Picking a floor
Powder Rooms and Kitchens can have hardwood installed, however be aware they are high traffic areas and they are susceptible to leaks and can be costly to repair if ever needed.
Basements due to moisture content below grade and in the cement foundation, we suggest engineered hardwood with proper underlay, or installing vinyl/laminate which is more resistant to factors in this environment.
Each manufacturer has their own floor grading and their own sheen levels for each floor. When picking a floor if you want a certain manufacturer or a certain type of look (i.e. Knots, worm holes, shiny, matte or hand scraped.) The grading on material will change price ranges and can alter the overall look of material. Our sales associates can answer all your questions on the grading for each manufacturer.
UV rays from Sunlight will affect your floor over time as the floor is a natural product. When thinking of your new floor and color, consider how it may be affected over time and how much of the area will be exposed to color degradation.
Do you want a pattern like Chevron or Herringbone? Some manufacturers produce the floor in these patterns. They are a higher cost to produce but the result will look fantastic!
When Selecting or Picking up a floor it is important to know how to install it. Some floors require nail and glue, some just nail down, some glue only, or it can even be a floating floor. Our estimator and sales staff can let you know the specs for each floor you are interested in. All installing information can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
Installing the Floor
It’s up to you to let us know in what direction you would like to have the floor installed. We suggest laying the floor in the opposite direction of the joist usually. However, if you have a patterned floor this is something to discuss with installers and at the time of quotation.
Knowing Darmaga’s installers are all insured, and all installers have WSIB safety as well is peace of mind. You may renovate once or twice in a lifetime so take the time to find a reliable contractor.
Ensure the area is clear of furniture/appliances and if you have renovations occurring other trades are not scheduled on the same days or areas we are installing in.
Please be aware that any delays and extra costs involved are the responsibility of the client, and should always be considered when making a decision about hardwood floors. Minor leveling can be done at the time of installation and priced on an hourly basis plus costs of material. Our estimator cannot evaluate the level or general condition of the subfloor / concrete if it is covered by carpeting or furniture. There may be an additional charge if any extra work is required to correct hidden subfloor / concrete problems.
You must expect and accept the noise created by the installation process; unless arrangements are made in advance, the installers must do all their cutting in the general area of the installation.
Children & pets are intrinsically fascinated by the activity surrounding the installation process; and must be kept away from the workspace.
Repainting of the baseboards and ¼-round can be expected after our work is complete. One of the factors that can adversely affect the installation of any floor is an irregular surface. It must be level to within 3/16th of an inch over a 10-foot span. If the deviation is greater than this, the hardwood will have too great a deflection when walking on it. Gapping and general failure of the floor could also occur and is completely beyond our control. Nor will the manufacturer warrantee their product on a subfloor that does not fall within these parameters.
After Care
We have a One-Year Warranty on our installation and any defect in material. Due to materials being a natural product sometimes boards will crack, or a nail hole may have been missed or even a gap in the material can occur for a few different reasons. But we stand by our installations and will attend your home to inspect and let you know the method of repair required.
Most cleaning is performed by regular vacuuming with a soft bristle head attachment, or by sweeping/dusting to remove dust & particles that could abrade the floor. New “statically charged” wipers are very easy to use & economic for dusting areas of any size. The next step (if necessary) is to use liquid cleaners to remove fine dust, films, dried liquids, etc. It may not be necessary to clean the entire floor every time you vacuum – “spot cleaning” may only be necessary. The type of cleaner you use is very important, however. You should ONLY use the manufacturer’s approved cleaners available @ Darmaga Hardwood (which are affordable & are always in stock). Unfortunately, most “box stores” do not carry the appropriate materials, so please feel free to contact us or your builder if you have any questions. By not using the right cleaners, damage to the appearance and durability may occur, resulting in a shorter lifespan.
Humidity control is probably the most over-looked maintenance procedure by homeowners that usually involves unneeded service complaints &/or calls. ALL woods expand and contract to vary degrees due to humidity or direct exposure to liquids. ALL homes are different in seasonal humidity changes. Proper relative humidity levels for your floors are between 35%-55% depending on manufacture- this also happens to be most the most comfortable for you and I. Low levels of humidity can cause shrinkage. This will be noticeable as separation between boards, & may be in specific areas (most commonly over heating ducts or around vents) or evenly throughout the floor. High levels of humidity will result in the wood expanding and possibly cause buckling in specific areas, or again, throughout the floor. Given enough time and too much humidity, the boards will actually be compressed along the edge and will show gaps between the boards when the moisture content of the floor returns to normal levels.
ALL woods are susceptible to scratching or denting. Some species of wood are more dent resistant than others, & preventing this is entirely up to you. Some preventative recommendations are as follows: 1) High heels will easily dent any hardwood floor due to their small size and the pressure displaced at the “tips” of the heels. Use your discretion – we have seen floors damaged heavily from large formal parties! 2) Use “floor protectors” on as much furniture as possible (within reason) especially chairs. Even those pieces that you think may not be moved – why take the chance? These will help you prevent scratches/gouges if the items are moved or dragged. Remember: these, like the cleaners, are very affordable, so check often on pieces that are moved constantly (like eating-area chairs) & replace before they wear through. Heavy-duty Teflon protectors are available for larger, heavier pieces/appliances as well. 3) If moving large pieces of furniture or appliances that may already have floor protectors, try to place something underneath to avoid scratches. A few minutes of preparation can avoid very costly repairs! 4) Doormats are a must if you have hardwood at entries to the home. This will help reduce moisture, dirt, & salt in the winter from being tracked into the home. Also, mats are a very good idea in front of the sink or refrigerator if you have hardwood in the kitchen. This will help reduce damage from liquids/high traffic as well
