Consumers and commerical clients alike need to understand that no manufacturer warrants against this issue.  The reason?  It’s not a defect, it’s simply wood reacting to the environment.  It’s essential to maintain the proper humidity with a built in humidifier or a portable humidifier and everyone should have a hygrometer to measure the conditions.

The future is bright and we are on our way.

We support this wholeheartedly!  It protects the world’s forests and protects buyers who practice due diligence and buy from ethical supply chains.  We only buy from a couple of suppliers in all of South America and we import all containers with our own import bond.  This is granted by the USDA.  Additionally, this amendment helps to curb low cost imports which many times can be low cost because they are avoiding government regulations.

We believe in clients being able to enjoy the wood floor of their choice, but doing so legally and ethically.  This helps provide longterm jobs and livelihoods for native peoples as well as insuring future supplies for generations to come.  We work with family owned businesses with the same philosophy and which work within the government guidelines for the betterment of all of our lives.

Something you want to be aware of and one of the most common mistakes made, you should not or your builder should not be painting a room or the entire house after your wood floors are installed.  Don’t forget that wood is hygroscopic.  What does hygroscopic mean?  It means that wood adjusts to the environment it is exposed to, paint represents moisture, moisture and wood do not go together!  This is a very common mistake made in new construction, not to mention that you must avoid getting paint on your floors by adequately covering them up.  All of the moisture from the paint is going to be absorbed within the room.  Please do yourself a favor and protect your wood floor investment, painting should be done before the installation of a new wood floor NOT beforehand.

One cannot recommend enough the use of a hygrometer to measure relative humidity.  As a general statement a room or home with wood flooring should be kept at 40-60% relative humidity at all times.  If a room is to dry it will cause shrinkage and gaps or in severe dryness, surface checking or cracks on the face of the flooring.  If the moisture is too high, cupping of the floor can occur as well as other moisture related issues.

During the winter months with the heater on to maintain a pleasant environment, wood will shrink, and this is what creates the “gaps” you commonly see in the floor. There is nothing wrong with the floor and it is not defective, it’s simply shrinking due to the dryness in the air or low relative humidity. A humidifier is highly recommended for winter months. In the summer months, more humidity means the wood swells again and gaps typically close up. Depending where you live, a dehumidifier may be necessary in the summer months.  Some woods shrink less than others and are more stable than others; if this is a critical point for you, then comparing species stability should be on your list of considerations in selecting the right species of hardwood for your new floor.

StewartFloor is committed to preserving the forests of South America.  In Brazil, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) monitors and regulates the forestry industry. StewartFloor promotes sustainable forest practices and is committed to securing timber that is selectively harvested and inspected under the governments guidelines.  StewartFloor  supports only manufacturing partners who are committed to sustainable forestry practices and are committed to the social and economic well being of their employees as well as obeying the law.  Following these practices provides well being for communities and employees as well as ensuring that the forests live on to provide economic benefit for local communities for generations in the future.