|
How do I get a flooring estimate?
What flooring is appropriate for my house?
What are my choices in species, color, and hardness?
Reasons why you should choose real wood:
What is your most popular type of flooring?
Can I install over my current floor?
Can I install wood over concrete?
What geographical areas do you service?
What kind of warranty would I have on my new floor?
How long does it take to install a floor?
Do you take my old flooring away?
Will you move our furniture before and after installing our floors?
Will I need to hire additional craftsmen to complete the job?
Why would you choose pre-finished over unfinished hardwood flooring?
Why is pre-finished flooring micro-beveled?
What is engineered hardwood?
What advantage does engineered flooring have over solid hardwood flooring?
Are floating floors the same as engineered floors?
Does all flooring require wall base trims, and expansion joints?
Which type of wood is the hardest?
Why are there gaps in between the boards on my floor?
What type of care is required for my hardwood floor?
What are the names of DOMESTIC and IMPORTED wood flooring species?
How do I choose the right type of wood flooring?
Is it cost-effective for home builders and renovators to select wood flooring over less costly material?
Wood vs. Carpet
People have diverse tastes in interior design. Does wood flooring go well with most design styles?
There are so many species of wood. How should a person select one?
Why do most gymnasiums use wood flooring?
Is wood flooring durable enough for a kitchen, bathroom, or work space?
Does wood flooring provide good acoustics?
Do you carry “green” and sustainable flooring?
Are your floors LEED-Compliant or FSC Certified?
How do I get a flooring estimate?
Flooring estimates are free. Call our office number to schedule an
appointment with an area representative today.
TOP
What flooring is appropriate for my house?
First, you need our flooring estimator to come out and take a look at your property to evaluate what type of flooring will work in your home. There are a great variety of products, so we recommend you drop by our showroom and see a number of samples. If you can't come by the showroom ask us to bring samples when you get an estimate so you can have a better idea of what looks good in your home. It is imperative that you look at samples of our woods in the light and surroundings in which they will be installed.
TOP
What are my choices in species, color, and hardness?
We have many links to manufacturers on our hardwood page, which give you great details on their respective products. All the information is free - we just try to make it easier for you to find it. Our first priority is to help educate you to the choices available so you can make an informed decision.
TOP
Reasons why you should choose real wood:
• Natural, warm, authentic color.
• Simple, yet decorative for any room in the house.
• Rugged, yet charming.
• Durable, yet easy to care for.
• Beauty that is hard to tire of.
• Lifetime guarantee.
• Adds real value to a home.
• Anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic
TOP
What is your most popular type of flooring?
Oak, Cherry, Hickory, and Maple dominate domestic flooring installed in the U.S. Exotic floors such as Brazilian Cherry, Santos Mahogany, Tiete Chestnut, Bamboo and Amendoim are becoming very popular, as well. In Siskiyou County, where we do most of our work, Hickory seems to be the most popular, especially wider planks with hand scraping and character.
TOP
Can I install over my current floor?
Possibly. In many cases we can install over vinyl, hardwood, plywood, and concrete if the floors are clean, level, and dry. Carpet always has to be torn out, as well as ceramic tile, in many cases.
TOP
Can I install wood over concrete?
Yes, you can glue engineered wood flooring directly to concrete on, above, or below grade. However, it is important to test the concrete for moisture before installing hardwood flooring, for below grade applications if moisture is present then a moisture barrier is required. Most installers will say that only engineered flooring can be glued directly to concrete on or above grade, but at Princeton Flooring we use a special system and adhesive. Any glue down floor on a concrete slab must be inspected by our estimator to make sure that it is possible to be done properly.
TOP
What geographical areas do you service?
Princeton Flooring has done custom jobs as far South as Orange County and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. But our primary area is Siskiyou and Shasta Counties, Fall River Mills, Redding, Dunsmuir, McCloud, Mt. Shasta, Yreka, and Scott Valley.
TOP
What kind of warranty would I have on my new floor?
The California State License Board mandates a 1-year warranty on floor installation. Pre-Finished flooring manufacturers have limited warranties from 5 to 25 years depending on the product you choose.
TOP
How long does it take to install a floor?
Our experienced crews are generally able to install around 200 square feet of pre-finished nail-down or glue-down flooring per day. Glue-less laminates would be around 300 sq ft per day. Installing over existing flooring is a possibility and is a time saver for us and a money-saver for you as long as it is within industry standards. All of these estimates depend on the condition of your house and most importantly your sub-floor.
TOP
Do you take my old flooring away?
Yes. There is an extra charge for removing and disposing of your old flooring. Charges vary depending on the amount of your old flooring. Charges also vary depending on the amount of time needed to demolish and the quantity of your old flooring.
TOP
Will you move our furniture before and after installing our floors?
We prefer to have the areas cleared before arrival but we do move furniture if needed. We ask that the homeowner sign a release of liability when we move furniture. We will not move any electronics and computers. A price for moving the furniture will be included in a separate line item on your written estimate.
TOP
Will I need to hire additional craftsmen to complete the job?
No. At Princeton Flooring we have the advantage of also being a General Contractor. We will install baseboards, cut doors, re-install kitchen appliances, even choose door casings, and install crown moldings.
TOP
Why would you choose pre-finished over unfinished hardwood flooring?
Unfinished flooring installed by a professional gives the most options regarding sheen and custom colors. Pre-finished flooring is convenient and the finish is five to seven times harder. There is less time involved in installation and much less mess. Changes in humidity will not crack the finish between two individual planks as they can move independently.
Pre-finished flooring has a great advantage over unfinished flooring. Both floors install exactly the same, however, once the pre-finished floor is installed you’re all done. The only thing you have left to do is move the furniture back into the room and enjoy. An unfinished floor requires sanding and then the application of urethane. This can take an extra couple of days labor with an incomparable amount of aggrevation. The family will have to move out of the house for up to a week, depending on the size of the newly installed floor. If there is dust in the air it will settle on the wet finish and give a bumpy, uneven texture. The pre-finished floors have five to seven coats of finish that have been baked on and cured in UV ovens with Aluminum Oxide suspended in the finish for hardness. Pre-finished floors also have an incredible finish warranty usually consisting of 10-25 years depending on the brand of flooring.
TOP
Why is Pre-Finished Flooring micro-beveled?
When a floor is sanded in your home minor differences in the subfloor and wood thicknesses are corrected. Our tiny microbevel is to insure stocking feet do not catch on the edges of the planks. It also serves to make the planks stand out from one another on wider width floors.
TOP
What is engineered hardwood?
Engineered hardwood flooring is flooring manufactured by using
hardwood with a cross-directional laminated construction (usually 3-7 layers), with a top layer of premium hardwood. The best suppliers use only USA northern native, or high quality exotic hardwoods, and is 100% hardwood construction. Other companies may use hardwood substitutes, and a thinner top layer. Premium products should not be confused with flooring that is made to look like wood.
TOP
What advantage does engineered flooring have over solid hardwood flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is very versatile and more stable than solid flooring. For example, engineered hardwood flooring can be glued, stapled, or nailed to virtually any subfloor, concrete, wood, linoleum, or even over existing hardwood floors. The cross directional layup of the products counteracts the natural tendency of wood to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, making engineered flooring inherently dimensionally more stable than solid products. However, there is something about a solid ¾” hardwood floor that appeals to so many people for a number of reasons. Let us help you make the right choice.
TOP
Are floating floors the same as engineered floors?
Yes and no. Engineered floors may be floated, glued, or nailed depending on the width of the boards, and manufacturers suggested installation procedure. All laminate floors are floating. Boards are attached to one another and float over a foam pad.
TOP
Does all flooring require wall base trims, and expansion joints?
Remember when choosing your hardwood flooring an installer must leave an expansion joint which needs to be covered by a wall-base trim. Hardwood flooring jobs require a wood wall-base, and trim pieces at doorways, stairs, sliding doors and transitions from one floor covering to another. Wall-base trim and transition trim prices have to be added in to the total cost of the flooring job as well as foam, glue, and preparation of your existing sub-floors.
TOP
Which type of wood is the hardest?
All hardwoods that are used for flooring are very dependable and resilient. They do have their different scales of hardness that you will find by referring to the Janka Hardness and Stability Chart. Some of the more popular species of wood that are used for flooring are Hard Maple, Red Oak, Cherry, Ash, and Birch. Of these species listed, even though they do have different scales of hardness, you will not see a great difference under normal wear and tear.
TOP
Why are there gaps in between the boards on my floor?
During the summer months of the year, there is a lot of humidity in the air. Your hardwood floor soaks up this humidity and expands. As the winter months roll around, and the heat is turned on, the floor dries out and starts to gap. There are a couple of tips that we recommend to try and avoid this problem. Keep the room at a constant 45% humidity level using an air conditioner, humidifier, or a dehumidifier. Also, prior to installation, your floor should acclimate to its surroundings for two weeks. Before the floor is to be laid, it should be stored in the area where it will be installed. Stack the flooring 3-4 bundles high leaving a 6” – 7” space between the stacks. This will allow air to circulate between the stacks and for your flooring to properly acclimate to the temperature of your home.
TOP
What type of care is required for my hardwood floor?
Unfinished hardwood floors do not require waxing, most often just a light damp mopping will clean your floor. Some cleaners can be used infrequently to maintain the floors. We recommend Bona Kemi Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
For pre-finished floors, use only Bona Kemi Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It has no residues or abrasives. Do not wax, polish or buff. Keep the floors swept
clear of small stones and dirt that could scratch the floor if walked on. If you use a vacuum, be sure that it doesn’t have a beater brush.
TOP
What are the names of DOMESTIC and IMPORTED wood flooring species?
DOMESTIC: Ash, Beech, Birch, American Cherry, Douglas Fir, Heart Pine, Hickory, Pecan, Maple, Mesquite, Red Oak, White Oak, Walnut, Yellow Pine.
IMPORTED/EXOTIC: Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba), Cypress (Australian), Jarrah, Santos Mahogany, Merbau, Padauk (African), Purpleheart, Rubberwood, Teak, Wenge, Amendoim.
TOP
How do I choose the right type of wood flooring?
Choosing the right kind and style of wood flooring is not hard if you are familiar with several industry terms.
Choice #1: Unfinished wood flooring:
Unfinished flooring is a product that must be job-site sanded and finished after installation.
Choice #2: Pre-finished wood flooring:
Pre-finished flooring is factory sanded and finished flooring that only needs installation.
Choice #3: Solid wood flooring:
Solid wood flooring is completely lumber . It is available in unfinished and pre-finished. Solid wood flooring is produced in:
- Strip – in thickness of 5/16” to ¾” in widths of 1-1/2”, 2”, and 2-1/4”
- Plank – in thickness of ½” or ¾” and widths of 3” to 12”
- Parquet – geometrical patterns composed of individual wood slats held in
Place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive.
Choice #4: Engineered wood flooring:
Engineered wood flooring is produced by bonding layers of veneer and lumber with an adhesive. Engineered wood flooring is available in pre-finished and unfinished. These products are more dimensionally stable and are ideal for glue-down installation or floating installation above grade, on grade or below grade, including basements and humid climates. Engineered wood flooring is produced in:
- Strip – thickness of 5/16”, 3/8” , ½” or 5/8” and in widths of 2” and 2-1/4”
- Plank – thickness of 5/16”, 3/8”, ½”, or 5/8” and in widths of 3” to 12”
- Parquet – one-piece wood tile available in 9” x 9” or 8” x 8” and other patterns.
TOP
Is it cost-effective for home builders and renovators to select wood flooring over less costly material?
Yes! Residential real estate agents say homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster, and fetch higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). By a three-to-one margin, real estate agents say that a house with wood floors would sell faster than a carpeted house. Some 58 percent said a house with wood floors would bring a higher price. "There is a perception today that they don't build homes like they used to," according to one real estate agent. "So when people see hardwood floors instead of carpet-covered plywood, they feel the entire house was built with superior building materials."
TOP
Wood vs Carpet?
Carpeting is more economical, you think. Actually, carpeting lasts between seven and ten years under normal residential use. Hardwood floors can last a lifetime and are always in style.
Here’s a 30-year comparison test you can use when trying to decide between carpeting or wood flooring. Say you installed a hardwood floor. It would typically last for 30 years. During that same period you probably would have to install new carpeting four or five times. At that rate, the hardwood flooring actually costs less than the cumulative cost of all the carpeting you would have to install.
Another thing to consider is the cleanliness of your home. A large American company that recycles old carpeting has stated that most used carpeting it receives for processing contains at least 35% of its weight in household dirt. The families who owned this old carpeting were actually walking or crawling on dirt. Hardwood flooring is simply cleaner. If it is dirty, the dirt is plainly visible to the eye, not hidden within carpet fibers. Hardwood flooring is recommended for those people suffering from allergies. Unlike carpeting, hardwood doesn’t offer allergens and dust mites a place to hide. Hardwood flooring may be your best buy and most solid investment.
TOP
People have diverse tastes in interior design. Does wood flooring go well with most design styles?
Yes. In a recent survey commissioned by the NWFA, more than three-quarters of interior designers find that wood flooring works well with many decorating styles. "It's the most versatile floor covering there is," says one designer. "Wood goes with contemporary and traditional and everything in between." Designers rated natural materials as superior to man-made materials in beauty, prestige, style, maintenance, and durability. A variety of woods and finishes are available to complement the decor and style of any room. Oak and maple are the most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing in exotics such as Brazilian cherry and Santos Mahogany, to name a few.
TOP
There are so many species of wood. How should a person select one?
Choosing a species of wood involves more than selecting a color to match décor. Both decorators and installers should be aware of the basic facts about wood species. Other appearance-related attributes are important for designers too, such as texture, grain, and color. Installers will want to consider mechanical properties like dimensional stability, machinability, and ease in finishing. And any consumer will need to consider availability and cost. Our wood experts offer detailed information about the properties of many wood species.
TOP
Why do most gymnasiums use wood flooring?
For the same reason many homes and businesses do: durability and comfort. Indeed, wood flooring commands more than 70 percent of the highly demanding sports floor market. Wood floors are softer and more supple than other surfaces. Wood flooring provides greater resilience, improved shock absorption, and increased energy return, all of which help to reduce injury and body fatigue for athletes.
TOP
In the past wood flooring had been used in low-traffic areas like formal living rooms or conference rooms. Is it durable enough for a kitchen, bathroom, or work space?
Yes. Clients are discovering what basketball players have always known: wood flooring can take a pounding and still look beautiful. The urethane finishes on most new wood floors stand up to water and traffic, bringing wood flooring into bathrooms, kitchens, and other higher-stress areas. These finishes will resist wear and stains better than other finishes and require no stripping, no buffing and no waxing.
TOP
Does wood flooring provide good acoustics?
Churches, synagogues, and other clients with auditorium projects increasingly request wood floors for its warmth and acoustic contributions. Ask your wood flooring professional about special installation techniques that can increase acoustic abilities.
TOP
Do you carry “green” and sustainable flooring?
Yes, most of the flooring that we carry is distributed through Golden State Flooring, California’s largest hardwood flooring distributor. Golden State Flooring, and therefore Princeton Flooring, is committed to offering a complete line of green and LEED-compliant wood flooring products, as well as eco-friendly and LEED-compliant companion products such as adhesives, stains, finishes and underlayments.
Golden State Flooring also strives to be a resource for accurate, no-nonsense information on the key environmental issues that impact our industry such as:
• FSC Certification
• Sustainable Forestry
• Indoor Air Quality
• Recycled/Reclaimed/Salvage Content
• Green Building Programs
• LEED Credits Relevant To Our Industry
TOP
Are your floors LEED-Compliant or FSC Certified?
Yes. The Forest Stewardship Council is a not-for-profit organization that accredits certifiers whose programs conform to its internationally recognized Principles and Criteria, thereby providing a consistent and credible framework for independent certification efforts worldwide. The leading FSC-accredited certifying agencies in North America are SmartWood and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).
Along with Golden State Flooring, some of our Certified and LEED-coompliant manufacturers are BR-111, Mirage, Eastern Elegant, BHK, Hakwood, WFI, Bostik, Sika, Franklin, and Bona Kemi.
TOP
|
