Whether you are new to owning hardwood floors or a seasoned veteran, questions arise that need answering. Hardwood floors have a varying of color choices, materials, and even ways to lay it. Understanding that, along with daily maintenance and additional care is most important when choosing your flooring.

Mike’s Custom Flooring would like to answer the frequently asked questions concerning hardwood floors.

If you don’t see your question below, feel welcome to call our office where we can answer the hardwood flooring questions burning in your mind.
Q: If we have indoor pets, like dogs or cats, is it optimal to install hardwood floors?
A: Absolutely! Many homeowners who have indoor pets install hardwood floors in their homes. But do note, your pet’s claws can potentially scratch the finish of your wood flooring, and the pet damage to the flooring is not normally covered in your warranty. Just be sure not to neglect their claws and clean up any messes immediately. Avoid pouring the pet’s food or water bowl directly on the wood flooring.
Q: What is the most durable hardwood floor?
A: Generally hardwood floors are treated with up to 10 coats of an aluminum oxide finish. Doing so improves the durability of the floor, but it is the hardness of the floor that will give the best indication of durability.
Q: Is it safe to use hardwood flooring in my kitchen?
A: Hardwood floors in kitchens look stunning. Just use caution when installing hardwood flooring in a kitchen, as the kitchen is prone to food and liquid spills which can raise the wood’s grain or permanently stain or damage a hardwood floor’s finish. Always wipe up spills immediately with a dry, clean cloth.
Q: How much better is solid wood flooring compared to engineered wood floor?
A: These days engineered woods have more options. The thicker and more durable it is, along with proper maintenance, can make your floors last for years, and can be refinished 1-2 times before replacement is necessary. Modern technology and factory applied, UV-cured urethane finishes with melamine that are used today by hardwood flooring manufacturers makes a really tough, durable finish and is available on both engineered and solid wood floors. Keep in mind that engineered wood floors are also much more stable than solid hardwood flooring so they can be used in many situations where solid wood is not recommended.
Q: If a concrete slab is exposed, Can I install hardwood flooring?
A: Engineered wood floors can be glued down or floated over a dry, clean, fully-cured concrete slab that is on or below grade. Non-wood flooring option would be a better choice if moisture or humidity is very high at times of the year. There are installation methods used by some hardwood installers to install a 3/4″ solid wood floor over a concrete slab, which includes a vapor barrier and building up a wood subfloor on top of the concrete slab. This is not recommended by most hardwood manufacturers, and it also adds an inflated cost to the project. Installing an engineered wood floor over a concrete slab would be preferable.
Q: If I have an existing flooring, is it ok to install a hardwood flooring over?
A: Engineered wood floor can be floated or glued down over the top of an existing floor in some cases. The existing flooring has to be fully adhered to the sub-floor and be compressed enough so there is no bounce. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s warranty to see if installing over an existing floor covering is covered under the warranty, as well as consulting the manufacturer’s recommended installation procedures.
Q: Is it safe to use a paste wax on my hardwood flooring?
A: Paste wax should not be applied as modern wood floors do not require a paste wax to the finish. It is common that hardwood floors these days have some type of urethane finish if a paste wax is applied to the finish, it can cause the floors to be sticky and cloud up.

Hardwood Flooring Installation, Repair & Refinishing in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Fairfax County VA

Mike’s Custom Flooring has been providing quality hardwood floor services since 1997. Contact us to learn more about what options are available to you today!