What to Expect

Once you’ve decided to install or refinish a wood floor, you may wonder what will happen next.
Knowing what to expect before, during, and after the work takes place will help ensure a high-
Before

Before work begins, remove all furnishings, draperies, paintings, and other items from the room.

During

If your floors are being sanded, finished or refinished, be prepared for some noise and disruption.
Dust containment systems can minimize debris, but no system is 100% effective, so cover any items
that you want to keep dust-free. When the finish is applied, stay off your floors until it has dried.
The time required will vary depending on the type of finish used.


After

After the finish has dried, put felt pads on the bottoms of any furniture to minimize scratches and
dents. Place scatter rugs at all entrances, avoiding those with rubber backs, which can discolor your
floor. Avoid walking on your floors with cleats or high heels in disrepair.

Keep in mind that no two floor boards will be identical. Variations in appearance are completely
normal. As your floor ages, some color change can occur. This also is normal, but can be minimized
by limiting exposure to direct sunlight, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Seasonal humidity
change may cause the wood to expand and contract. Cracks are normal and will appear and
disappear between floor boards during seasons of high and low humidity. Flooring inspectors
recommend inspecting the floor from a standing position in normal lighting to identify irregularities.

Finally, keep your wood floors looking their best by properly maintaining them. Maintain
fluctuations in home relative humidity to 10% - 20%. Use a cleaning product recommended for your
floors and use it regularly to keep them looking beautiful for years to come.