Can I install a solid wood floor over a concrete slab?

It is not recommended to install solid wood flooring over a concrete slab. Although this is the general rule, there have been successful installations of solid wood flooring installed over dry, concrete slabs. This entails several additional steps. A plastic barrier is set over the slab and taped at all seams. Then some sort of moisture-resistant wood subfloor (marine plywood) is built on top of the plastic film. Then the flooring is nailed to the wood subfloor. If you decide to take the chance be sure to consult with the manufacturer as to their recommendations. Be aware, you may be voiding your warranty.

There is a new synthetic underlayment product on the market (called Sika AcouBond) that may allow for installing solid wood flooring over a dry slab. Check with the manufacturer of the wood floor to see if they will warranty this type of installation and what their recommended installation procedures are for this type of installation.

What wood floor can I install over a concrete slab?

With the improvements in hardwood floors most engineered and longstrip engineered plank floors can be used over a concrete slab. Manufacturers do not recommend using solid wood floors over a slab. Engineered planks and strip wood floors can be glued directly to a clean, dry, well-cured concrete slab. Some engineered wood floors can be glued at the tongue and grooves and then allowed to be floated over a special padding that is laid over the concrete slab. Longstrip engineered planks can be floated over the slab with a padding underneath. There are some new "hybrid" engineered floors that can be floated over a concrete slab and come with a click (glueless) tongue and groove locking system.

Note: New concrete slabs need to be fully cured for a least 60 days. All wood planks should be acclimated for 24-48 hours prior to installation. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's recommended installation procedures.

Can we install a hardwood floor over an existing vinyl floor?

Yes and no. Is the vinyl flooring is tightly secured to the subfloor? Does the vinyl flooring have a thick cushion attached? If the vinyl floor is thin and well secured to the subfloor you may be able to float a wood floor over it. In some situations you may be able nail/staple a wood floor over it also. If the wood subfloor is sound you may be able to nail a solid wood floor over the top. Be sure to get the manufacturer's installation procedures for going over an existing vinyl floor and be sure to check if this type installation is warranted by the manufacturer.

What to I do to remove scratches in my wood floor?

This really depends on the type of wood floor you have, the finish you have and how deep the scratches are in the top layer. For small minor scratches in a urethane finish you should be able to order a touch-up kit from the store you purchased the flooring from. Be sure to use the manufacturer's recommended finish products and test first by applying a small amount in an out of the way area. For deep scratches you will probably have to have a professional do a screen and recoat. This is where they use special sanding screens to lightly abrade the floor's finish to help the new urethane bond better to the existing finish. With some wood floors you may be able to just replace the damaged boards. It is best to leave the sand and recoat, or board replacement to a professional flooring installer, or refinisher.

Can I install a hardwood floor if I have pets?

Although many homeowners have pets, hardwood flooring is not designed for the abuse a dog or cat can cause on a floor. Urine may permanently discolor the finish of the wood floor and large dogs' claws will probably leave scratches in the finish. The type of wood floor you buy, the color and the finish will also be factor in how much punishment the floor's finish can withstand before showing scratches and excessive wear.

Can an engineered wood floor be refinished?

Some of the better quality engineered wood floors have a 1/8" thick finish layer and can be sanded and refinished 1 or maybe 2 times. The sanding and refinishing of an engineered wood floor is best done by an experienced hardwood flooring refinisher. If you have heat vents in your floor you can remove a heat cover to get a side view of your wood floor. This will help you check to see how thick you finish layer is. Always consult with the manufacturer to see if the recommend sanding and refinishing of the engineered wood floors.

Can I use throw rugs on my hardwood floor?

Before using any throw rugs on your wood floor you should know the type of finish you have on the floor. All rugs should be non-staining, meaning the colored dyes will not bleed. Generally in the presence of moisture, some dyes used in rugs may bleed through onto your floor and discolor the wood floors surface. Also, be sure the rug does not have a rough backing material that may scratch the surface of the floor. Clean dirt and debris from under the rug regularly. To prevent possible shading of the wood underneath the rug, move the rug occasionally.

How do we stop a wood floor from gapping?

Gapping in solid wood floors cannot be stopped completely. Wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity. Using a humidifier during the heating months may help reduce the amount of gapping in solid wood floors. Also, some wood species may gap expand and contract less than others. Engineered wood floors are much more dimensionally stable than solid wood floors and will show little or no gaps between planks.

What should I use under furniture legs?

Most flooring stores carry the recommended felt pads for using under chair legs and other furniture. The felt pads come in various sizes. Some pads just stick on the bottom of the legs and others need to be nailed on. Never hit the pads directly with a hammer. Follow the directions provided with the pads. Check and clean the pads often to prevent debris, dirt and small particles from being trapped in the pad, which may cause scratches in the wood floor's finish.

What is the difference between engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring?

Each have their specific uses and the answer depends on your lifestyle and specific needs. Solid wood should be in a moisture-controlled environment. Solid wood strip or plank is usually nailed down, when it will require a timber sub floor, but narrow planks can be glued. Engineered wood flooring consists of a multi-plied, cross-stacked backing with a top layer of your selected species. Engineered wood flooring can be installed in areas where solid wood is not compatible due to moisture.

How long does it take to fit a wood floor?

Approximately 20 square metres can be fitted per day on average. However there are many variables and this is a ball park figure only.

Can solid wood floors be glued down?

Solid wood flooring can expand and contract more than engineered boards, however recent successes have shown that narrow solid boards can be glued successfully.

Can I install my own hardwood flooring?

You can install your own hardwood floor. However, unless you have some experience of fitting floors we strongly urge you to have your floor fitted professionally.

What guarantee do I get when I purchase a floor ?

All floors we sell comes with 25 years manufacturer warranty.

Can I have engineered boards fitted over other floor coverings such as floor tiles or vinyl?

Yes, so long as the floor is a well secured flat hard surface and is free from damp and/or moisture. We do not recommend that you have any wood flooring installed over carpet.

Will the colour of the floor change over time?

Most floors will change in colour over a period of time, but to what extent depends largely on the species of wood and where it is situated. Some woods lighten slightly when exposed to light and others darken. If your floor is in a room where there is a lot of sunlight i.e. a conservatory, then the colour change may be more noticeable.

Are hardwood floors a good choice for asthma sufferers?

Yes. Allergists often recommend bare floors, which reduce the chance for animal hair, dust, pollen or molds to collect. As much as one-fifth of the population suffers breathing difficulties caused by allergies and asthma, often triggered by microscopic dust mites that colonize bedding, curtains and carpets. Bedding and curtains can be laundered, but because frequent vacuuming is ineffective against dust mites in floor coverings, many immunologists and allergists suggest hardwood floors as a way of helping to keep these ailments under control.

Can old hardwood floors be repaired?

Yes, we are able to repair your existing hardwood floor.

My floor has a crack in it - is that normal?

Because wood is a natural product it will react to changes in its environment. The most common causes of separations are Mother Nature and dryness. The loss of moisture is the most frequent reason for shrinkage of individual pieces and cracks. Most cracks are seasonal – they appear in dry months, or the cold season when heating is required, and close during humid periods. This type of separation and close is considered normal.

Is wood suitable in toilets, kitchens and bathrooms?

Most engineered wood species are suitable to be put in areas that may be subject to excess moisture as the lacquer finish will protect the boards but it is not recommended to use solid wood flooring in areas where there is high humidity or excessive moisture. It is not advisable to leave wet bath mats and towels etc sat on the floor, and spillages should be ,mopped up immediately. We advise against putting Beech in these areas as this species of wood is very sensitive to moisture.

What is the difference between Solid Hardwood and Laminate?
Solid wood flooring is made from one solid piece of wood, with no engineering or gluing. Laminate flooring has a fibreboard base, with an image of real wood on top.

So what is Engineered Hardwood flooring then?
Engineered Hardwood flooring is made from layers of plywood, sometimes with a fibreboard core, stacked in alternating patterns, finished with a hardwood veneer. These floors provide more stability than solid hardwood flooring in certain situations as they can be used in areas with higher humidity due to the flexibility that the manufacturing process adds.

How do I measure my flooring?
When measuring a space for your hardwood flooring, measure the room from wall to wall at the longest point in each direction, rounding your final dimensions up to the highest number.  Be sure to include any closet spaces in your calculations.  You want your wood flooring to flow into the closets, in order to create an optimal visual flow in the appearance.

How do we stop a solid hardwood floor from gapping?
Gapping cannot be stopped entirely, as wood will swell and contract naturally with the change in humidity of the room. Certain species of wood will expand and contract more than others.  See our page on Care, Upkeep and Humidity for more details.

When I walk across my hardwood floor, I hear creaking sounds. Why?
Creaking can occur from many conditions, but most often is because of the subfloor no longer being secured tightly enough to the floor joices.  When having new hardwood floors installed, let your installer know that you have creaking at the beginning.  This will allow them to screw the subfloor down tighter before your new floor is laid on top.

What is Cupping?
Cupping is when the edges of a board are high and its centre is lower.  It can occur after water spills onto the floor and is absorbed by the wood, but high humidity is more often the cause.  Cupping is a result of having a moisture imbalance through the thickness of the wood; the wood is wetter on the bottom of the board, than on the top.

What is Crowning?
Crowning is the opposite of cupping; the centre of a board is higher than the edges. Moisture imbalance is sometimes the cause of crowning; if excessive moisture is introduced on the top of the floor, perhaps from excess water used in maintenance, or the result of plumbing leaks.

Can I install hardwood in my home, even though I have pets?
Having hardwood floors in a home with pets can be a great alternative to carpeting.  Hardwood allows for more efficient tidying up of pet hair and dander, and makes clean up from unexpected accidents easier.  If you want to share your home with a pet, here are some helpful hints to prevent and decrease the wear of your flooring.
– Avoid spilling pet water, and be prepared to clean up any spills quickly.  Potentially putting a mat underneath the bowl can ensure spills won’t land on your floor.
– Trim your pet’s nails to avoid surface scratches
– Designate ‘pet free’ zones
– Use area rugs and mats in high traffic and play areas
– Choose a wood species with a higher janka hardness rating, one that cannot be scratched easily by your pet.  See our Janka Hardness page for more details.

INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

What areas of the house can I install a solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and laminate product?
Solid hardwood is typically only installed on the main or second floor of a house, usually by nailing or stapling it into a plywood subfloor.  Engineered Hardwood with a click mechanism and Laminate can be installed on any level of the house including the basement and can even be installed overtop of an existing tile or hardwood floor.  When installed like this, it is called a floating floor.

Can I install hardwood floors in any room in my house?
Hardwood is not recommended for rooms containing a shower or bathtub due to the potential for water damage and due to the high moisture content that is usually in these areas.  If you are debating installing hardwood in your bathroom, come in to one of our showrooms and talk to one of our flooring experts on the best way to proceed.

MAINTENANCE QUESTIONS

Are solid wood floors difficult to maintain and clean?
No, with new pre-finished flooring from Amazon Hardwood, you have a durable finish on the wood. As long as you do not clean the wood floor with a damp mop, it is easy to clean. Water should not be used to clean a wood floor because it will seep into the wood and lead to warping. For more details on cleaning your floor, see our Care, Upkeep and Humidity page.

How can I protect my hardwood floor from scratches?
We recommend not wearing high heels in the house, using floor protectors on the feet of furniture and chairs, area rugs in high traffic zones and door mats by any exterior doorways to help prevent scratches on your hardwood flooring.

Can my hardwood be dented?
With sufficient impact or pressure, any hardwood can dent. The higher that a wood is on the Janka scale, the harder it is to dent.  See our Janka Hardness page for more details.

Should I wax my solid hardwood or engineered hardwood floor?
No. Waxing is not recommended as it can dull the finish and leave the floor slippery and unsafe.