| Q: |
|
WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAMINATE FLOORING AND WOOD FLOORING? |
| A: |
|
Laminate
flooring consists of synthetic backing with a high-pressure laminate
surface. Laminate is not renewable and therefore has a short usable life
span.
Wood
flooring consists of wood backing with wood wear surface or solid wood.
Wood flooring with proper care will last generations. Wood floors can be
refinished, re-sanded, and re-coated to look like new.
|
| |
|
|
| Q: |
|
MY
FLOOR HAS CRACKS IN IT. IS THIS NORMAL? |
| A: |
|
Because
wood is a natural product it will react to changes in its environment the
floor.
The most
common causes of separations are Mother Nature and dryness. The loss of
moisture results in the most frequent reason for shrinkage of individual
pieces and cracks. Most cracks are seasonal – they appear in dry months and close during humid
periods. This type of separation and close is considered normal. Wider boards will
have wider cracks and the reverse is true.
It is good
to ventilate the floors, especially after a night of air-conditioning.
Keeping the mop slightly damp while cleaning the floor prevents excessive
moisture from seeping into the floor.
|
| |
|
|
| Q: |
|
WHERE
DOES TEAK COME FROM?
|
|
A:
|
|
Teak is found
predominantly in tropical countries. In Singapore, teak comes mainly from
Indonesia & Myanmar (formerly called Burma).
|
| |
|
|
| Q: |
|
WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDONESIA TEAK AND BURMA TEAK?
|
|
A:
|
|
It really
takes a trained eye to see the difference. Generally, the colour variation
in the Indonesian variety is more pronounced. However, colour variation in
teakwood itself is deemed normal.
|
| |
|
|
| Q: |
|
WILL
THERE BE TERMITES IN THE WOOD FLOOR?
|
|
A:
|
|
More often
then not, termites are already present in the compound of the house (if
they are found). Installing wood floors only provide an alternative to
their feeding habits. Termites basically attack anything made of wood:
cabinets, furniture, doors, door-frames etc. It is good to check your
floor if you suspect you have a termite problem. Call your local
pest-controller.
|
| |
|
|
|
Q:
|
|
WHAT
ARE THE ACCEPTABLE GUIDELINES FOR THE APPEARANCE OF THE FINISH OF MY WOOD
FLOOR? |
| A: |
|
Inspection
should be done from a standing position with normal lighting.
Glare, particularly from large windows, magnifies any irregularity in
the floors and should not determine acceptance.
No matter
how hard the professional tries or how well experienced they are, there
are some things you should not expect.
- A
tabletop finish. Each piece of wood flooring sands differently
depending on its grain type (plain or quartered) making it virtually
impossible for a completely flat surface.
- Dust-free
finish. Since your floor is being finished in your home it is
not possible to achieve a "clean room" environment. Some
dust will fall onto the freshly applied top finish.
|
Reference: NWFA
