FAQ’s

Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. By requiring that this information be provided, Proposition 65 enables Californians to make informed decisions about their exposures to these chemicals.

WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal protection. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood

No, a pad is not recommended for staple/nail installations. However, you should place 15# asphalt saturated felt paper (roofing felt) between the subfloor and hardwood as a vapor retarder. For a cleaner alternative, Roberts SVS (silicone vapor shield) will deliver the same benefits without exposed asphalt or odor and provide a smoother install surface. Do not use red rosin paper, as it provides no moisture protection.

Harris Wood does not recommend or warrant the use of our prefinished flooring for individual stair construction. Harris Wood offers prefinished stairnose moldings, however, these are specifically designed to transition the flooring at the top of a staircase or at a stepdown between rooms. The best long-term results for steps would be achieved by using solid stair treads and risers, finishing them on site to match your flooring.

Yes, but some precautions should be taken. Pet nails can cause scratches, but typically leave shallow indentations in the wood that are mistaken for finish scratches. Nails should be trimmed regularly, and it may be beneficial to use rugs/runners in your pets’ most heavily trafficked areas.

General maintenance of Harris Wood floors consists of regular sweeping/vacuuming, along with the occasional use of a no-wax hardwood floor cleaner. We recommend Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Roberts Laminate & Wood Floor Cleaner. Avoid water maintenance, steam cleaners and products that must be diluted.

No. Harris Springloc floors feature a glueless locking system, allowing for ease of installation and avoiding expensive adhesives.

Harris Wood 3/8” products feature a 2mm veneer. Our 1/2” products feature a slightly more substantial 2.5mm veneer. Both thicknesses may be professionally sanded and refinished one time.

Yes, Harris Wood engineered floors can be installed on any level of the home, on, above and below grade.

Our panels are assembled in Montpelier, Indiana from domestically harvested lumber and are then milled and finished in Johnson City, Tennessee. All Harris Wood floors are third-party, independently verified “Made In The USA”!

No. All Harris Wood floors are intended for use only in structures that are climate controlled year round. The recommended environment is a temperature of 60-80 degrees and a relative humidity of 35-55%. In some geographic regions, this may require seasonal use of a humidifier/dehumidifier.

Unfortunately, all Harris Wood stains and finishes are UV-cured formulas designed specifically for factory application only. For jobsite finishing of molding/trimwork or for touch-ups, a local paint specialty store can typically custom-blend a matching stain using a sample of your flooring.

Floating floors may be installed over any flat, structurally sound substrate including existing tile. Glue-down installations may be installed over some stone/tile floors; follow your adhesive manufacturer’s instructions for approved materials and proper surface preparation.

When floating any Harris click or engineered wood floor, an underlayment pad is required to absorb impact noise and assist with minor leveling. Any pad designed for floating hardwood/laminate installations is acceptable.

Harris Wood approves only Oak, American Cherry and Walnut species floors for use over radiant heated subfloors. Other species are not as dimensionally stable and may exhibit damage when installed over radiant heat.

Harris Wood engineered floors do not have a required acclimation period, as long as the moisture content of the hardwood and the subfloor are within 4% of one another at the time of install. The flooring and subfloor should be checked using a reputable manufacturer’s moisture meter.

Glue-down and staple-down floors may be installed under cabinetry. If you are installing a floating floor such as Harris Springloc, all permanent fixtures must be installed first; lay the flooring around the cabinetry, leaving the required expansion space and cover it with quarter round or other decorative molding.

All hardwood floors may be damaged by standing water such as would occur with leaks and unattended spills. Spills and casual water tracked in on the flooring should be wiped dry as they occur to avoid swelling, staining and other damage to the wood fiber.

Harris Wood floors can be used in all interior areas of the home except for full bathrooms. Half-baths are approved. Due to elevated humidity levels and large swings in temperature and humidity, full-bath installations are not recommended.

All Harris Wood floors are prefinished with a UV-cured, aluminum-oxide enhanced urethane topcoat. No additional sealant is required or recommended for new floors. Older floors showing the effects of micro-cuts and scratches can have the sheen restored by having the floor professionally screened and recoated with additional urethane.