Dear Paul ,
Hardwood floors continue to grow in popularity, and there are more species and finishes available than ever before! In this issue, you'll learn about the proper environment for installing hardwoods, when to choose solid vs. engineered hardwoods, the current hardwood trends, the new formaldehyde free engineered woods available and what The Lacey Act means to you.
To learn more about Riemer Floors and our hardwood selection, please visit our website. As always, if we can ever be of service to you feel free to call us at 1-800-574-3637 |
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What is the Proper Environment for a Hardwood Floor Installation?
The success of a hardwood floor installation is highly dependent on the job site conditions at the time of the installation since hardwood floors are significantly impacted by the temperature and moisture content in the home. Therefore, the home needs to be enclosed, with the HVAC turned, and the temperature set from 68-80 degrees. All walls should be sheet rocked and painted; subfloors uniform and screwed down with a moisture content of no more than 10%. The relative humidity within the home should be controlled to a range of 40-55% humidity for a minimum of five days prior to the installation of the hardwood flooring. This environment should be maintained continuously thereafter. |
The Lacey Act:
The World's First Ban on Trade in Illegal Wood 
The Lacey Act is a groundbreaking law, passed in 2008, banning commerce of illegally sourced plants and their products - which include hardwood floors. The Lacey Act is something you do not need to worry about when Riemer Floors installs your hardwoods floors. We only work with manufacturers that legally harvest their wood and meet The Lacey Act regulations. Click here to learn more about The Lacey Act. |
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Formaldehyde-free Engineered Wood
The adhesive in engineered wood has traditionally contained formaldehyde, which has been proven to emit volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air. As an effort to improve air quality, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) put into place formaldehyde emissions standards that dictates that by the year 2010 all engineered wood that is manufactured or brought into the state must meet these standards. This initiative is setting the standard for the entire flooring industry! Now manufacturers, such as Mohawk and Mannington, offer zero-formaldehyde-free engineered wood products. Be nice to the environment and choose low VOC hardwood floors for your next project!
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Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood Floors
We are often asked how to determine whether you should install solid hardwood floors or engineered floors. The key determining factor is whether the room is above or below grade level (FYI - if any wall in a room is six inches below dirt level it is considered below grade level). If a room is above grade level, you can install either. If the room is below grade, you must install engineered hardwood floors. In recent years, engineered wood, in general, has gained popularity because it features a cross-direction construction giving the floor more stability and reaction to environmental changes - and because it can be stapled, glued down or floated. |
