On the Job working with Hardwood Flooring
Bona-Certified Craftsmen
Unlike the competition, New England Custom Floors’ on the job standard preparation procedures include two additional steps:
- Detailed sanding called hard plating involves using a 3-disk machine to give a flat topography to the floor, making it prime for stain application
- Protecting walls with plastic safely taped on, from top to bottom, to ensure greatest protection
Sub-floor Preparation
The most important consideration of any hardwood flooring install is the sub floor. It must be level to insure the best outcome.
- We leave a 3/4″ expansion to starting wall & perpendicular to adjacent wall, and 1/4″ toward the right side wall.
- Flatness- Sub-floor surface should be flat to a maximum tolerance of 3/16′ (15 mm) per 10’ radius. If sub floor needs to be prepped to meet requirements, there will be at an additional cost.
- Dry: Sub-floor must be dry and within moisture reading specs.
- Plywood should not exceed 12% of moisture. Concrete slab should not exceed 3 lbs. of moisture per 1,000 S; Please note if mitigation is required there will be an additional fee.
- Clean: At no additional cost, we will vacuum sub-floor of any debris or obstacles, such as cleats, nail heads, dried glue or any open wood grill vent before beginning any project.
- Moisture level: The temperature must be maintained between 65 and 75 degrees, and relative humidity must be maintained between 35 and 50 degrees at all times (preferred at 45 degrees).
- Acclimation: Wood will have to be acclimated for a period of 14 days in the area where flooring is to be installed. Moisture reading of the sub-floor and wood floor will be taken date of delivery of materials and installation starting date.
Our goal – no matter what size project – is for our customers to end up with exceptional hardwood floors. Our on the job employees are meticulous with any finish application.