Thank you for purchasing your hardwood floor at the Carpet & Flooring Network

Your hardwood floor, if properly maintained, will provide long lasting enjoyment. However, being a product from nature, hardwood flooring has several characteristics that must be considered. The following checklist is designed to familiarize you with these characteristics.

  • Beautiful hardwood floors are a product of nature and are therefore not perfect. Accepted industry standards permit a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. The Defects may be of a manufacturing or a natural type.
  • Your wood floor will be affected by two distinct humidity seasons – Heating and Non-Heating. Wood floor dimensions will be affected by varying levels of humidity. Care should be taken to control humidity levels within the 40% to 60% range.
  • HEATING SEASON (Dry): Humidifier is required to minimize shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions. Gaps between the boards may develop despite your best efforts.
  • NON-HEATING SEASON (Humid): Proper humidity levels can be maintained by using an air conditioner, dehumidifier or by turning on your heating system (summer fan). Avoid excessive water from being tracked in during periods of inclement weather. Do not obstruct, in any way, the expansion joints around the perimeter of your floors.
  • In-floor heating must not exceed 85 degrees.
  • Never clean your wood floor with water and/or vinegar. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water, such as Oil Soap. This may result in loss of warranty. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the wood. Only use cleaners approved by the manufacturer.
  • Use mats at entrances to keep grit and moisture from being tracked in. Do not use rubber, foam back or plastic mats as they may discolor the floor.
  • Exposure to sunlight will bring about subtle changes to the shade of any harwood floor. This is not a defect. Area rugs, and furniture should be occasionally relocated to provide even changes in shading.
  • Grit and dirt may scratch your wood floor. High heels can also dent floors. Vacuum frequently with a soft brush attachment.
  • Appliances cannot be moved without floor protection such as Glide Guards or Hardboard Strips (at least 6” wide).
  • Felt pads or floor protectors, are required under furniture to minimize scratches. Certain types of casters may damage your Floor.
  • Damage (dents, scratches, stains, etc.) are NOT covered by warranty.
  • Your traffic areas will be the first to show signs of finish wear. This decrease in the luster level of the wood floor is expected. All hardwood will at some time require re-coating.
  • Every piece of wood in your hardwood floor is different from each other. This is apparent from the variance in grain and colour. Wood is full of holes, like a sponge, and like a sponge it absorbs moisture. One piece of wood may have more or less grain than another piece, and therefore have more or less holes. The more grain/holes, the more shrinkage/expansion with change in humidity. From this we see the development of Overwood. Overwood is apparent on pre-finished floors from day one. Overwood will develop on site-finished floors, through a couple of heating seasons. Overwood is NOT A DEFECT. This may be up to the thickness of a credit card
  • As the installer builds your Floor he will cull the wood. Due to a change in the wood’s moisture content, from time of milling, there will be warped boards and slight dimensional changes in each Wood Piece. The installer will incorporate these pieces into your floor. Some gaps may be apparent, but limited.
  • Minor splinters may be apparent on your new floor, but will wear off. This is NOT A DEFECT.
  • Use of stain, filler, or putty stick for defect correction during installation and possible repair should be accepted as normal procedure.
  • The industry standard for wood floor inspections is to observe the Floor from a standing position with normal lighting.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

We will install your hardwood floor in accordance to practiced industry standards. We will ensure the optimum installation conditions that are within our control, both on site and with the wood (e.g., moisture content of wood, level sub-floor, moisture content of sub-floor.)