Perfectly Imperfect
One thing we always tell homeowners when we finish their hardwood flooring project is to give their floors time to mature. What we mean by that is it is very common for your hardwood floors to have some temporary, minor “imperfections”, and they are not cause for alarm! It is just part of the flooring process .
Possible Imperfections After Final Finish
To help you understand and prepare for some possible “flaws” that you might see on your finished flooring, here is a list of what to possible expect and to understand is completely normal!
Blemishes & Debris. Settling resins can exaggerate the appearance of blemishes in the early stages of a floor’s life. Any small debris (i.e., tiny, airborne particles) can refract light more during this time. Rest assured - almost all blemishes disappear completely as the finish sets.
Uneven Sheen. Many factors can contribute to an uneven sheen. Dramatic factors such as humidity, temperature, and varying wood species’ composition can make the application process tricky. As with color differentiation, sheen variation will more than likely even out over time.
Screen Marks, Brush Strokes & Abrasions. Minor screen or brush marks may remain slightly visible during the initial drying phases. Likewise; small underlying abrasions may seem almost painfully obvious at first. Take a deep breath! As the finish sets, resins tighten across the wood and many of these marks will all but disappear during the process.
The overall point is to save yourself unnecessary stress and concern over the quality of your floor’s finish. Think of these small “imperfections” like a small cut or blemish on your arm - it will fade quickly and eventually disappear entirely!
How to Inspect Your New Floor
When inspecting your new hardwood floor, remember to do so from a standing position with normal lighting. Glare from windows will magnify any irregularity and can cause unnecessary alarm. These standards are set forth by the National Wood Flooring Association in the NWFA Hardwood Floor Manual and are observed as the standard for practice across the industry.
Hardwood flooring comes from nature, and that means that no two boards are the same and no job will look like another, and that’s what makes this product so special!
