Planning and Installing Instructions

This guide is designed to help the customer and installer understand the natural qualities of solid wood flooring.  Please be sure to follow all instructions for preparation, installation and care of your wood floor. 

Milling specifications- All planks are milled to an industry standard ¾" thickness, with an offset tongue and groove for a deep wear surface, a square top edge, an under-cut bottom shoulder and a relieved bottom face, unless otherwise specified. This allows a tight face joint and easy installation, while permitting the wood to breathe.  Many of our woods are available end-matched, providing a tight tongue and groove interlock between the ends of boards.

Grading- Our wood is graded by hand, each board selected for its natural features and color.  We are more than happy to provide you with samples of our graded flooring prior to purchase.  Every effort will be made to accurately display the range of natural features (color, grain, knots…) inherent in each grade, however real wood is an organic material and will vary somewhat from tree to tree and board to board.  We cannot guarantee that the wood you order will EXACTLY match your samples.  Best results are had when the installer and client go through the flooring boards on site, prior to installation to design and lay out the wood to your particular tastes.   

Installation trim- Your installer will incur some cutting waste in the installation process.  Compute installation trim at 10% above the actual covered square footage of the space for normally shaped rooms.  Installation in rooms with numerous bays, fireplaces, closets and recesses may generate greater trim loss.  Diagonal, herringbone and other patterns may require more material as well.  Please consult with your professional installer. 

Packaging and shipping- We can ship anywhere in North America using common carriers.  Each order is bundled to an easy carrying weight and professionally packed and banded to help assure safe arrival. 

Equalizing temperature and humidity before installation- We carefully kiln dry our hardwood lumber to an average 6-9% moisture content prior to milling in order to stabilize boards and to minimize shrinkage.  ALL WOOD FLOORING MUST BE ALLOWED TO ACCLIMATE TO THE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY OF THE JOB SITE PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.  We recommend that wood flooring be delivered after the wet trades (cement, drywall, plaster, painting…) are complete.  We recommend that the building's air handling systems be in operation so that heat and humidity levels are at occupancy levels at least one week prior to the flooring's arrival to assure that the site is dry.  The flooring should then be stacked in the area it is to be installed, such that adequate air flow may circulate around all sides of the bundles, allowing the wood to breathe. Depending on geographic location, time of year and job site factors, one to three weeks acclimation time should be sufficient. 

Finishing- All woods age naturally.  The familiar colors of older floors are due largely to exposure to sunlight over time.  Some woods, including Cherry, Madrone, Douglas Fir and Pine will darken somewhat as they age.  Try to accommodate for this as you consider fill colors, stains and finishes.  We suggest moving area rugs regularly in the first weeks after installation to allow sunlight even exposure to the wood. We always recommend the use of environmentally responsible finishes with our floors.  Please call if you would like more information on available products.  Follow all manufacturer application and care instructions when applying your finish and maintaining your floor in the future.

Returns- For 30 days after your product arrives and before installation, we will replace or exchange all or part of your order for any reason if you are not satisfied. PLEASE INSPECT YOUR SHIPMENT UPON ARRIVAL. Materials to be replaced or exchanged must be returned by you and inspected by us prior to additional shipments.  Your return shipping charges will be reimbursed for any materials found to be defective.  Materials you have altered cannot be returned.  Defective goods will be replaced or refunded, non-defective goods may be subject to a 25% re-stocking fee and must be returned freight pre-paid, in original condition and packaging. 

Maintenance and Upkeep of your floor
Please note that seasonal movement in a solid wood floor is to be expected, as wood is a product of nature and will expand and contract with changes in humidity and temperature.  Slight gaps will usually appear between boards during the winter months and tighten in the summer.  Minimize heat and humidity fluctuations with the use of a timer thermostat and humidifier/de-humidifier,  especially if the house is left un-occupied for long periods of time (ie. extended vacations).  Cleaning of your floors is best done with a dust mop (NO WATER).

Absolute guarantee- We warranty our products against all defects in materials and workmanship.  This warranty is void if our recommendations and standard industry practices are not observed during preparation, installation or maintenance.  It may also be voided if the flooring is installed by a non-professional.