Direction of Wood
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We can run floating hardwood floors and glue
down wood floors in any direction. Please notify your sales professional if you
have a preference.
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Nail-down hardwood floors must be run perpendicular
to your floor joists.
Hardwood Grades
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No two hardwood boards look alike. Each hardwood
board, however, is assigned a “grade” by a professional lumber grader at the mill.
This grade organizes hardwood boards around common characteristics listed below:
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CLEAR grade contains more uniform coloring
and characteristics.
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SELECT grade contains slightly more
natural wood characteristics and color variation.
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#1 COMMON grade contains prominent color
variations and varying characteristics
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NATURAL grade contains pronounced variations
in natural wood coloring from deep to light brown. All natural tones of this wood
are accepted, including mineral streaks, secure knots, and honeycombs.
Hardwood Installation
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Despite what many people say, putting top nails
in the floor is necessary. This is done to nail down the hardwood in an area where
the regular nail gun cannot operate, or to improve a board’s stability in the middle
of the floor.
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During installation, some boards may splinter
or crack. If this occurs,
Quality Carpet One
will remedy the situation by either filling
the void or replacing the board.
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The replacement stair nosing may not cover
small holes on the side of the steps that were previously covered by the existing
stair nosing or carpet.
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Quality Carpet One
always boxes in bull nose steps. Please
discuss this with your sales professional before installation.
Transitions
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The transitions will not match the grain and
color of the hardwood 100%. The portion of the tree used for transitions may be
different from that used for the hardwood board. This difference is more pronounced
in stair nosing.
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Our sales professionals use their best judgment
for determining what transitions are required. However, if you have any preferences,
please discuss them with your sales consultant at the time of the sale.
Small Imperfections
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Filler is used to mask small imperfections
in the manufacturing of the floor. It is standard procedure to fill in areas such
as nail holes, gaps, or chips that are smaller than the width a penny. Very rarely
does a board need to be replaced.
Leftover Hardwood
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The typical waste factor for hardwood floors
is 7% or higher, depending upon the shape of the room and the material being used.
Please let the installers know if you would like to keep any opened cartons of leftovers
for future repairs, etc.
Post Installation of Hardwood
Humidity and Temperature
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Since wood is a product of nature, it is very
common for wood flooring to expand and contract as the seasons change.
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You should maintain proper climate controls
at your home to prevent excessive gaps from appearing in your hardwood floor. A
temperature of 70° F (21° C) and relative humidity of 35% to 50% are ideal.
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In colder climates,
Quality Carpet One
recommends the use of a humidifier during winter
months when the humidity drops. This is most important in the first year following
a hardwood installation.
Sunlight
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