FAQ
Q. Why Choose Hardwood Flooring Versus Other Types Of Floor Coverings?
A. A real solid hardwood floor will last the life of the home and can be refinished multiple times as needed. Many other types of floor coverings will need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Therefore, when considering the life cycle cost of different types of flooring, solid hardwood actually ends up being less expensive in most cases. If bought with a new home, for example, hardwood flooring will still be in service at the end of a 30 year mortgage, while most other flooring will have been replaced approximately 5 times. According to an article by realtor.com, hardwood flooring gives a 70-80% return of investment and can help boost the sales price of a home by 2.5%. Just look at the real estate ads; if a home has hardwood flooring, it is noted in the listing because realtors know hardwood floors are in demand and will help sell the home. Increased concerns about health have also become a factor in many choosing hardwood flooring. The medical community is on record in favor of hard surface flooring, since carpet is the primary culprit in harboring dust and dust mites in home or office. Hardwood is clearly the trend in flooring design with many innovative products now available from which to choose.
Q. What’s The Difference Between Oil Base And Water Base Finish?
A. There are several differences: cure time, aesthetic, and non-toxicity of products. Oil based finishes have longer curing time (7 days or longer) and give a more traditional look that ambers with age. Generations Hardwood Flooring recommends commercial grade water based finishes. They are more durable and environmentally friendly. The water based finishes we use are non-toxic, have faster cure times, and do not amber. With Bona Traffic HD water based finish you can walk on the finished floors in as little as 4 hours; furniture and rugs can be moved back in 3 days. Bona Traffic HD is GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Q. Should I Choose Prefinished Or Site Finished Hardwood Flooring?
A. Prefinished hardwood does not require sanding or staining once installed. However, prefinished floors often have limited or no refinishing capabilities. They are available in a wide variety of species, widths and colors. A slightly eased or beveled edge between the boards allows the floor to be installed over imperfect sub flooring. One drawback to prefinished hardwood is the beveled edge allows for spaces where dust and debris to settle, in turn, floors appear dirty more frequently. Kitchens with prefinished grooves are especially challenging to keep clean. Additionally, some prefinished flooring has a minimal wear layer, making it a disposable floor.
Generations Hardwood Flooring, LLC prefers site finished hardwood flooring which offer unlimited creativity for color and sheen choices. Site finished flooring is sanded smooth so there are no beveled edges or small grooves between the board. The lack of grooves means there’s nothing to trap dust and debris. This style of traditional floor most people are used to and gives you the best natural look of a hardwood floor. If you are particular and want the smoothest floor with unlimited customization, site finish flooring is the answer.
Q. Why Let My New Floors Acclimate?
A. Wood floors are a natural product and therefore need to acclimate to their new environment. At the installation site, the new hardwood flooring is cross stacked for proper air circulation and acclimation. Moisture and humidity readings are taken with a Thermo-Hygrometer to ensure proper site conditions before the flooring is installed per the National Wood Flooring Association’s standards. The moisture and humidity readings determine the length of time that is needed for the new hardwood flooring to properly acclimate. Typically in our area you can expect roughly a week acclimation period prior to installation.
Q. Do I Need To Remove My Furniture?
A. We require furniture and rugs to be moved before we begin our work. We can refer a moving company to help with removal and replacement of furniture. If preferred, we are able to project manage the removal and replacement process with select moving companies at an additional charge.
Q. What About The Toilet And Kitchen Appliances?
A. A professional plumber/appliance mover is needed to remove toilets and kitchen appliances prior to work beginning and reinstall once work is completed. Before you invest in new hardwood floors, it’s a best practice to remove the toilet so that there are no leaks on your new floors. A lot of our competitors will offer to remove and replace the toilet themselves, however, we prefer to refer you to a trained, licensed plumber who can properly do the job. Having a toilet wax ring replaced periodically is a good practice. Failing to replace a toilet wax ring can cause leaks. We frequently find slow leaks from toilets while on job sites.
Q. When Can I Walk On My Floors Once They Are Done? How Long Until I Can Move My Furniture Back?
A. Onsite refinished water based floors can be walked on in as little as 4 hours after the final coating is applied. The floor can withstand light traffic in 24 hours and typically furniture can be replaced on the second day while rugs can be replaced on the third day.
Q. How Long Does It Take For The Work To Be Completed?
A. Each job is unique and will vary due to flooring type, process, and size. Work time frames are discussed at site visits. We provide our customers with a schedule of work and are usually able to accommodate move in deadlines. Many refinishing jobs are able to be completed in a week or less. Generally circumstances with water based coatings allow homeowners to stay in the home during the sanding and refinishing process.
q.How Much Dust Can I Expect When I Have My Floors Done?
Unlike competitors offering no dust containment systems, we offer two levels of vacuum systems. With our entry level vacuum system, we plastic up doorways and other openings. You can expect some dust.
Upgrading to our Bona Trailer Dust Containment System you will experience little clean up as dust is suctioned up to an outside dust containment system. Past customers have had bad experiences with dust and clean up when using our competitors but have raved about our Bona Trailer Dust Containment System. Homeowners love the minimal disturbance and clean up to the home environment.
Watch a video from Bona here to learn more about the dust containment systems : https://youtu.be/nJ9g4m_D7YM