Contact Pryor Floor

Why are oak floors so popular?

Oak makes for a very good flooring choice because it’s competitively priced, durable, and one of the few woods that takes stains well. They are also many pre-milled oak trim pieces available that can be incorporated into your project to blend with the floor. Oak is offered in various millings and grades.

Why are most floors boards 2 1/4” wide?

2 1/4″ is the standard, traditional milling for oak (and most other species) of flooring. Departing from this size leads to limited availability and higher prices. The wider the board, the wider shrinkage cracks are between the boards. Narrower boards, such as 1 1/2”, are usually recommended for certain applications to minimize shrinkage.

Can I install wood flooring over a concrete floor?

We do not recommend installing solid wood flooring over a concrete slab on or below grade, as there is no completely foolproof way to install a vapor barrier and subfloor system over concrete to permit the use of solid wood flooring. Instead, engineered flooring is recommended for such applications.

Can I install wood flooring over an in-floor radiant heat system?

Yes, as long as the subsystem is properly designed and constructed, and you are aware that you will have an increased likelihood of shrinkage cracks between boards due to the surface heat.

Should I consider prefinished floors for my project?

Prefinished flooring is typically geared towards the homeowner or do-it-yourselfer who wants to install floors on their own by taking the most difficult part of the job out of the picture. Prefinished floors eliminate the needs for special equipment or expertise.

Advantages:

No sanding dust
No drying times for stains and finishes
Longer finish durability

Disadvantages:

Uneven appearance since boards are not sanded once laid down next to each other
Greater visibility of cracks between boards
Limited repair options for damaged areas
Harder to clean with their bevel edge

What about laminate floors?

While laminate floors may look like hardwood at first glance, they actually compete more with the vinyl floor market. Because laminate floors are not made of true wood, Pryor Floor has chosen not to install or service this product.

Should I expect shrinkage cracks in my wood floors?

To quote the National Oak Floor Manufacturer’s Association, “Properly made and properly installed oak floors should be expected to have ‘hairline cracks’ between boards in dry months in most areas of North America.”

Shrinkage cracks in wood flooring are a big concern for those living in the arid climate of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, and can be minimized, but not totally eliminated, by the following:

Using material that’s acclimated to dry air
Avoid wide plank flooring
Avoid wood species more prone to shrinkage
Keep home at a constant temperature and humidity levels
Use proper subfloor materials and installation techniques

What type of subfloor is best for hardwood installation?

Exterior grade plywood is the best subfloor for modern construction because of its excellent nail- or staple-holding power. In older construction, 1×6 or 1×8 boards of #1 or #2 common pine laid at a 45-degree angle to joists is also a good subfloor.

Will my new wood floor be perfectly level?

Your new wood floor will only be as level as the subfloor underneath it. The general industry specifications are that the floor be flat to within 1/8” in 6’, or 3/16” in 10’. If you are concerned about the level of your floors, you may need to have your builder or general contractor check and repair your subfloor prior to installing any new wood flooring.

What should I know about different grades of flooring?

In addition to the species of wood, you can choose from various grades of flooring. The grade describes only the cosmetics of the wood—all grades exhibit the same strength and longevity throughout the species. The lower grades have a higher concentration of character marks such as knots, worm holes, mineral streaks, and light and dark contrast, for a more rustic look. As you move up in grade, the concentration of character marks decreases and the overall appearance and coloration becomes more uniform.

What type of finish is best?

There is no universal answer for the best type of wood floor finish. At Pryor Floor, we prefer the traditional oil-base polyurethane finish, which is a very durable product. It has an amber coloration that intensifies the underlying coloration of the wood, and gradually darkens over time, but may fade in areas that get direct sunlight.

What can I do to prevent sun-fading of my floors?

While most discoloration is caused by sunlight, wood floor finishes will also fade with age. Moving area rugs and furniture regularly will help to minimize the stark contrast between areas with sunlight exposure and those that have been shielded from light.

How should I care for my floors?

Please visit our Why Wood Flooring? Page to learn more about maintaining and caring for wood floors. Our staff is here to help you make your wood flooring last!

What is involved in maintenance-coating my floors?

For maintenance coats, our team will need a bare floor to work with, so it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to remove any furniture. We then lightly abrade the floor using a buffer and abrasive screen to roughen the top surface of the existing finish in order for the new coat to adhere. This process will also remove fine surface scratches and scuffs, but will not remove anything deeper, such as dents, sun fading, or wear stains. The floor needs to dry overnight without foot traffic, and a few days longer before furniture and area rugs are replaced.

What if my floors need sanding and refinishing?

Reasons to sand or refinish your wood floors include:

Wear stains have appeared
It’s been too long between maintenance coats
There are blemishes that are too deep to remove
Improper cleaning products were used

In most cases, sanding and refinishing is a three-day process because there are three applications of product on your floor—one coat of seal or stain on the bare wood, then two full-strength coats of urethane finish.

How dusty is the sanding process?

The sanding process is an inherently dusty procedure. We will put plastic wherever possible to contain dust in the immediate work area, but we face limitations in areas with vaulted ceilings or open lofts. Our machines have built-in vacuums and dust bags to capture the majority of the dust, but they can’t get it all. If possible, we recommend that you remove wall hangings and window coverings prior to sanding. The best way to avoid the sanding mess is to keep up with maintenance coats on your floors to avoid having to sand and refinish them.