Frequently Asked Questions

Solid Hardwood Site Finish, Prefinish, & Some Engineered

What Causes Gaps Between Boards?
An opening, or gap, between boards is the most common cause of complaints on wood floors. Home interiors become dry during the heating season. As a result, wood floors respond by drying out and shrinking slightly. Properly made and properly installed wood floors should be expected to have "hairline cracks" between boards in the dry months. Normal gaps should close during non-heating months, and should not be wider than the thickness of a dime.

Can Gaps Between Boards Be Repaired?
Removal and replacement of a wood floor to alleviate gaps is usually unnecessary and self-defeating.

Floors with abnormal gaps can be repaired by a professional so that the gaps very nearly disappear. If the floor has a surface finish (i.e. polyurethane), matching filler should be troweled into all cracks. When dry, the floor can be screened and a new coat of polyurethane applied.

Why Do the Sides of the Boards Raise?
"Cupping" and "crowning" are natural reactions to moisture and should not be a concern if they occur only to a minor extent. More severe cases, however, indicate a serious moisture problem.

Cupping, when the edges of a board are higher than the center, is usually caused by humidity or excess moisture. The moisture causes the wood to swell, crushing the boards together and deforming the edges. In order to repair the floor, the cause of moisture must be identified. Once the cause of the moisture is controlled, cupping usually can be reversed. The floor may naturally dry out and improve over time. Fans may be necessary to accellerate the drying process. Once stabilized, the floor can be re-evaluated. One can choose to do nothing at all, to recoat the floor with finish, or to sand and refinish the floor.

Crowning is the opposite of cupping. The middle of the board is higher than the edges of the board. This result from excess moisture. More often, it occurs when a floor has been sanded too soon after it has cupped.

How Do I Properly Acclimate the Flooring?
Our solid hardwood flooring is kiln-dried to 6% moisture or less. The time of the year, local climate and job site conditions are all factors of moisture. Wood flooring must be properly acclimated before installation. This is accomplished by allowing the wood to "breathe" the air in the environment where it will be installed. Heat and humidity should be at or near occupancy levels. Both air conditioning and heating systems should be operational depending on the season where the material is being stored. The wood should be arranged to allow air to circulate through the stack by placing small square stacking sticks between layers. One or two weeks, depending on the job site location, is usually sufficient for acclimation.

Why Finish My Floor?
The proper finish enhances both grain and color and protects the wood. There are many types of floors and finishes, no one product can be recommended for all situations. Some of the recommended finish products are oil-modified urethane, moisture-cured urethane, and water-based urethane. They are generally available in high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin and matte.

How Do I Care For My New Floor?
It is recommended that preventive maintenance, such as area rugs and floor protector pads, be taken. A routine use of proper hardwood floor cleaner is also beneficial. A damp mop, only damp to the touch, can be used when necessary on floors which have non-waxed polyurethane or a similar surface finish. Wax-coated finishes should never be cleaned or maintained with water, not even a damp mop. Do not use dust cleaners, ammonia or wet mops and never wax a urethane finish. Immediately remove tracked dirt and grit. High heels can dent and scratch floors. And, remember to vacuum regularly.


Please keep in mind that this information is generally applicable to most hardwood flooring products. Because there are many wood flooring types, installation practices, finishing processes, and new technologies, this information should be considered as a guideline only and Creative Hardwood Floors, LLC. assumes no responsibility or liability. Always read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and installer. Thank you and we hope you enjoy your new floors.

Note: Some information provided by The National Wood Flooring Association.

Please call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment to go over your next project.

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