Hardwood Flooring Asked Questions

There is no charge for hardwood flooring estimate.

Just send us an email or call the numbers on the website ( Inquiries are answered usually the same day!). Most estimates are determined after meeting with you and going over the project in detail.

We will come to the home or jobsite and determine what is needed to complete your project and to answer any question you might have. And give you a signed written estimate.

The cost is determined by the amount of flooring that is ether installed or refinished. The type of wood will also be a factor.

We do repairs to flooring (patching holes, heat returns no longer used, damage flooring from water or pet urine etc.)

This is determined from the amount of flooring installed from 1-2 rooms to entire homes and commercial locations.

In most cases you may stay in the home during the installation process.

You must be aware of the conditions of the area getting flooring. There can be no water present and check the level of moisture that will be present in the area of the flooring.

What is the type and condition of the subfloor (area in which the flooring is going to be installed over)

What is the amount of wear the area will be given. A bedroom or dinning room may get very little traffic and say a kitchen and hallway would get very high traffic wear.

Yes Hardwoods like oak and cherry are considered true hardwoods .Woods like pine fir are much softer woods.

Yes you can however most flooring that is sold at bargain and liquidation outlets are different from what a true wood flooring contractor would get you. Cheaper is not always better!

Some flooring is considered 2nds and 3rd grade wood flooring which will give you boards with imperfections and also the lengths are usually shorter and not milled properly which can give a sub par look for a finished project.

Hardwood flooring comes in many sizes. Traditional wood flooring is 2-1/4 but most flooring can also come in the following sizes 3 in 4 in 5 in 6in 7in going with very wide boards can sometime create problems as there is more wood to nail ratio.

This is not recommended unless you have a subfloor installed over the concrete 1st. You may do a floating prefinished wood laminate flooring which would sit on a layer of foam and floats over the concrete floor.

Prefinished wood flooring comes from the factor already sanded and has multiple coats of finish already apply and most manufactures give a extended warranty for the there products and finishes.

Unfinished wood flooring comes raw and is installed then sanded to a smooth surface then coats of finish is a apply over a course of a few days.

After the areas that are being sanded are cleaned out a crew will come and use large floor sanding machines to remove the old finish and the imperfection (Scratches, dents, dirt) and make the floor smooth. Then they will apply typically 3 coats of finish to the flooring to give it protection and a shine to the flooring.

We usually require the entire floor to be cleared of furniture and personal items. Working in phases may be possible depending on the setup, but it can extend the project’s timeline and increase costs. Here’s why:

• Timing: Sanding separate areas takes more time because each section requires individual sanding, cleaning, and finishing steps. This duplication of steps raises the overall project cost.
• Aesthetic Impact: Applying finish at different times can sometimes cause visible lines between sections, which may not look uniform.
• Safety: Large sanding equipment needs ample space to maneuver safely. Furniture or belongings in the area may interfere with the process or even risk damage.

What Most Clients Do: Clients generally store their furniture in another room, garage, or rented storage to clear the work area.

Furniture Moving: We don’t move furniture or personal belongings. Our team specializes in refinishing and installation, so we recommend hiring a moving service for this step if needed.

Normally this take 4 days from start to finish you will need to stay off the areas being done during this time period.

You may walk on the floors the next day after the job is complete. However the floor will take up to 2 weeks to cure completely. You will need to try and be carful not to drag or drop anything on the floors has this may damage the floor before it has a chance to cure completely. We recommend not putting heavy rugs or runners down for the 2 week period just after the hardwood flooring areas have been done.

It is Safe for you and pets to be in the same home as the work being done however. We recommend that you try and stay away from the actual rooms being the process.

There is a smell that comes from the finish as it is being applied and drying. When this is done there is no longer a smell present. When sanding any flooring there is always a small amount of dust made. We try and make sure we make as little as possible. And keep anything contained to the work area only. We do have dustless machine but all hardwood floor machines create some dust even if its just a little. Floor sanding and hardwood floor installation is considered construction. If a company say they create absolutely no dust they are not telling you the truth! while we all try and create the least amount this is not the same as having something done in a factory. This is a hands on process. We make sure that we protect any areas that may be connected to the sanding areas with plastic and blue sensitive masking tape to keep the work are clean!

New wood flooring that has been installed or sanded will give you years of enjoyment.,but like everything you need to take care of them. Hardwood flooring is hard but not indestructible. Keeping them clean and not getting them wet or dragging something heavy or sharp on them will help maintain there great look.

Many things have change over the years in the hardwood floor business. Machines are now better at keeping the dust to a minimize and many company use a dust containment system to help trap the dust that is created when sanding hardwood floors. This has made the floor sanding procedure much more affective then years ago . But there is always some dust. A good flooring company will mask off the work area to keep any air born dust contained to the work area and will also clean the areas as this helps for a great looking final product.
If the flooring company say there is no dust at all this is not true. Like all construction work there is a certain level of dust still created and saying that there is none, zero is just not true. We try and make a little dust as possible and keep the areas clean during the period that we are working on the site. We have to keep it clean in order to give you a great finished hardwood flooring results!

Most hardwood floors come in 3 different finishes Gloss – Simi Gloss – Satin
Gloss finish is the shiniest of all finish – under bright light condition this can have a large glare which some people do not like. also if the finished is scratched you will see the imperfection might easier then say a Simi or Satin finish.

Simi gloss finish is somewhat shinny but not like a glass finish this is the most popular finish used).

Satin finish is a dull finish which you may see in very old homes . This can some times give a dirty appearance like the floors are already worn.

Out of hundreds of floors we do every year Simi Gloss is the most popular finish we use.

Dry Time: You can walk on the floor about 2-3 hours after application. Furniture can be returned to its place after 72 hours, but keep in mind the finish is still vulnerable to scuffing until it’s fully cured. Avoid using rugs or mats during this period to prevent marking.

Cure Time: Water-based finishes reach approximately 80% cure after one day and fully cure in three days. Wait until fully cured before placing rugs or mats and avoid dragging furniture. During the first two weeks, use only a dry cloth for cleaning—no water or cleaners should be used yet.

Dry Time: Floors with an oil-based finish can be walked on after around 8 hours, and furniture can be replaced after 24 hours. However, the floor is still prone to scuffs until fully cured.

Cure Time: Oil-based finishes take about 14 days to fully cure. Until it’s fully cured, avoid placing rugs, mats, or heavy furniture on the floor. Use a dry cloth for cleaning during the first two weeks, and avoid using water or cleaning products.

Recommended Cleaning: Bona’s cleaning system (available at Home Depot or Menards) with a microfiber cloth and wood-safe spray cleaner is recommended for maintaining oil-based finishes.

We accept Venmo, Zelle, Cash or Check payments only.

For sanding and refinishing of hardwood floors we do not require a deposit. Payment in full after the job is complete and final coat of finish has been applied.

If we are installing new hardwood flooring, then a portion of the total payment will be required for the purchase of any and all hardwood flooring before delivery of the hardwood is made to the jobsite or home.

There will then be a 2nd installation payment after the flooring has been installed. Final payment after the flooring has been sanded and finished.

The total payment will be determined at the start of the project and agreed upon by both parties after signing a written agreement.

Your floor has been treated with three coats of Bona water- or oil-based finish, providing a durable, moisture-resistant surface.

Curing Process: The finish takes about 3-14 days to fully cure, depending on the type. During this period, avoid placing rugs, dragging furniture, or using any water or cleaning products. Stick to using a dry cloth for the first two weeks.

Maintenance Tips:

• Use Bona’s cleaning system (available at Home Depot or Menards) with a microfiber cloth and wood-safe spray for best results.
• Avoid vinyl or tile floor cleaners, which can dull and make the wood slippery.
• Place throw rugs near doorways to prevent dirt from scratching the floor. Move rugs occasionally to avoid uneven color fading.

Additional Tips:

• Don’t wet mop your wood floors. Wipe spills immediately with a slightly damp cloth.
• Attach felt or soft pads under furniture legs to avoid scratches.
• Avoid walking on the floor with cleats, sports shoes, or high heels, as they can cause dents.
• When moving heavy furniture, lift rather than drag to prevent scratches.
• Place a rug in front of the kitchen sink to protect wood floors in high-use areas.
• Avoid taping directly to the floor to prevent finish damage.
• Use a humidifier in winter to reduce gaps or cracks caused by dryness.