FAQ: Preparing for Your Project

Which is better...Engineered or Solid hardwood flooring?
SOLID vs ENGINEERED
Solid hardwood is nailed to a subfloor. Never installed on concrete. Solid hardwood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. With Georgia's high humidity, we don't recommend installing solid hardwood wider than 5". Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid hardwood . Flooring that is 5" or wider should be engineered flooring. The stability means the flooring won't cup or gap. Engineered Hardwood Flooring can be glued down, stapled and installed using a floating floor method. We consult with clients to determine the best option for their lifestyle and design. NOTE: Engineered flooring with a 3mm or thicker can be sanded and refinished. It generally costs more than the thinner engineered hardwood flooring with a thin, rotary peeled veneer.
Will my flooring be brought inside or left on the curb?
Delivery and Acclimation
Daniels Floors does inside delivery, not a a curbside pallet drop. All hardwood flooring needs to be placed inside the home to acclimatize to the indoor climate. Wood expands and contracts with changes to humidity and temperature. Solid flooring needs more time for acclimation than engineered flooring. Please clear a space near the entrance of your home to store the flooring. Our driver will bring the wood inside your home and place it in an area inside, on the main level. Unfinished wood is in stock. Some prefinished wood may need to be freighted here from other cities.
What's the difference between prefinished hardwood and unfinished hardwood, sanded on site?
Prefinished vs. Site Finished
Prefinished flooring limits you to available colors, but the factory finish is more durable than the finishes applied on site. The lines between the planks are more pronounced on a prefinished floor because they all have micro-bevels. The main advantage of a prefinished floor convenience. We can install a floor and replace the furniture on the same day. Site finished flooring needs to be sanded and finished after installation. Site finished flooring gives you the option of creating a custom color and finish. The main drawback when choosing this option is the delay while waiting for the refinishing process and drying period.
What do I need to do to prepare for hardwood flooring installation or refinishing?
Furniture and Logistics
Please plan to be out of the work area during installation and refinishing. Everything must be removed from the flooring before the flooring crew arrives. We will arrange professional movers if required.
What is the best method for installing hardwood flooring?
Subfloor Prep and Installation
SOLID Hardwood: Before we install solid hardwood, we sand uneven subfloor edges. We drive screws into the subfloor to secure it to the joists and eliminate movement and noise. Finally, we lay down an underlayment as a vapor barrier before nailing down the wood. ENGINEERED Hardwood: Engineered flooring is either glued to the subfloor, nailed/stapled down or floated. Prior to installation, we may need to work on leveling the concrete before glueing the wood down. LACING: When we are adding on to existing hardwoods, we weave or "Lace" the new wood into exisitng wood. We always follow the manufacturers' instructions when installing hardwood flooring.
How do I choose a stain color for my hardwood flooring?
Custom Color Samples
Color selection is easy with our free design consultation. Let us guide you in finding a floor color that complements your home interior. We take extra steps to make sure you see exactly what your flooring will look like when finished. Every plank takes stain differently. Therefore, we apply samples on large swatches to give you a sense of the overall color. We sand the flooring down, apply stain and finish with polyurethane to produce the same look as it will have when finished.
Is Dustless Sanding really "Dustless"?
Refinishing
Daniels Floors uses sanding equiptment with a dustless vacuum system connected directly to the sanding machines. This virtually eliminates dust falling into the wet finish. Your home will be cleaner than when sanded using standard equipment. We apply three coats of floor finish over the stain. The first coat is a sealer, followed by two top coats. A satin finish is the standard finish, unless a client specifies another option like matte or semi-gloss.
Which Polyurethane is best?
Oil Modified or Water Based?
There is no clear cut best option between oil modified polyurethane and water based polyurethane. Both options have formulas that range from basic, lightweight coverage to heavy wear and commercial foot traffic. We chose the later for our projects. OIL: Poloplaz Supreme finish has unbeatable hardness and film properties. Manufactured with purest resins available, PoloPlaz Supreme produces a crystal clear, low ambering, protective polyurethane coating. .
WATER: Loba Duo 2K is a two component, water based polyurethane that, in our opinion, out performs all other water based finishes. Duo 2K features low VOC emission, Excellent wear resistance and chemical resistanceCertified anti-slip properties We consult with our clients to determine which finish is best based on the desired appearance of the floor.
Do you have to replace the shoe mold when sanding?
Trim Moulding
Daniels Floors can replace baseboards, if requested. Many clients upgrade to taller baseboards when they have hardwood flooring installed or refinished. Replacing the baseboards is not required. We do have to remove existing and install new shoe molding or quarter round. Shoe moulding is best for smaller baseboards. Quarter round is larger, and works best with larger baseboards. Homes that have craftsman style wood work look best with a square shoe moulding.
How do I clean hardwood flooring?
Hardwood Cleaning/Care
We recommed waiting 48 hours to replace your furniture. You will need to wait for your polyurethane to cure fully before replacing area rugs. NEVER: Never, ever steam your hardwoods or use hot water on them. NEVER: Never ever apply polish or renewal products. They leave a dull film. You will not be able to have a polyurethane recoat after a polish has been applied. Avoid: Paper cleaning mops for dusting and wet mopping. They are lightly abrasive and will wear down your finish faster. ALWAYS: Always clean up spills and dirt right away. Only use a damp mop of soft cotton or microfiber. You don't need to invest in special cleaning products. Mild dish soap, diluted in warm water on a damp cloth or mop will keep your floors clean.