FAQ
What type of finishing options do you offer to prevent wear and tear?
Polyurethane is the most popular type of finish due to its price and durability. There are two types of polyurethane finishes that we offer: an oil-based finish and a water-based finish.
What is an oil-based finish?
An oil-based finish has a nice ambering look and is very durable at an affordable price. It has a high VOC content, which does have a strong smell and has a longer dry time.
What is a water-based finish?
A water-based finish is a clear finish that is also very durable. A water-based finish is more expensive than an oil-based finish, but it has low VOC, has a minimal smell, and has a much quicker drying time.
Are there natural alternatives to a polyurethane finish?
Yes, there are natural alternatives such as wax, penetrating oils and hardwax oils that have 0 VOC’s, are easy to maintain, have a quicker drying time, and can be used on a variety of floors. These can include Odie’s Oil, Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C, and Bona Craft Oil2K.
Do you offer any special organic
or chemical-free products or treatments?
Yes, we do offer green products. We use a water-based polyurethane which has a low VOC, making it a Green Product. This lowers the amount of fumes in the home. Some of the wax, penetrating oils, or hardwax oils are organic and chemical-free with 0 VOC’s. They are durable, easy to maintain, and are made of natural oils like linseed.
What do you do about dust while sanding floors?
We use a dust containment system, a very powerful vacuum that connects to our equipment and sucks in the dust as we sand. If the system is not used, the walls may need to be cleaned with a rag to pick up some of the dust that may have collected. It keeps the air quality high and avoids having any clean up after we finish.
How do you protect marble and granite counters as well as cabinets in the kitchen?
In addition to the dust containment system, we also use plastic barriers as extra protection in kitchens with cabinets and special countertops as well as other areas that need to be kept impeccable.
Can hardwood flooring be installed over a concrete slab?
Yes, solid hardwood can be installed over concrete, however, a wood subfloor must be installed first. If it is not feasible to install a wood subfloor, it’s best to use engineered wood flooring.
Can an engineered wood floor be installed over a concrete slab?
Yes, an engineered wood floor can be glued directly to the concrete slab. It can also be floated over concrete, meaning it is not glued or nailed down. Floating floors are the most cost-effective because it requires less prep work.
Can a plywood subfloor be installed over a concrete slab?
Yes, this is a more expensive option and will add height by either gluing and nailing it to the slab or floating it. A solid or engineered wood floor will then be nailed to the plywood. This method is the only secure way to install a solid wood floor to a slab.
Can a hardwood flooring be installed over an existing floor?
Yes, but the final finished floor will only be as good as the base that is placed over. However, if the existing floor makes noise, moves, is chipping, or cracking, then it is best to remove or repair that floor first.
What can I use to clean my hardwood floor?
The most common type of floor is a polyurethane finished floor and we recommend Bona Wood Floor Cleaner or Basic Coatings Squeaky Cleaner. For other finishes like wax, penetrating oils, and hardwax oils, it is best to use the cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.
How can I maintain my Polyurethane finished hardwood floor?
You can sweep, dry mop, or vacuum your floors. Clean with appropriate cleaner as needed. Two popular brands are BONA Wood Floor Cleaner or Basic Coatings Squeaky Cleaner. You can also recoat or do maintenance coats on the polyurethane finished floors to maintain them and extend the life of the floor with a deep clean, “screening”, or “buffing” the floor and applying another layer of finish.
How can I maintain my hardwood floor if it has penetrating oils, hardwax oils, or wax?
You can maintain your hardwood floor if it has penetrating oils, hardwax oils, and waxed floors by cleaning and reapplying the appropriate oil.
Am I responsible for moving the furniture?
Yes, we ask our customers to plan ahead before our start date and have a place to store all their personal items as well as all furniture. The rooms that will be worked on, will need to be completely empty before we arrive. There are also moving companies that provide “in-house” moving services.
Which floors are best if there are pets in the home such as cats or dogs?
The nails of any pet can cause the finish on any floor to scratch. It is best to ensure the nails of pets are trimmed down. As long as the right precautions are taken, most floors and finishes can perform well with pets. Satin and matte sheens can help hide scratches.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, each floor installation or floor repair project comes with a one-year workmanship warranty. You may, however, still contact us once the warranty expires for support, questions, or concerns pertaining to the floors we worked on.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all forms of payment including cash or a check payable to JAK Wood Flooring LLC. We also accept credit cards or online ACH transfers as well for your convenience.
Is a deposit required?
Yes, a 50% deposit is required once the estimate is approved to schedule the work. The deposit covers any materials needed for your project and secures a date on our schedule.
What is your anticipated
installation timeline?
The installation timeline depends on the size and layout of each project. A typical three-bedroom home can be installed within 1-2 days.
Is JAK Wood Flooring a member of NWFA?
Yes, we are members of NWFA. We follow guidelines set by the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) and our goal is to exceed them. We strive to be the best in our industry and offer top-notch flooring solutions to our local communities.