Flooring Issues Knowledge Base
WFI Home | WFI Site Map | Knowledge Base | For Distributors Only

This section, currently under development, is so that we can refer those with problem floors with a reference section to refer to in the hope that:
  1. there is a problem similar in nature to the one you are having that has been posted here
  2. that by reviewing the similar problem here, it will better assist you in diagnosing the cause as well as in developing the resolve to the issue
  3. it will show how WFI assists in resolving complaints similar in nature

WFI seeks to expeditiously handle complaints in a professional manner in the interest of maintaining satisfied customers. WFI expects reasonableness to come into play, with regards to the proper expectations of performance and use of wood flooring. Throughout this web site, WFI has gone to great lengths to explain how each wood will perform over time, how the finish will wear, how water and wood do not mix, how to install, how to maintain, what to avoid, possible allergic reaction potential, etc.  However, as we DO NOT actually sell to the end user, we recognize that the end user has not always been educated as to what to expect and/or improper installation and/or maintenance methods, may have been used. We request that all parties involved be reasonable in their participation to the resolve of the problem and work together.

The following "knowledge base" of flooring problems has been created from actual issues/complaints:

Color / Grain Issues

  1. Color Change - under rugs, floor is now a different color
  2. Color Range - Installed floor has a wider range of color and does not match the sample from which the floor was chosen.
  3. Too much Character - Installed floor has a greater range of graining and character than expected:
    1. Knots and cracks - Australian Cypress
    2. Figure of Grain - Santos Mahogany
  4. White spots in Brazilian Cherry
  5. White spots in Doussie
  6. Dark spots in Doussie
  7. Color Variation in Doussie

Floor Performance - Finish Related

  1. Floor Scratches
  2. Glued Dried on Finish
  3. Finish Peeling
    1. On ends only
    2. On edges
    3. On the face of the floor
  4. Finish Gloss Level - varies
  5. Finish Bubbles/Cracks
    1. On top of knots in Australian Cypress
    2. On top of resin streaks in Caribbean Rosewood
  6. Finish Pits/Roughness

Floor Performance - Cracking/Delaminating

  1. Raised Floor Ends
  2. Wood Face Cracking
    1. Solid Wood
    2. Engineered Wood - Sawn Face
    3. Engineered Wood - Veneer Face
  3. Delamination of Wear Surface from Base Layers
    1. Just a few pieces
    2. Many pieces

Floor Performance - Gapping/Cupping

  1. Regular spaces open up between the edges of the flooring pieces
  2. Regular spaces open up between the ends of the flooring pieces
  3. Irregular spaces open up between some of the pieces
  4. Floor is cupping across the face
    1. Engineered Wood
    2. Solid Wood

Floor Performance - Dimpling/Telegraphing - Engineered Wood

  1. Lines are appearing across the floor boards at regular intervals approximately 3" apart
  2. Lines are appearing across the floor boards at regular intervals every 1" or so
  3. Dimpling - small raised dimples along the edges

 WFI Home | WFI Site Map | Knowledge Base | For Distributors Only


©2003 Wood Flooring International - All Rights Reserved