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Step 1:
It is critical
that all hardwood acclimate to the current temperature &
moisture level of your home. We will need to deliver your
hardwood wood 2-14 days prior to installation, depending
on the season & width. The hardwood must be placed inside
your home, not in the garage or basement. The wood is
clean, dry & most often only takes up the space of a small
couch. |
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Step 2:
Before the floors can be finished, it is necessary to
remove all existing base shoe (quarter round), appliances,
and of course, furniture. if the areas were carpeted,
most likely you will need to have base shoe installed
around the bottom of the room. This piece of trim hides
the space between your hardwood and the base trim that is
left for the expansion and contraction of your home. Our
trim carpenters will arrive prior to sanding to remove the
existing base shoe & finalize measures for the new trim
that will be necessary to complete the project. |
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Step 3:
The next step will be to remove any existing flooring to
bring us to the original subfloor. This will allow us to
install a ¾” solid hardwood and create an even walking
surface from one area to the next, eliminating the need
for transitions. This also prevents the new flooring from
ending up too high on your current base trim, thereby
reducing the profile of your trim around your home. We
will plastic as necessary and protect areas, but remember,
removing existing flooring can be a messy process!
If the area is carpeted, removing the carpet, pad & tack
strip will get us to the original subfloor. If the area is
tile, vinyl or laminate, this is often installed over a
layer of ¼” or ½” plywood. We will remove all layers to
reach the existing subfloor. The subfloor is then prepped
for new installation by sanding uneven areas & installing
a layer of 15# roofing felt. This layer acts as a sound
and
moisture barrier. All flooring tear-out materials will be
removed and disposed of by Barnum Floors. Now we’re ready
for installation. |
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Step 4:
Our installation crews are the same employees who
completed the tear-out of all previous flooring. They will
begin to rack out the hardwood and installing opposite the
joists in your home. All flush floor registers are also
installed at this time. If we are butting up to existing
hardwood in the home, the installers will “sew” the new
wood into the old wood. This will result in the hardwood
looking like it was part of the original floor. |
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Step 5:
On the day the sanding process begins, our crews arrive
and prepare the home. We will plastic off any
doorways or areas that are not being refinished. Although
we have dustless sanding, occasionally dust can escape
into the room. The plastic adds another layer of
protection. |
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Step 6:
The sanding of your hardwood floor involves numerous
steps. The sanders start with a more aggressive grit
sandpaper to remove the current finish and debris. They
make several additional passes, with various sanding
equipment, with finer sand paper, to produce a smooth, even
surface. Once the wood is sanded, a buffer equipped with a
very fine grit disc is used to blend the marks from the
various sanding machines to remove all scratches and
create a final, even surface. Finally, we tack the floor
to remove any debris and apply the first coat of finish.
It is best to stay outside of your home this night. |
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Step 7:
The next step, called the “back to backs”, varies
depending on the type of finish you choose. If we are
finishing with water-borne polyurethane, we will arrive
the next morning, buff and tack the floor, then apply the
second coat of finish. The third and final coat of
polyurethane is applies within 2-4 hours after the second
coat. This is done without buffing in between to maximize
the finish layers. You can walk on the floor with stocking
feet six hours after the final coat is applied.
If you choose oil-modified polyurethane, we will need to
buff and coat on the 2nd day. Let the floor dry and then
buff and spread a final coat on the 3rd day. This option
requires you stay outside of your home for three nights.
Burnished & waxed finished are also available options. |
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Step 8:
The following day we will arrive & begin to put your house
back together. Appliances will be returned to their
places, all base shoe will be installed and any doors that
have been removed with be re-hung. We may have removed you
toilet or pedestal sink to complete this project. If so, a
plumber will need to be called to reinstall these items to
assure proper installation of plumbing fixtures. We can
arrange a plumber for you. |
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Step 9:
Protecting your hardwood will be the most critical
components in keeping your investment looking new. We
offer several options for you. We recommend you put sticky
felt protection on all furniture. Additionally, we
recommend you install wool “tap-ins” to all moving wooden
furniture; including chairs, bar stools & ottomans. These
wool pads pound into the legs of your chairs and last for
several years. Plastic wheels on rolling chairs must be
replaced with rubber rolling wheels. Barnum Floors will
provide you with a complimentary cleaning kit to get you
started caring for your floor properly from the first day.
We encourage our customers to enjoy their floors and
remember; “this is a floor, NOT a piece of fine
furniture”. |
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