Frequently Asked Questions
Selecting the right wide wood plank floor for your home requires many considerations. To support your decision making process, we have compiled frequently asked questions of Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring customers.
For a customized review, we can provide a free consultation at our Merrimack, NH barn and showroom. Make an appointment by calling us at (603)345-7131 or via a quick form.
Should the tongue and groove be on all sides?
No. Just on the length of the planks. Our floors are manufactured with strict tolerance regarding dimensions and stability. The ends will match precisely.
How do I keep my Vonderosa Floor looking new?
Not much to do. Mop with water and cleaner. That’s it.
Why choose wide plank floors over traditional wood floor options?
Wide plank flooring is the traditional flooring. The others have been produced as lower cost options. One only needs to look at a properly installed wide plank floor to see the distinctive difference.
A wide plank allows the natural grain patterns of the wood to be accentuated. Plus, a wide plank floor has a classic traditional look and feel.
A long wide plank leaves no doubt that it is real wood.
What is the definition of a wide plank floor?
Any hardwood or softwood floor that is milled 4” or wider as long planks of 6’ to 12’ long.
Does wide plank flooring shrink?
All wood expands and contracts in relation to humidity. It is a hygroscopic material meaning water loving. We understand this and take measures to insure that it does not become an issue with our installed floors.
What is the life expectancy of a Vonderosa Wide Plank Floor?
The life of the home and beyond. In a hundred years if a house is demolished the Vonderosa floor will most likely be reclaimed and used again.
Do wood floors fade over time?
No. Real wood does not fade over time. Most hardwood actually richens or darkens over time.
Do hardwood floors promote a healthier indoor environment?
Bacteria, dust and dirt do not embed themselves in wood flooring, as they do in other flooring options. Simple regular maintenance—such as dustmopping, or sweeping keeps wood floors dust-free. Many people suffer from sensitivity to chemicals and toxins. Numerous studies have shown that wood flooring provides a healthier environment as Wood doesn’t retain irritating dust and microorganisms.
What type of finish should I use on a wood floor?
There are three general types of finish to use on your residential wood floor. There are also urethanes for highly durable impact resistant commercial floors.
The three most common are:
1) Penetrating Oils, the most common of these is Tung Oil. It is easy to apply , typically 4 to 5 coats. It accents the color of the wood. It is not durable, but is easy to do touch up.
2) Oil based urethanes. They are easy to apply but require overnight curing between coats, typically three. They are durable, but not easy to touch up. They accent the color of the wood.
3) Water based Urethanes. Relatively easy to apply. They do not require as long of cure time. Two to three coats can be applied in one day, They do not accent the color of the wood.
We have sample available of flooring finished with all of these.
Who will install my Vonderosa Wide Plank Floor?
Any decent carpenter is capable of installing our flooring. There are companies that specialize in installing wood floors. Be sure to ask if the installer has done wide plank or just strip floors. We have installers that we highly recommend. If you like to deal with just one company, Vonderosa will be happy to quote you for the finished product.
How Hard (Durable) is this floor?
There is a test for hardness. A round ball is pressed into a piece of hardwood floor with increasing amount of force till the hardwood crushes to a certain depth. The results of the tests produce what is called the JANKA hardness scale. The higher the rating the higher the relative hardness of the hardwood floor.
Some common Species are listed here.
Hickory – 1820
Hard Maple – 1450
Ash – 1320
White Oak – 1360
Red Oak – 1290
Black Oak – 1290
Birch – 1260
Heart Pine – 1225
Cherry – 950
Red Pine – 550
White Pine – 380
Why Select Quarter Sawn?
When a plank is Quarter sawn vs Flat sawn it becomes twice as dimensionally stable, ie it contracts or expands half as much with change in humidity. An 8” plank of Quarter sawn will have the same stability as a 4” flat sawn. If you are looking for an exceptionally wide plank floor but want to minimize seems this is an option.
As for appearance, the Quarter sawn plank will have a very pleasant vertical grain look. In some species(white Oak in particular) the appearance of flecks on the plank adds to the unique and preferred appearance.
Quarter sawing is typically time consuming and not an efficient way to saw therefore the cost of the finished floor is more expensive.
Why do I need to acclimate the flooring to the home prior to installation?
Because real wood is sensitive to moisture as it relates to dimensional stability. When wood absorbs moisture from the air it expands slightly. When the air around that wood becomes dryer the wood contracts slightly. Acclimating the plank flooring to the house gives the planks time to adjust to the moisture content of the home prior to install. This will minimize any change in dimension over time. That way you will minimize seems and or buckling in the finished floor.
The proper way to acclimate the planks is to sticker them inside the home for approximately two weeks. To sticker is to place small (1”) sticks between each plank as the planks are stacked. This allows air to flow to each plank. At Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring we provide this service.
How does Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring pricing compare to other premium brands?
Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring pricing is dependent on the following variables;
Woods species and source
Width of floor boards
Sawing (quarter, rift, flat) to produce certain looks and effects
Portion of saw log used (Heart wood, Sapwood)
Grade of cut (Clear, Character, Rustic)
Special machining. chamfered edges, scraping, distressing, etc
During a consultation, we will educate you on these options and listen to your ideas to determine the best solution for you. To make an appointment Contact Us.
Vonderosa Wide Plank Floor customers are often impressed how well the premium Vonderosa product favorably compares in price to the national brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Selecting the right wide wood plank floor for your home or commercial property requires many considerations. To support your decision making process, we have compiled frequently asked questions of Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring customers.
For a customized review, we can provide a free consultation at our Amherst, NH Barn Showroom. Make an appointment by calling us at (603)345-7131 or via a quick form.
Should the tongue and groove be on all sides?
No. Just on the length of the planks. Our floors are manufactured with strict tolerance regarding dimensions and stability. The ends will match precisely.
How do I keep my Vonderosa Floor looking new?
Not much to do. Mop with water and cleaner. That’s it.
Why choose wide plank floors over traditional wood floor options?
Wide plank flooring is the traditional flooring. The others have been produced as lower cost options. One only needs to look at a properly installed wide plank floor to see the distinctive difference.
A wide plank allows the natural grain patterns of the wood to be accentuated. Plus, a wide plank floor has a classic traditional look and feel.
A long wide plank leaves no doubt that it is real wood.
What is the definition of a wide plank floor?
Any hardwood or softwood floor that is milled 4” or wider as long planks of 6’ to 12’ long.
Does wide plank flooring shrink?
All wood expands and contracts in relation to humidity. It is a hygroscopic material meaning water loving. We understand this and take measures to insure that it does not become an issue with our installed floors.
What is the life expectancy of a Vonderosa Wide Plank Floor?
The life of the home and beyond. In a hundred years if a house is demolished the Vonderosa floor will most likely be reclaimed and used again.
Do wood floors fade over time?
No. Real wood does not fade over time. Most hardwood actually richens or darkens over time.
Do hardwood floors promote a healthier indoor environment?
Bacteria, dust and dirt do not embed themselves in wood flooring, as they do in other flooring options. Simple regular maintenance—such as dustmopping, or sweeping keeps wood floors dust-free. Many people suffer from sensitivity to chemicals and toxins. Numerous studies have shown that wood flooring provides a healthier environment as Wood doesn’t retain irritating dust and microorganisms.
What type of finish should I use on a wood floor?
There are three general types of finish to use on your residential wood floor. There are also urethanes for highly durable impact resistant commercial floors.
The three most common are:
1) Penetrating Oils, the most common of these is Tung Oil. It is easy to apply , typically 4 to 5 coats. It accents the color of the wood. It is not durable, but is easy to do touch up.
2) Oil based urethanes. They are easy to apply but require overnight curing between coats, typically three. They are durable, but not easy to touch up. They accent the color of the wood.
3) Water based Urethanes. Relatively easy to apply. They do not require as long of cure time. Two to three coats can be applied in one day, They do not accent the color of the wood.
We have sample available of flooring finished with all of these.
Who will install my Vonderosa Wide Plank Floor?
Any decent carpenter is capable of installing our flooring. There are companies that specialize in installing wood floors. Be sure to ask if the installer has done wide plank or just strip floors. We have installers that we highly recommend. If you like to deal with just one company, Vonderosa will be happy to quote you for the finished product.
How Hard (Durable) is this floor?
There is a test for hardness. A round ball is pressed into a piece of hardwood floor with increasing amount of force till the hardwood crushes to a certain depth. The results of the tests produce what is called the JANKA hardness scale. The higher the rating the higher the relative hardness of the hardwood floor.
Some common Species are listed here.
Hickory – 1820
Hard Maple – 1450
Ash – 1320
White Oak – 1360
Red Oak – 1290
Black Oak – 1290
Birch – 1260
Heart Pine – 1225
Cherry – 950
Red Pine – 550
White Pine – 380
Why Select Quarter Sawn?
When a plank is Quarter sawn vs Flat sawn it becomes twice as dimensionally stable, ie it contracts or expands half as much with change in humidity. An 8” plank of Quarter sawn will have the same stability as a 4” flat sawn. If you are looking for an exceptionally wide plank floor but want to minimize seems this is an option.
As for appearance, the Quarter sawn plank will have a very pleasant vertical grain look. In some species(white Oak in particular) the appearance of flecks on the plank adds to the unique and preferred appearance.
Quarter sawing is typically time consuming and not an efficient way to saw therefore the cost of the finished floor is more expensive.
Why do I need to acclimate the flooring to the home prior to installation?
Because real wood is sensitive to moisture as it relates to dimensional stability. When wood absorbs moisture from the air it expands slightly. When the air around that wood becomes dryer the wood contracts slightly. Acclimating the plank flooring to the house gives the planks time to adjust to the moisture content of the home prior to install. This will minimize any change in dimension over time. That way you will minimize seems and or buckling in the finished floor.
The proper way to acclimate the planks is to sticker them inside the home for approximately two weeks. To sticker is to place small (1”) sticks between each plank as the planks are stacked. This allows air to flow to each plank. At Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring we provide this service.
How does Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring pricing compare to other premium brands?
Vonderosa Wide Plank Flooring pricing is dependent on the following variables;
Woods species and source
Width of floor boards
Sawing (quarter, rift, flat) to produce certain looks and effects
Portion of saw log used (Heart wood, Sapwood)
Grade of cut (Clear, Character, Rustic)
Special machining. chamfered edges, scraping, distressing, etc
During a consultation, we will educate you on these options and listen to your ideas to determine the best solution for you. To make an appointment Contact Us.
Vonderosa Wide Plank Floor customers are often impressed how well the premium Vonderosa product favorably compares in price to the national brands.