Additional Considerations to InstallWood must acclimate inside the home for at least 1 week prior to install
Site-Finished floors are sanded after installation. A stain (if desired) and a coat of finish are applied. NO FOOT TRAFFIC ON THE FLOOR DURING THE STAIN & FINISH PROCESS, INCLUDING PETS
The second coat of finish is applied. Once this coat is dry the floors can be walked on
Dry time is affected by the external environment and can range from approximately 5 hours with the water-based finish to upwards of 12 or more for polyurethane finish.
Behavior of wood Wood will continually expand and contract with changes in humidity. Moisture absorption causes wood to expand and moisture loss causes wood to shrink. In Colorado, during winter, the humidity drops along with the temperature. Furnaces pull additional moisture from the wood. This causes shrinking and cracking, a humidifier attached to the heating system at 35-45% is recommended
During the summer moisture is replaced back in the air and the wood will absorb it. This will cause the wood to expand to its original size.
Filling your wood floor during the winter season, to fill expanding gaps that are a result in the changes in humidity, is not recommended. When the wood expands in summer it could cause boards to warp or force out excess fill. Shrinkage is not a flaw or related to installation. The material is just reacting naturally to changes in moisture levels.