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Hardwood floors add a beautiful and natural
touch...
they also
add value to your home and are highly praised in the resale home market. Today's
hardwood floors have made advances in style, durability, maintenance and care,
making them more widely usable throughout the home (with the exception of the
bathroom where its use is not recommended due to potential moisture problems).
With simple sweeping or vacuuming and occasional spot cleaning, wood floors will
last a lifetime. There are hundreds of choices in style and color with today's
options even spanning into exotic hardwoods. Most wood floors are available in
several grades in a wide range of prices.
Species
Wood floors are available in a number of popular species, including
oak and maple. Species such as pine, cherry, merbau, pecan, and other specialty
woods are also available.
Construction
There are two constructions of wood commonly sold. "Solid" wood is
milled from one piece of wood. "Engineered" wood consists of three or more
layers in a cross-ply construction. Solid wood construction is generally used
when installing over a wood subfloor where the hardwood will be nailed to the
subfloor. Engineered wood construction is generally used when the floor is
installed in basements or over slab concrete where the hardwood floor needs to
adhere to the subfloor.
Styles
Woods styles come in strips, planks, or parquet tiles with numerous
edge treatments such as square, micro, and beveled edges. You can choose from a
wide range of stains to complement your décor and from two types of finishes:
urethane or wax. Both can be enjoyed as soon as the floor is installed.
Unfinished wood floors can be less expensive to purchase, again depending on
grade and color. However, they are considerably more work to install, often
require a professional installer and the finish may not last as long unless it
is recoated every five to seven years.
Durability
The technology of modern protective finishes has come a long way,
making wood flooring more practical than ever. Urethane finishes are the most
popular today because their ultraviolet light-cured finish allows for easier
maintenance and longevity. Most finishes also contain aluminum oxide that
enhances durability. Still, because of the nature of the material, wood is
susceptible to scratches, dents and dings from high heels, household accidents
and such.
In this
day and age, there is little need for sanding and refinishing a wood floor.
Instead, you can just reapply the urethane finish every ten to fifteen years -
which will revitalize the shine and make the floor appear new again. Wood floors
should only be sanded or refinished if they suffer severe damage, or if you
desire a new color.
Maintenance & Care
To keep them in good shape and looking new, it is necessary to clean
a wood floor with a soft broom or vacuum. To maintain its luster, use the
manufacturers recommended cleaner with a dry mop and a terry cloth cover.
Urethane floors should never be buffed.
Installation: Do-It-Yourself -- Or Not?
Professional installation is generally recommended. However,
depending on the type of wood floor, the size of the job, and how handy a
homeowner you are, you may be able to do the job yourself. For example, if
you're very handy and looking at installing a factory-finished floor in a small
to medium-sized room, doing it yourself would probably not be too tough and will
save you the cost of hiring a professional.
Although we feature over 20
lines of Bruce Hardwood Flooring, the following are the most popular with
Douglas Hardwood Floor customers. To see the true beauty of Bruce Hardwood
Flooring, please stop by our showroom.
Dundee
Solid oak,
¾ " thick by 2 ¼" or 3 ¼" wide. Micro Edges and square ends accentuate the
linear look while focusing on each individual strip. Dundee Strip can be mixed
with Dundee Plank for an alternate width pattern. Factory finished for quick
installation and consistency of color and finish.
Wood
species: Oak
Collection Grade: Better
Style: Strip & Plank
Dimensions: ¾ IN X 2 ¼ IN (strip) or ¾ IN X 3 ¼ IN (Plank) X Random
Lengths
Edge Detail: Micro Edge / Square Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster Plus Urethane
Construction Type: Solid
Installation Level: On/Above Ground Level; nail down
Warranty: 15 Year Finish, Lifetime Structural warranty
Dundee is available in the
following colors:
Natural |
Butterscotch |
Fawn |
Dune |
Spice |
Seashell |
Saddle |
Gunstock |
Cherry |
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Fulton
Random length board
with square edges and ends replicate the look of site finished floors without
the mess. Factory finished for quick installation and consistency of color and
finish. Design Idea: mix Fulton Strip and Plank to achieve an alternating width
pattern.
Wood species:
Oak
Collection Grade:
Better
Style: Strip & Plank
Dimensions: ¾ IN X 2 ¼ IN (strip) or ¾ IN X 3 ¼ IN (plank) X Random
Lengths
Edge Detail: Square
Edge / Square Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster
Plus Urethane
Construction Type:
Solid
Installation Level:
On/Above Ground Level; nail down
Warranty:
15 Year Finish, Lifetime
Structural warranty
Fulton is available in the
following colors:
Natural |
Butterscotch |
Fawn |
Dune |
Spice |
Seashell |
Saddle |
Gunstock |
Cherry |
|
Kennedale
The graceful, warm appearance of maple is beautifully presented. At 2 1/4" wide,
the solid maple construction features slightly eased edges and square ends that
accentuate the long, linear look.
Wood species: Maple
Collection Grade: Best
Style: Strip & Plank
Dimensions: ¾ IN X 2 ¼ IN (strip) or ¾ IN X 3 ¼ IN (Plank) X Random
Lengths
Edge Detail: Eased Edge / Square Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster Plus Urethane
Construction Type: Solid
Installation Level: On/Above Ground Level; nail down
Warranty: 25 Year Finish, Lifetime Structural warranty
Kennedale is available in
the following colors:
Natural |
Country |
Cherry |
Cinnamon |
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Liberty
Plains Plank
Wood
species: Ash, Maple, Oak
Collection Grade: Best
Style: Plank
Dimensions: 3/4 IN X 3 IN or 4 IN or 5 IN X Random Lengths
Edge Detail: Micro Edge / Micro Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster Plus Urethane
Construction Type: Solid
Installation Level: On/Above Ground Level; nail down
Liberty Plains is available
in the following colors:
Natural |
Butterscotch |
Toast |
Cinnamon |
Gunstock |
Birchall
Elegant birch hardwood floor is factory finished for exceptional color and fast,
easy installation.
Wood species:
Birch
Collection Grade: Best
Style: Strip & Plank
Dimensions: ¾ IN X 2 ¼ IN (strip) or ¾ IN X 3 ¼ IN or 4 ¼ IN (plank) X
Random Lengths
Edge Detail: Micro Edge / Micro Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster Plus Urethane
Construction Type: Solid
Installation Level: On/Above Ground Level; nail down
Warranty: 25 Year Finish, Lifetime Structural warranty
Birchall is available in
the following colors:
Natural
Reflections
The
patented milling system of Natural Reflections is unmatched in the industry. The
2 1/4" wide, solid oak construction features square edges and ends. The low
profile is perfect for remodeling in that it allows a smooth transition to other
rooms. This is the only solid oak product that can be glued directly to the
subfloor.
Wood species: Oak
Collection Grade: Best
Style: Strip
Dimensions: 5/16 IN X 2 ¼ IN X Random Lengths
Edge Detail: Square Edge / Square Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster Plus Urethane
Construction Type: Solid
Installation Level: On/Above Ground Level; glue down or staple
Warranty: 25 Year Finish, Lifetime Structural Warranty, and Lifetime
Adhesive Bond Warranty
Natural Reflections is
available in the following colors:
Natural |
Butterscotch |
Mellow |
Quartz |
Gunstock |
Spice |
Walnut |
Prairie |
Cherry |
Ivory White |
Mink Grey |
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Northshore
Wood
species: Oak
Collection Grade: Best
Style: Strip & Plank
Dimensions: 3/8 IN X 2 ¼ IN or 3 ¼ IN or 5 IN or 7 IN X Random Lengths
Edge Detail: Square Edge / Square Ends
Finish: Dura-Luster Plus Urethane
Construction Type: Engineered
Installation Level: Below/On/Above Ground Level; glue down
Warranty: 25 Year Finish, Lifetime Structural Warranty, Lifetime Adhesive
Bond and Sub-Floor Moisture Protection Warranty
Northshore is available in
the following colors:
Natural |
Butterscotch |
Vintage Brown |
Gunstock |
Saddle |
Bruce Full Warranties
Since 1884, the Bruce name has been synonymous with quality hardwood
flooring. Bruce's dedication to quality and to research and development are some
of the reasons why we can offer our customers the most inclusive warranties in
the hardwood flooring industry. The Warranties described below are given to the
original purchaser only
AND
ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROCEDURES, LIMITATIONS, DISCLAIMERS
AND EXCLUSIONS SET FORTH
HEREIN. The Warranties cover only approved product applications as recommended
by Bruce Hardwood Floors and are effective on hardwood flooring products
described below purchased after JANUARY 1, 2001.
FULL
LIFETIME STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY WARRANTY
Bruce warrants its products, in their original manufactured
condition, to be free from defects in lamination, assembly, milling, dimension
and grading for as long as the original purchaser owns the floor. Bruce
additionally warrants that all its engineered hardwood flooring products, even
when applied on a radiant heated concrete subfloor, with subfloor surface
temperature not exceeding 85°F. will not buckle, cup or warp for as long as the
original purchaser owns the floor when properly installed according to Bruce
installation instruction procedures, and when properly maintained in accordance
with such instructions and the Bruce Floor Care and Product Warranty Guide.
Hardwood flooring, being a natural product, will continue to expand and contract
through heating and non-heating seasons. Properly installed hardwood floors may
consequently experience some separation between the boards at different times
during the year. If such separation occurs. It is not considered a product
defect and is not covered by this warranty.
FULL
LIFETIME ADHESIVE BOND WARRANTY
Bruce warrants that the urethane adhesive recommended by Bruce in the
installation instructions for 5/16" thick product, when properly installed with
Bruce 5/16" thick hardwood flooring products in accordance with the installation
instructions, will maintain its bond for as long as the original purchaser owns
the floor. Bruce also warrants that its own adhesive, when properly installed
with Bruce engineered hardwood flooring products or other engineered hardwood
flooring products that meet all the technical specifications that Bruce hardwood
flooring products meet will maintain its bond for as long as the original
purchaser owns the floor. Proper job site pre-inspection, installation and
maintenance procedures must be followed. Adhesive breakdown caused by subfloor
moisture damage an/or water damage, including but not limited to broken water
pipes or flooding, is not covered under this warranty. Subfloor moisture is
detailed below under the section entitled "Full Lifetime Subfloor Moisture
Protection Warranty."
FULL
LIFETIME SUBFLOOR MOISTURE PROTECTION WARRANTY
Bruce provides an additional Full Lifetime Subfloor Moisture
Protection Warranty (for residential applications only) against adhesive failure
only for Bruce engineered hardwood flooring products, or other engineered
hardwood flooring products that meet all the technical specifications of Bruce
engineered hardwood floors, when properly installed with Bruce recommended
adhesive for as long as the original purchaser owns the home. This recommended
adhesive has been specially formulated for use with Bruce engineered hardwood
floors. Before installation begins all subfloors must be inspected for moisture
problems to ensure they are dry. Written documentation of this inspection must
be obtained to validate this Full Lifetime Subfloor Moisture Protection
Warranty. This Full Lifetime Subfloor Moisture Protection Warranty is limited to
one repair or replacement.
FULL
FINISH AND WOOD LAYER WARRANTIES
Bruce warrants to the original purchaser that the finish on its Bruce
Dura-Luster® Plus (urethane), Bruce Dura-Luster® (urethane) and Bruce Dura-Satin®
(wax) factory finished products, from the date of purchase, when used under
normal residential or commercial traffic conditions, as applicable, will not
wear through or separate from the wood for the period specified for each of the
respective warranties below, on all such products purchased after
JANUARY 1, 2001. Bruce also warrants to the original purchaser that
the engineered, acrylic impregnated wood layer (this excludes the Permion
finish) on all Bruce acrylic impregnated factory finished products, from the
date of purchase when used under normal residential conditions, as applicable,
will not wear through or separate from its multi-ply, engineered construction
for the period specified for each of the respective warranties below, on all
such products purchased after
JANUARY 1, 2001.
All commercial and
residential finish and Impregnated Wood Surface Warranties exclude any
indentations, scratches or damage caused by lack of proper maintenance, misuse,
negligence, spiked heel shoes, pets, insects, water, moisture, erosion, pebbles,
sand, other abrasives, insufficient protection on furniture, wet mopping or
failure to follow all the manufacturer's written maintenance instructions. Use
of floor care products other than those especially formulated for use on Bruce
flooring, may damage your floor and may void the warranty.
FULL
25-YEAR FINISH WARRANTY FOR BEST- RATED, DURA-LUSTER PLUS (URETHANE) FINISH
PRODUCTS
Bruce warrants to the original purchaser that the finish will not
wear through or separate from the wood for the lesser of 25 full years or as
long as the original purchaser owns the home for all Bruce BEST-Rated factory
finished products with the Dura-Luster Plus finish.
FULL
15-YEAR FINISH WARRANTY FOR BETTER-RATED,
DURA-LUSTER
PLUS
(URETHANE) FINISH PRODUCTS.
Bruce warrants to the original purchaser that the finish will not
wear through or separate from the wood for the lesser of 15 full years or as
long as the original purchaser owns the home for all Bruce BETTER-Rated factory
finished products with the Dura-Luster Plus finish. This includes Bruce American
Home Series® and America's Best Choice factory finished, BETTER-Rated products
with the Dura-Luster Plus finish.
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