Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Floor Care & Accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions, we have answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
01.
What are some differences between engineered and solid wood floors?
Simply put, engineered wood floors will behave a little differently than solid, they tend to be easier to install and are usually more cost-effective than solid hardwood. Although once we delve deeper we see that, due to their multiple-ply construction, engineered hardwood floors have been found to be more suitable in high-moisture areas or in areas where frequent temperature changes are common. These could be areas which are not environmentally controlled, such as below-grade installations or over radiant heating systems.
Made of genuine wood, engineered wood flooring gives your home an updated look and feel while still offering more stability than solid hardwood. Of course, while no traditional wood flooring can tolerate water laying on it, when installed correctly, the increased moisture levels over concrete aren’t a problem for engineered wood floors. Although it is never recommended to install solid hardwood floors below grade, in basements or wine cellars as it can warp and buckle easily when introduced to elevated humidity, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
02.
Oil vs Lacquer: What are the differences? Which is better?
Lacquer is a bit like a modern-day varnish, it sits on the top of the wood and doesn’t sink, unlike oil which tends to sink into the wood. The protection offered by a lacquered wood finish is arguably the toughest of all and it’s really intended for areas where you expect high to heavy foot traffic. With that said, because lacquer sits on top of the wood, when it is worn away with wear and tear the bare wood is left exposed and susceptible to damage. Although, one of the best things about lacquer finished wood flooring is that spills, if wiped up reasonably quickly, won’t seep into the body of your floor.
The main downside when you choose a lacquer is that it can scuff and scratch more easily than an oiled finish, so it’s doubly important to invest in really great doormats and sweep or vacuum regularly. Refinishing should be done every 7-10 years or earlier if needed.
Oil is the modern-day equivalent to the old fashioned wax option, providing both surface protection as well as deep penetrating protection. Although oiled wood floors may require slightly more maintenance on an ongoing basis when compared to lacquered wood floors, it tends to need fewer major interventions because the protection goes deeper than just the surface.
Unlike the lacquered finish, when the top layer of oil finish gets worn away, there is still a level of protection underneath. Of course, if you protect it with good doormats, and sweep or vacuum it regularly while occasionally light mopping, it’ll stand the test of time nicely. Reconditioning should be done every 6-12 months depending on foot traffic.
03.
How often can engineered wood floors be refinished?
This will be dependent on two factors; The first being the wear layer of your engineered floors and the second is your refinisher, 0.75 to 1 mm of material can be expected to be lost each time the floors are refinished. This means that a floor with a 4 mm top layer can be refinished 2-3 times if done properly. Since wire brushed and hand scraped floors can lose some of their texture throughout this process, it is important to go over what kind of changes to your floor you can expect with your contractor/refinisher prior to starting.
04.
Do these floors need time to acclimate?
Some experts will argue that, due to its plywood core, engineered hardwood does not need to acclimate. Despite this also being one of the advantages of using engineered versus solid wood as a flooring solution, it is still best to allow the material to adjust to the relative humidity in the home. The simplest way to do this is by cutting the edge of each box and allowing air to flow through for 3-5 days. It is recommended to use a moisture reader within your home to determine how long you may need to acclimate your wood, higher levels of moisture will need more time to acclimate.
05.
Can these floors be used over radiant heat?
Engineered hardwood floors are the ideal wood floors to be used when installing over radiant heat. Unlike solid hardwood, which can swell or warp due to the elevation of moisture because of the elevation in moisture or change in temperature, engineered flooring and its multi-ply construction can provide more stability thereby better resisting movement from environmental fluctuations. Engineered hardwood can be floated, which means the boards are glued at the seams and not nailed/glued down to the subfloor, this will leave plenty of room for the thin tubes to lie easily beneath the floor.
We want to make sure that you receive exactly what you need for your project.
06.
Can these floors be used in bathrooms and/or kitchens?
The short answer is yes. Despite moisture having always been the sworn enemy of wood, given the proper care, hardwood floors in the kitchen and bathroom can be a beautiful addition to your home. Although engineered wood flooring can be installed in bathrooms, we do not recommend installing them in bathrooms that contain bathtub or showers due to increased moisture. When choosing a floor, being properly informed will make this decision easier as well as help you prolong the life of your new wood floors.
UV lacquer is a very hard-wearing and durable finish, found to be more than sufficient for any residential interior. However, when enough damage accumulates over time, sections of the floor (planks or entire sections) might need to be replaced. In the kitchen, it’s most commonly the areas in front of the sink, the stove, and especially the fridge that are prone to damages from drops or spills. To protect your floor, use small mats or rugs in those areas.
Oil Finished floors are not as resilient as lacquers, but have their own benefits – local area damages can be repaired easily. “Spot repairs” can be made using sanding paper, stain, and a refresher oil. Oil-finished hardwood floors are usually the best option for a kitchen where spills can be cleaned up quickly. Regardless of the type of surface finish, remember to wipe up spills immediately.Sweep, dust, or vacuum regularly. Occasionally wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Avoid oil-based sprays, waxes, polishes, and abrasive cleansers. WOCA hardwood floor products are recommended.
07.
Are certain colors available in different sizes?
Although some of our products are similar in shade and color tones, each color is exclusive. Even though our sizes vary for each color, we do our best to have available stock of each size for our customers while some of our popular colors may offer additional sizes. If you find a certain color without an available size you like, feel free to contact us and we would be happy to discuss a custom order with you. Our design professionals are always available to consult with should you like a recommendation on which flooring material could be the best fit for your design and overall aesthetic.
08.
Are there any discounts available?
Here, at ADM Flooring, we pride ourselves on manufacturing and distributing our products which allows us to give our customers the best possible prices. Although, even with these incredible prices, we still have some exciting discounts: Free shipping on orders of 20 or more boxes of flooring, $0.30 OFF each Square foot of flooring when picking up locally, and California Residents get 5% off flooring.
Discounts are automatically added when checking out so no need to add a special discount code. Discounts are 1 per order. The greater discount will take precedence. For more information and full details of our discounts, click here.
09.
Are custom order available?
Yes, custom orders are available! For more information please contact our flooring experts who would be happy to assist you. We are open from 8am-4pm PT, Monday – Friday. You can reach us at 888.729.6781 or click here to send us a message directly.
10.
Do you install?
We unfortunately do not do install. Although ADM Flooring is committed to assisting you in every way possible, our flooring experts would be happy to answer any of your questions and even give recommendations when possible. You can reach us at 888.729.6781 or click here to send us a message directly.
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11.
How do I maintain my floors?
Like any flooring, hardwood floors need to be properly cared for and maintained in order keep their beautiful and natural look. It is always recommended to thoroughly read about the exact cleaning instructions for your type of flooring.
Visit our care and maintenance page for our in-depth guide to caring for your hardwood flooring. As always, feel free to contact us by phone or email if you have any questions and we will be happy to help. Click here to visit our care and maintenance page.
12.
Do I need to purchase extra flooring to account for “waste”? If so, how much?
What is waste in regards to flooring? Well, it’s pretty simple actually. Waste, in regards to flooring, is the cut or otherwise discarded parts of the flooring that can’t or won’t be put in the final flooring installation. The reasons for needed waste can vary but overall it is extremely normal, and even recommended, to account for waste when creating an order for hardwood flooring.
Some of the reasons we account for waste can be the installers experience, installation method, or even undesirable knots or grain pattern in the material. We recommend ordering 7 – 12% extra flooring material whenever purchasing your order to cover the waste factor. For more information or help with account for “waste” feel free to contact us at 888.729.6781 or Click Here to message us directly!