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Do you provide free estimates?
(Back to Top)
Yes, we will provide a free estimate. This will give us information
on the area we will be working in. Please
contact us and we will arrange a time that is convenient for you
for us to come out and take a look at your jobsite.
If I would like a hardwood floor, where do I begin?
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You can visit us at our showroom in Evergreen. We have samples
of many types of woods so you can get an idea of what you like. The first step will
be to choose a wood (color, durability, grade, width) that will fit your home. You
can also get an idea about what kind of finish you would like on your floor (matte,
semi-gloss, water-based, acid-cured, poly). You can also take a look at types of
stains which can highlight a floor (although, a natural floor is quite beautiful
without stain!).
What rooms should I consider for Hardwood floors?
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Hardwood can be installed in almost any room, with a few exceptions.
A full bathroom is not the best place for wood due to the high moisture level from
a tub/shower. While we can and do install flooring in bathrooms, the potential risk
of water damage is higher. Below grade areas, such as a basement with concrete floors,
are not usually suitable for Hardwood. Moisture tends to gradually come through
the concrete from the ground below, causing moisture problems. An engineered product
(ie. Pre-finished/Laminate) is usually a better choice for this type of area, but
many types of flooring can be installed with the proper techniques. We have a lot
of experience with installing all types of hardwood over concrete and radiant floors.
Please ask us about this and we can provide you with the information.
Wide Plank Flooring (Back to Top)
Wide Plank Flooring is a great way to compliment a beautiful
home. The wide face of the boards combined with the long board lengths will create
an appearance that will impress all who enter your home. Whether you are trying
to create the traditional rustic appeal of 19th Century craftsmanship or just want
to show off the elegant grains and textures of your exotic wood floor, a Wide Plank
Floor might just be the perfect choice for your home.
Wide Plank Flooring is usually milled in widths over 4”. The largest width
possible depends on the type of wood and the precision and experience of the mill.
Our Wide Plank Flooring is custom milled to your specifications, so any combination
of widths is possible. The most common random width combinations are 3”-7”
and 4” Ð 8”, but other widths are available. It is a long length product,
with board lengths from 5’ to 14’ with an average length of 10 feet.
Engineered Flooring (Back to Top)
An engineered floor usually comes pre-finished in long strips
or planks. It is made from several layers of criss-crossed laminated wood, topped
with the real wood finished surface. This increases the dimensional stability and
limits the normal expansion and contraction of wood flooring. This allows it to
be used in areas that would not normally be ideal for wood flooring. This type of
flooring can be stapled down, glued down or 'floated' depending on the situation.
Engineered flooring can also be used when height is an issue. Its usually thickness
is 1/4' whereas solid flooring is commonly 3/4" thick. The down-side of engineered
flooring is that it does not have the life-span of a solid Hardwood floor. Scratches
and more extreme damage (which may be fixed by sanding a solid floor) are not as
easily repaired.
Pre-Finished Flooring (Back to Top)
This type of flooring comes with a factory finish already
applied. There is no sanding/finishing done in the home. The flooring can be stapled
and glued to the sub-floor like other flooring. This type of flooring is becoming
increasingly popular due to the lack of dust and odor (sanding/finishing) and the
shorter time of the entire project (ie. no extra days needed for sanding/finishing).
The downside of Pre-Finished flooring is that imperfections (due to an unlevel sub-floor
or other flaws in the working environment) may be more noticeable. With an unfinished,
solid flooring, flaws and imperfections can be fixed or hidden during the sanding
process.
What is the cost of a hardwood floor? (Back to Top)
The cost will depend on the size of the area, the difficulty
of the job, and the type of wood desired. Here at Ward Hardwood, we use quality
woods and finishes, the best quality equipment and keep a small, well trained crew.
We may not be able to compete with other floor companies in pricing...but we can
win any competition for quality! We are proud of our work and will make sure the
the customer is completely satisfied with their floor.
How long will it take to get my floor done? (Back to Top)
For a typical 800 square foot job, it should take 1-2 days
to install the wood and 2 days to sand and apply 2 coats of finish. This, of course,
can vary with increase difficulty of the work.
How much notice is necessary for scheduling? (Back to Top)
We will need about 3 weeks notice for the more common types
of wood floors (ie. Red Oak, White Oak, Ash, Maple). We may need longer for wide
plank woods and exotic species. We acclimate all our woods in our warehouse to avoid
any issues with shrinkage due to Colorado's dry climate. We would also like to deliver
the wood to its final location (your home) 1 week before installation to allow the
wood to adjust to your specific elevation and climate (this is not always possible,
but is recommended).
When should I schedule the install and sanding of
the wood floors? (Back to Top)
If your home is undergoing construction or remodeling, the
best time for installation of the floors is usually right before the kitchen cabinets
are installed. This allows us to lay under all the cabinets. Sanding is best done
near the end of the construction process. Carpet and baseboard installations are
usually done after the final coat on your floor.
Is sanding dusty? (Back to Top)
Yes, sanding is dusty. We do our best to control the dust,
but it will get into any open areas. We can provide simple tarping (ie. normal doorways,
etc), but we highly recommend using
Tarp-Rite Dust Containment (303.657.0038), a professional tarping company.
They will guarantee their work and do an excellent job!
Can you install a wood floor over concrete or radiant
heat? (Back to Top)
Yes. This process is a bit more complicate than laying floor
over a normal sub-floor, but can be done. One option is to use pre-finished flooring
which can be glued directly to a smooth, level concrete surface. We can also place
3/4" plywood over a concrete sub-floor and install a solid wood floor on top
of that. It is best to contact us before installing the radiant heat in the sub-floor.
We have a lot of experience installing over radiant heat and can advise you on how
to have the tubes layed out to provide a good sub-floor for a wood floor.
How do I prepare for the installation and/or sanding? (Back to Top)
Everything should be moved off the floor where we will be
working. It is possible for small items/pictures to move or fall due to the vibrations
of our machines. High-tech equipment should be covered or removed from the area
to avoid getting dust inside. Plants and animals (including fish) should be removed
from the house during the sanding/coating process to avoid the fumes from the finish
used to coat the floor. You should make plans to be out of the house during the
2 days of coating.
How long before we can return to the house after coating? (Back to Top)
No one should enter the home or open any doors or windows
for at least 10 hours after the final coat is applied. The next morning is usually
the best time to enter (no shoes for 7 days) and open doors and windows to air out
any remaining fumes. Please be gentle on the floor for the first several weeks.
You will know when the floor is fully cured when it becomes 'slippery' in socks.
Polyurethane finishes may take a little longer to dry. If you will still have some
construction traffic, use Red Rosin paper to protect your new floors (do not use
tape on floor).
When can we place furniture on our new floor? (Back to Top)
We recommend waiting at least 2 days to place furniture on
the floor. Waiting a week would be best, but most people cannot wait that long.
We highly recommend felt glides for the bottom of all furniture to avoid scratching
the floor. The glides can be purchased from us or from any hardware/furniture store.
Rugs should not be placed on the floor for 30 days.
Whay is expansion and contraction? (Back to Top)
Expansion and contraction is a normal result in a natural wood material. This tends to happen to hardwood floors during the changes of the seasons and extreme changes in humidity levels. During the winter months, the heat in the home tends to dry out the air and the humidity levels drop. The resulting loss of moisture in the floor shrinks each board. The resulting gaps in the floor tend to be along the length of the boards. In the summer, the wood floor tends to soak up the natural humidity and the boards expand.
There are several tips that will help reduce or prevent gaps in a hardwood floor. All hardwood flooring should be kiln-dried at the mill, which removes the moisture from the wood, allowing it to be ready for use in homes. The flooring should be delivered to the home at least a week before installation to allow acclimation to the specific area. A humidifier / dehumidifier should be considered for use in the home. Large changes in relative humidity levels in the home will affect any floor and any wood, no matter how carefully maintained.
How should I clean my new floor? (Back to Top)
Do not clean the new floor with anything for the first two weeks. NEVER use any type of wax, Murphy's Oil Soap, Pledge, Endust or any other chemicals on the new floor. Only use cleaning products that are specifically made for Hardwood floors. Our floors can be re-coated in the future when the finish begins to wear out. Re-coating, instead of re-sanding, can save you money, time and cleaning. Waxes or chemicals will prevent another coat from bonding to the existing floor. Once one of these cleaning materials is used, we will not be able to guarantee a recoat. Please inform any cleaning personnel.
The soft bristle attachment on a vacuum is the best way to remove dirt and grit from a hardwood floor. Daily sweeping will push dirt across the floor, causing scratches over time. Damp mopping is a good way to keep the shine on your hardwood floor. You should add a small amount of white vinegar to the water for better cleaning (approx. 1/2 cup per gallon). A mild liquid soap can be used occasionally on trouble spots. Excess water on the hardwood should be wiped up quickly to prevent water damage. A cleaner that is made specifically for Hardwood Floors and a separate mop for the hardwood floor is the best way to prevent contamination from other surfaces. BonaX and Glitsa are two well known brands. Please feel free to ask us any questions about cleaning products or techniques.
What is water damage? / Why has my floor cupped? (Back to Top)
Water and wood do not mix. When water and wood combine, the
wood absorbs the water and expands. This leads to cupping.
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