Consider the following six things when selecting a wood floor which is right for you:

1. Types of Wood Floors
2. Styles of Wood Floors
3. Prefinished or Job-Site Finished
4. Selecting a Species
5. Selecting a Finish
6. Customizing your Wood Floor

There are three types of wood flooring. The following information about these three types of wood will help you find the right one for you.

 

		Solid: Is simply one piece of wood from top to bottom. In most cases, solid flooring is nailed down to 3/4" plywood and is excellent for most areas of a home on the ground level or above. Solid flooring allows you to customize by including borders, patterns, and corner treatments.
Engineered: Is a wood flooring product that consists of layers of wood pressed together. Engineered flooring is ideal for glue-down installation or float-in installation above grade, on grade, or below grade including basements and humid climates. Because the grains run in different directions, engineered florring is more dimensionally stable than solid wood.
		Acrylic Impregnated: Is a process where acrylics are injected into the wood creating super-hard, extremely durable flooring. They are used mainly in commercial installations or in heavy traffic areas.

Wood Flooring Styles

Wood flooring is available in many styles. You may combine these styles for a personalized floor.

		Strip: Is linear flooring usually 2 1/4" wide but also available in 1 1/2" and 2" widths. This sytle creates a linear effect and can promote the illusion of a larger space.
		Plank: Is also linear flooring, but it is wider than Strip flooring. Widths range from 3" to 8". This style is perfect for traditional or country decor.
		Parquet: Is a series of wood flooring pieces that creates a geometric design. This style provides an attractive alternative to linear flooring.

Factory or Job-Site Finish

Once you have selected the type and style of your wood flooring, you should consider whether you prefer a finish that is applied at the factory or on the job-site.

Prefinished: Is where the finish is applied at the factory. Several finish options are available such as oil-based or water-based urethane. Prefinished flooring eliminates the dust and noise as well as the acclimating and curing times. We offer excellent prefinished flooring from Junckers, Harris-Tarkett, Hartco, Kahrs, Legend, and others.

 

 

Job-Site: Is where the finish is applied at the place of installation. You can choose the type of finish and may also select a stain to customize the color of your floor. Usually solid wood flooring is finished at the job-site (but solid wood flooring is also available prefinished) and engineered wood flooring usually comes prefinished (but engineered wood is also available unfinished). Sanding and finishing on-site creates dust and noise from the equipment, and curing times prevent you from using that particular room or area of your house for a period of time.

 

Important Information on Wood Job-Site Installations and Refinishes

Wood Job-Site Installations and Refinishes

The following information is provided to answer frequently asked questions about wood installation and finishing. Please read this information carefully. If you have any additional questions, please call or e-mail us

Installation

During the installation process, the floor can be walked on. Expect some dust and noise. Remember that your floors are "under construction" and some inconvenience, dust, and paint touch up should be expected at the completion of the floor. Dust protection is the home owners responsibility. We will assist you with general dust protection (hang plastic from major openings to the area we are working in) however, should you have furnishings that are sensitive to fine dust, it is recommended that you cover them separately. Anticipate that the areas located near the new floors will require a dusting or cleaning. After the completion of the floor installation, a wood filler is used to fill in any cracks or gaps in the wood. Following this process the wood needs to sit at least one week to acclimate to the humidity or moisture levels in the home. You can walk on the floors at this time.

Sanding

This is the point at which the most dust and noise are created. It is also the point at which walking on the floors is eliminated until the finish process is completed. The floors are sanded down to a uniform level. Should you be considering a "refinish" to your existing hardwood floors, this is the point at which we would begin.

Staining

After the sanding is completed the floor is vacuumed and ready to be stained, if a stain or color is to be applied. Stain selection will be done with the customer present on the newly sanded floor. Remember that lighting and wall color will sometimes affect the stain color. We can provide several color samples from which to choose.

Finishing

After the stain is applied or if the floor is to go natural (with no stain or added color) the first coat of finish is applied. Most floors are finished with an oil based polyurethane finish, a durable finish. Slaughterbeck Floors applies three coats of finish. Between each coat we "screen" the floor and inspect it for any cracks and apply putty. Again, it is very important to stay off the floor at this time. Humidity and other moisture factors will affect drying time, however usually we do a coat a day. Base and trim is usually installed between the second and third coats of finish.

Curing

After 24 hours, your new floor is walkable in stocking feet, after 72 hours you can walk on the floor in soft soled street shoes. You can also begin to set, not drag, furniture in place. Curing is usually complete after two full weeks. After the two full weeks area rugs can be put down.

Recoats
A recoat is a new coat of finish applied to the floor without sanding down to the raw wood; it is a way to "restore the luster" to the floor. Your floor will not accept a "recoat" if there is any oil or wax residue on the floor. This is important to remember if you wish to consider future "recoats". The floors "acceptance of a recoat" is solely the responsibility of the home owner.