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Effects of humidity
Our Team is dedicated to giving you the best experience possible. To help with that we have set some expectations below to help you have the best possible installation of your products. Please ask us questions this will help with the long term care and effectiveness of your investment. Of course, we do have additional care and maintenance recommendations.
All Furnishings must be moved unless we have been contracted to move them. This includes electronics, all items on shelves, on top of furniture and in cabinets. This includes end tables and light chairs
Installation can be completed in as little as one day or it may take several days depending on the size of your job. You can walk on your floors during this process but the less traffic the more efficiently it can be completed.
All new flooring will have an odor. Neither is toxic but can be considered unpleasant. If you are sensitive, we recommend you do not stay in the home during the installation process.
Equipment will be used and can create considerable noise that cannot be avoided.
All flooring projects create dust. We can minimize this with a dust containment barrier at a minimal charge
All Furnishings must be moved unless we have been contracted to move them. This includes electronics, all items on shelves, on top of furniture and in cabinets. This includes end tables and light chairs
Installation can be completed in as little as one day or it may take several days depending on the size of your job. You can walk on your floors during this process but the less traffic the more efficiently it can be completed.
All new flooring will have an odor. Neither is toxic but can be considered unpleasant. If you are sensitive, we recommend you do not stay in the home during the installation process.
Equipment will be used and can create considerable noise that cannot be avoided.
All flooring projects create dust. We can minimize this with a dust containment barrier at a minimal charge
When We Leave
We will do our best to leave your environment clean and no debris or construction material will be left behind. We do clean the product when done. However, as is the case with any flooring there will be continual cleanup and maintenance when we leave. Look to your specific product below to see what you need to know by flooring type. Also, read our Care and Maintenance page to see long-term maintenance tips based on the flooring you are getting installed.
Hardwood
Additional Considerations to Install
Wood must acclimate inside the home for at least 1 week prior to install
Site-Finished floors are sanded after installation. A stain (if desired) and a coat of finish are applied. NO FOOT TRAFFIC ON THE FLOOR DURING THE STAIN & FINISH PROCESS, INCLUDING PETS
The second coat of finish is applied. Once this coat is dry the floors can be walked on
Dry time is affected by the external environment and can range from approximately 5 hours with the water-based finish to upwards of 12 or more for polyurethane finish.
Behavior of wood
Wood will continually expand and contract with changes in humidity. Moisture absorption causes wood to expand and moisture loss causes wood to shrink. In Colorado, during winter, the humidity drops along with the temperature. Furnaces pull additional moisture from the wood. This causes shrinking and cracking, a humidifier attached to the heating system at 35-45% is recommended
During the summer moisture is replaced back in the air and the wood will absorb it. This will cause the wood to expand to its original size.
Filling your wood floor during the winter season, to fill expanding gaps that are a result in the changes in humidity, is not recommended. When the wood expands in summer it could cause boards to warp or force out excess fill. Shrinkage is not a flaw or related to installation. The material is just reacting naturally to changes in moisture levels.
Wood must acclimate inside the home for at least 1 week prior to install
Site-Finished floors are sanded after installation. A stain (if desired) and a coat of finish are applied. NO FOOT TRAFFIC ON THE FLOOR DURING THE STAIN & FINISH PROCESS, INCLUDING PETS
The second coat of finish is applied. Once this coat is dry the floors can be walked on
Dry time is affected by the external environment and can range from approximately 5 hours with the water-based finish to upwards of 12 or more for polyurethane finish.
Behavior of wood
Wood will continually expand and contract with changes in humidity. Moisture absorption causes wood to expand and moisture loss causes wood to shrink. In Colorado, during winter, the humidity drops along with the temperature. Furnaces pull additional moisture from the wood. This causes shrinking and cracking, a humidifier attached to the heating system at 35-45% is recommended
During the summer moisture is replaced back in the air and the wood will absorb it. This will cause the wood to expand to its original size.
Filling your wood floor during the winter season, to fill expanding gaps that are a result in the changes in humidity, is not recommended. When the wood expands in summer it could cause boards to warp or force out excess fill. Shrinkage is not a flaw or related to installation. The material is just reacting naturally to changes in moisture levels.
Acclimation
Acclimating wood flooring before the installation process allows the wood to adjust to the moisture content of the normal living conditions of a particular location. The wood stabilizes in the normal environment it will be installed in. This will minimize the amount of shrinking and expanding with the changing external environment.
The typical time to acclimate wood is 7-10 days. Exotic species may require 2 weeks or more.
Generally, the floor space required is a 3′ by 8′ area, roughly the size of a sofa. Wood Flooring should be acclimated in the same area as installation, inside the home.
Cracks and separation occur in hardwood flooring due to the changes in humidity from winter to summer. This does not mean there is an installation issue. Industry standards allow the cracks in the drier months to measure up to the width of a dime. Lighter stained woods tend to show the cracks more than the darker wood. To help with cracks, it is recommended to add moisture to the air when it is dry.
There are several ways to do this:
Acclimating wood flooring before the installation process allows the wood to adjust to the moisture content of the normal living conditions of a particular location. The wood stabilizes in the normal environment it will be installed in. This will minimize the amount of shrinking and expanding with the changing external environment.
The typical time to acclimate wood is 7-10 days. Exotic species may require 2 weeks or more.
Generally, the floor space required is a 3′ by 8′ area, roughly the size of a sofa. Wood Flooring should be acclimated in the same area as installation, inside the home.
Cracks and separation occur in hardwood flooring due to the changes in humidity from winter to summer. This does not mean there is an installation issue. Industry standards allow the cracks in the drier months to measure up to the width of a dime. Lighter stained woods tend to show the cracks more than the darker wood. To help with cracks, it is recommended to add moisture to the air when it is dry.
There are several ways to do this:
- Open the dishwasher after the rinse cycle
- Add a humidifier to your heater
- Hang your clothes to dry by the heater
