FAQs
I have heard that wide boards cup. Is this the case with your wood?
The width of the board actually does not have anything to do with the potential for cupping or other negative movement. The installer and homeowner are responsible for proper installation and job site control to insure proper stability but the quality of the wood that is used to make the planks will determine its stability. The wood should be sawn from the right part of the country, and only from the log not from limbs. It should have a high percentage of heartwood and tight vertical grain. It should be dried properly by air and by kiln. The method by which the wood is graded also has a big impact on its stability. At Carlisle we adhere to these guidelines, and that is why we are able to make boards up to 20 inches wide and 16 feet long that will stay flat for the life of your floor.
Can I use wood floors in my kitchen?
Certainly! For the first 200 years that homes were being built in this country, wood was the only flooring option in every room. In fact, there are still homes in New England that have their original wood floors throughout.
There are two important considerations when you are installing wood floors in a kitchen - the quality of the wood and the quality of the finish you use. A higher quality wood is going to be more durable and resilient, which is important in a busy kitchen. The quality of the finish will determine how easy it is to clean and touch up over the years. A majority of floors available today, especially pre-finished cannot be touched up without an aggressive sanding process and the finishes are so hard that they show scratches very easily. Carlisle Floors are finished with a high quality finish that is more flexible, so it wears naturally and can be cleaned easily, and touched up over the years with our Dust-Free Recoat kit!
How do I buy a Carlisle floor?
Almost 90% of floors sold today are sold through a big box store or distributor. But at Carlisle we provide you with the convenience of buying direct from the manufacturer! A majority of our customers prefer to buy their floors directly from Carlisle, whether you are a homeowner, or if you are working with a builder or other professional. We can work with everyone involved to coordinate an order on your behalf. Talk with your Wide Plank Specialist to figure out which option works best for you. Click here to get started: http://www.wideplankflooring.com/get-started!
When should I start planning for my new floors?
Before you complete your floor plans with your architect; start shopping with your designer; or putting together an allowance with your builder…contact a Wide Plank Specialist who can outline specs, design, and costs for you to help you plan for this aspect of your home. Because the wood floors you choose is not a “covering” but a timeless architectural investment in your project. Carlisle floors will be lived on for generations, it will increase the value of the home and make it more appealing to a potential buyer, if you ever sell it.
How do I budget for my Carlisle Floors?
Most builders and architects have a standard flooring allowance of $8-10/SF which is meant to cover the wood floors, installation and finish, meaning you can only spend $3-4/SF on your floors! This allowance, while great for the overall budget, is very limiting to you as the final end user. If you a discerning customer a $4/SF floor isn’t going to work for your project - you want better quality, wider boards, longer lengths and the flexibility to choose the floor you want, not pick from a box on a shelf. Your Wide Plank Specialist can help you put together a detailed budget and even offer suggestions where you can save money on the floor design! If you have specific pricing questions call us at 800-595-9663.
I am considering Radiant Heat in my project, do your floors work with Radiant heat?
We have installed over 5 million square feet of flooring on radiant heat in the last 10 years! Carlisle is one of the only companies to proudly say that our Solid and Engineered floors can be installed over today’s popular radiant heat system whether it is in plywood, concrete, or gypcrete. This is due to the fact that the procurement, overall quality, drying and milling processes create a wood floor superior to other offerings on the market. Our Wide Plank Specialist are well versed in today’s radiant heat systems and how to guide you in design and installation. You do not have to be limited to narrow planks or Quarter-Sawn wood either - every Carlisle Solid and Engineered floor is approved for Radiant Heat.
Learn more by watching this informational video:
My project has a concrete subfloor, can your floors be installed on concrete?
Yes! Carlisle has installed Solid and Engineered floors direct to concrete for many years in residential and commercial projects! This is due to the fact that the procurement, overall quality, drying and milling processes create a wood floor superior to other offerings on the market. Our Wide Plank Specialists are well versed in concrete installation thanks to our extensive training, and can recommend installation methods and adhesives for the best installation.
Learn more by watching this short information video:
Can these floors be installed by a Do-It-yourselfer?
Yes! Carlisle Floors don’t always have to be installed be a professional installer, in fact a large majority of the floors we make today are being installed by DIY-ers. All of our Wide Plank Specialists are trained in installation, many of them installing them in their own homes! We can provide you with installation tips and tricks and walk you through the entire process. Having your floor pre-finished is a great way to make the process even easier.
How do I clean and maintain my floors?
There are cleaners that we recommend for your floors, that are inexpensive and easy to use. We will send you instructions on where this is available. You can also touch up your floors over the years with our Dust-Free Recoat kit, or recoat your entire floor with our re-finishing products. We will outline these products for you once you make a final flooring selection.
Learn more in this short video:
Are your floors suitable for homes with dogs, and children?
Yes! You don’t have to wait until the kids go to college or get rid of the dog to enjoy a Carlisle floor. The fact that our floors are so popular for Commercial projects like busy hotels, restaurants and retail stores, they will be perfect for even the biggest family or the biggest dog - or both!
