can keep your furniture twenty-four hours after the final coat. However, the floor will be susceptible to
marring or scuffing during the curing time. Avoid using detergent to clean floors in the first week.
Hardwood Floor Stain
You will have to keep the following things in your mind while deciding to stain the floor.
Staining will demand more time, up to a day. Additional steps are needed in the sanding process for staining.
Also, the stain will need twelve hours for drying up.
It is nearly impossible to find the exact existing stain color. You can expect a close match.
The overtime stain fading and different manufacturers make it almost impossible to find the exact stain.
Also, stain reacts differently to different types of woods.
For example, a pine baseboard with a nutmeg stain
will look completely different from the oak floor with a nutmeg stain. The stain will look different
depending on the wood. We can mix custom stain to get your preferred color.
You will have to decide the stain color while starting the sanding.
Our team will sand a section and then mix and match the colors to get your desired color. After that, we will ask for your signature on the paperwork of Calabrses Flooring Co as your acknowledgment of the stain color.
Hardwood Oil-based Finish Characteristics
The oil-based finish needs twelve hours of drying time. It will have an intense odor and it will amber over
time. It will take thirty days to complete curing. You will have to avoid applying tapes to your floors for
forty-five days. If you do this, it will peel off the finish. Even the manufacturers suggest waiting for twenty four hours before placing your furniture on floors
Hardwood Water-based Finish Characteristics
It will have three to four hours drying time with negligible odor. It is the hardest finish available in the
current market. The water-based finish will stay clear for the lifetime. It will be cured up to seventy-five
percent within twenty-four hours. However, the floor will be suitable for lights and socks after three to four
hours. You can place furniture after twenty-four hours knowing that your floor is susceptible to marring and
scuffing. Avoid applying tape for forty-five days as this can peel off the finish. Also, avoid sliding
appliances or furniture across the floor. You can put mats and rugs after seven days once it is completely
cured.
Hardwood Floor: HVAC Vent Covers
We can provide flush mount cold air returns and flush mount vents for an additional upgrade. These are
stocked in our vans and available in our shops. You can get standard sizes. We can make cold air vents
within four to six weeks. However, you will have to choose this option while deciding on your project.
Flush-mount vents look great. These are also removable and lasting. We will number all the vents for easy
removal and installation. We will show you how these are numbered and can be fitted into the frames so that
you can remove or install without professional’s help.
Hardwood Floors: Atomic Dustless Sanding
If you choose the ninety-seven percent dustless sanding option, we will ask you to remember a few things.
Needless to mention, there is no way to make it 100% dust-free. Even if you choose this option, you can
expect some dust.
The dust might be created while preparing the existing floor for the new floor installation. You can
experience dust while tearing out the old flooring or carpet, preparing the staircase, cutting in flush mount
vents, and even from the vibration that comes while installing the new floor. However, we will try our best
to minimize the dust.
Our crew will do the cutting job in a confined room or outside area with your approval. Our experts will
vacuum and wipe down the window sills and countertops of the working area and adjacent rooms. If you
have ever sanded your floor without using a dustless system, you will notice a major difference. You will
certainly appreciate the cleanliness. You will not have to spend hours to clean the thick layers of dust.
It will save both your time & money!
Hardwood Floor: Stairs
You will have to keep the following things in your mind while installing new hardwood stairs. Stair
preparation is generally considered dusty since most of the stairs are made of the particleboard. However, we
will vacuum up the area soon after the preparation is done.
We will not make your stairs by using the strip
flooring. Instead, we will use solid stair leads, a veneer riser, or solid stair risers wherever necessary.
It might be a bit expensive. But it will ensure the beauty and longevity of the staircase.
Calabrese Flooring Co will not skirt stringers for skirting.
So, it can be damaged easily with everyday use. We
will suggest you stain or repaint them by professionals to boost the durability. We will fill the scrapes or
holes during the installation.
New hardwood stairs look appealing and will not wear out easily like your carpeted stairs.
Therefore, Calabrese Flooring Co will recommend all the homeowners to install wood stairs to get a slicker and smoother
appearance compared to the carpeted option.
This is important especially when you have young kids, older
pets, and disability issues in your home. We are concerned about your safety and can certainly help you to
create a safe environment for your entire family.
Hardwood Floor: Project Timelines
Our office manager and estimators can help you with a rough timeline. However, it might not be possible to
give the exact day to complete the job. The timeline will vary depending on the difficulty level of tearing out
the existing flooring, the species of the wood, and your specific requirements.
The sanding project of 500 sq. ft. and even smaller will take two to three days. An average install and
sanding of 1000 sq. ft. project or less might take five working days. We will try to finish your project fast.
Once we start the project, we will be working everyday (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays) until
the completion of your project. You will get regular updates. If the lead man is absent due to illness, we
might stop for a day and will resume the next day.
When it comes to the payment, it must be scheduled in the morning of the final coat or of the completion of
the project.
Hardwood Floor: After the Completion of the Project
Once the project is complete, you might prefer a light paint touch up on your baseboard, walls, and shoe
moldings. Even if Calabrese Flooring Co uses dust-containment equipment, you might need a light dusting soon
after the completion of our job.
Our Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (any indiscretion will be notified)
Our Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 7: 00a.m. to 4: 00p.m.
Payment will be made in the morning, the day of job completion or final coat. We offer flexible payment
options. We will accept check, cash, or MasterCard/Visa.
As we do not require an upfront deposit, we will
want immediate payment. If the payment is not made on the morning of the day of the final coat or job
completion, we will be forced to pull off the work until payment is made.
You can talk to Mike Wong owner of the Calabrese Flooring Co before the payment date for other arrangements.
Hardwood Floor: Care & Maintenance
You will have to sweep your floors daily to protect it from gravel or grit. Wipe spills from the surface as
soon as you notice it. Moisture will soften the finish and can buckle flooring.
You can consider screening and coating every two to three years to boost the longevity of your floor and to
save your money on re-sanding.
Avoid using Murphy’s Oil, Pledge, Swifter, or any other floor cleaners. These cleaners might cause wax
buildup leading to re-sanding. You can consider buying our cleaning kit to clean your floors.
We will recommend installing a humidifier in the furnace. You can also use a portable humidifier in your
home to reduce contraction or expansion of floors.
You will have to maintain the 35 to 50% humidity level in your home to prevent floor shrinking.
In the absence of the required humidity level, the floor will shrink or crack. We can hire us to prevent
shrinking or read the humidity level when it is not between 35 to 50%. We will charge $75.00 for the
humidity reading.
Payment must be made in the morning of the completion of the job or final coat.
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