Preparing For Your Wood Floor Project

Nothing can change the feel of your home quite like a wood floor.  Once you’ve decided to install or refinish a wood floor, you may wonder what will happen next. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after the work takes place will help ensure a high-quality job.

Preparing for your install
Before work begins, remove all furnishings, electronics, draperies, paintings, and other items from the room. For new installations, the wood will need to acclimate in the home with heat on, for at least two weeks or even longer depending on the species.

During
If your floors are being sanded, finished or refinished, be prepared for some noise and disruption. Dust containment systems can help minimize debris, but no system is 100% effective.  JD HOSS will prep & plastic off zones for dust containment, but you should plan for a full construction clean once your project is complete. When the finish is applied, you will need to stay off your floors until it has dried. Dry times vary depending on the type of finish used.

After
After the finish has dried, put felt pads on the bottoms of any furniture to minimize scratches and dents. Avoid using area rugs for two weeks.  After that, place rugs at all entrances, avoiding those with rubber backs, which can discolor your floor. Avoid walking on your floors with cleats or high heels, as these will create dents in the floor.

Wood is a natural and organic product.  Keep in mind that no two floor boards will be identical. Variations in appearance are completely normal. As your floor ages, some color change can occur. This also is normal, but can be minimized by limiting exposure to direct sunlight, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Seasonal humidity change may cause the wood to expand and contract. Cracks are normal and will appear and disappear between floor boards during seasons of high and low humidity.

Finally, keep your wood floors looking their best by properly maintaining them. Maintain fluctuations in home relative humidity to 30 to 50 percent. Use a cleaning product recommended for your floors and use it regularly to keep them looking beautiful for years to come.

You can find additional resources at www.woodfloors.org.