Installation, maintenance & FAQ
FAQ
Products
What is the difference between Select & Better, Select, Pacific, Country, and Antique grades?
The difference between grades depends on the number of character marks allowed for each. For example, color variation between boards and the presence of small knots and mineral veins will be more pronounced in Antique as opposed to a Select & Better grade. Whichever grade you choose, all products in the Mercier Generations collection are crafted with the same eye for perfection. Rustic or contemporary, we have the floor that's right for you!
How do Mercier Generations products resist abrasion so well?
The Mercier Generations finish contains fine particles of aluminum oxide that are so resistant to abrasion they're used to make sandpaper!
Installation
Can I glue my 3/4″ solid wood floor?
Gluing 3/4″ Mercier wood floors is not recommended.
Can I install a 3/4″ solid wood floor on a concrete slab?
Yes, you can install solid wood boards on a concrete slab. As 3/4″ boards must be nailed and not glued, you must first install a wood subfloor (plywood or OSB panels). For more information, consult the 3/4″ solid wood floor installation guide.
Can I nail boards to a particleboard subfloor?
Do not use particleboard as it does not hold fasteners well. Plywood or OSB panels are recommended for nail installations. If your subfloor is particleboard, it is recommended that you cover it with plywood panels at least 5/8″ thick.
Is 15 lb. construction paper an effective vapor barrier?
No, construction paper makes it harder for moisture to penetrate between the floor and subfloor, but does not serve as a vapor barrier.
Can I install floorboards in the same direction as joists?
Installing floorboards in the same direction as joists is not recommended as joist movement can cause spaces to form between boards. If boards cannot be installed perpendicular to joists, add 1/2″ plywood panels to the existing subfloor, making sure you stagger the joints of the two subfloors.
Can I install my solid wood floor over a radiant heating system?
No, it is not recommended to install solid wood floor over a radiant heating system. Engineered hardwood flooring is recommended over such a system.
Are transition mouldings available to match with my new Mercier wood floor?
Yes, various mouldings are available from Mercier:
- T-moulding – 84″.
- Quarter round – 84″.
- Threshold – 84″.
- Stair nosing – 92″.
- Reducer – 92″.
Maintenance and upkeep
What are the steps to follow, to properly maintain my Mercier wood floor ?
To keep your floor beautiful for decades, maitaining it and controlling the environement –temparetaure and humidity levels- is mandatory. Mercier has published a complete maintenance guide which contains useful pieces of advice to help you keep the best looking floors for years to come. Following these maintenance instructions is key to keeping your warranty valid and maintaining the beautiful look of your floors for years to come. Maintaining a hardwood floor is simple and easy:
Step 1: The best way to protect your wood floors is to vacuum regularly.
Step 2: Spray a small quantity of cleaner on your Mercier mop and swab a section of floor in the same direction as the floorboards. Continue until the entire floor is done. Change and wash mop covers as required
Warning. Never use wax, household detergent, or oil-based soap on the floor. These products may discolor and damage the finish and leave a greasy film, making the floor slippery and difficult to maintain afterwards. The greasy film may also make it impossible to apply a restorer coat. Mixtures of water and vinegar are not recommended for cleaning pre-finished flooring, since vinegar has an oxidizing effect on the finish.
Wood and water. Wood fibres swell when they absorb water, which can damage floors and their finish. When water gets into your floor, it can alter floorboard dimensions, cause discoloration, and lead to mold build-up between boards. Floors in kitchens and entranceways are particularly subject to getting wet. Special care must be taken with wood floors in these locations to maintain recommended humidity and temperature levels and prevent water, snow and ice from getting on the floor.
Recommendations. Wipe up spilled water, liquids, or detergents before they are absorbed by the wood fibres. Place floor mats at each doorway to trap water, snow and ice and in front of the sink, dishwasher, and work areas in the kitchen. Place leak-proof saucers under your plants to avoid accidental spills. Choose pots with a waterproof glaze rather than porous clay pots that may let water through.
Warning - Never use large amounts of liquid or water to clean wood floors, and never use a saturated mop.
Where can I buy the Mercier Generations maintenance kit?
Mercier has designed products specially made for the maintenance of your prefinished floors. The care kit is available through your authorized Mercier dealer. You can also purchase it online.
Can I wax my Mercier Generations floor?
It is strongly recommended that you not wax your Mercier Generations floor. Waxing may damage the finish and leave a greasy film on the surface, making upkeep much more difficult.
Can I install a Mercier Generations floor in my home, even though I have pets?
Yes, your pets and hardwood floor can coexist peacefully. However, make sure you trim and file your pets' claws regularly. Also, choosing a satin finish can help hide small scratches your pets may leave.
How often should I clean my wood floor?
Clean your floor as often as necessary. Abrasives such as sand, glass, and more harm your floor. Vacuum or sweep regularly to eliminate abrasives that could damage your floor's finish.
What are the recommended environmental conditions for my hardwood floors?
Normal environmental conditions means heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system (HVAC) are installed and operating to maintain interior temperature at an approximate temperature of 20 C (68 F) and the interior relative humidity (RH) level, as specified below, to ensure the best performance of the Mercier hardwood flooring:
Between 40% (MINIMUM) and 55% (MAXIMUM) RH, 45% RH is a good target.
A consistent interior climate environment is the key to optimum wood flooring performance.
Problems
My wood floor is cupping, with the boards higher at the edges than in the middle.
Cupping is due to varying humidity levels in the floorboards. Like a sponge, the floor has absorbed humidity after installation, causing boards to expand. This is not caused by a product defect but rather the surrounding conditions. A number of factors may explain changing humidity levels.
Too much subfloor humidity or very humid basement: Board undersides absorb more moisture than the top surface, which causes top and bottom to expand unequally and cup.
Water leak or spill on floor: Water infiltrates between boards and is absorbed by their undersides. This situation causes board undersides to swell, resulting in cupping.
Very high relative humidity: When it is humid, wood absorbs moisture from the air and expands. As planks are fixed to the subfloor, they cannot move freely and therefore push together, which causes cupping. Small expansion joints aggravate this problem.
There are spaces between my floorboards.
The appearance of spaces between floorboards is due to varying humidity levels in the boards. This is not caused by a product defect but rather the surrounding conditions. A number of factors may explain changing humidity levels.
Boards too humid prior to installation: Boards with internal moisture levels that are too high were installed. This problem may be due to a number of factors such as a very humid environment (wet concrete, moist subfloor, fresh paint, etc.), boards exposed to rain upon delivery, and more. The wood has thus absorbed moisture and expanded before installation. Once installed and ambient conditions have returned to normal, wood will lose its excess humidity and shrink, leaving a space between each board.
Relative humidity levels too low: When air humidity is too low (often in winter), boards tend to lose their moisture and shrink. This problem is common in winter and disappears in most cases in the spring.
My floor creaks.
Numerous factors may cause a creaking floor. Some are listed below.
Inadequate subfloor: For nail installations, the subfloor must be plywood or OSB panels. Particleboard is not suitable.
Inadequate subfloor thickness: The recommended thickness of subfloor panels (plywood or OSB) is 3/4″ for joists spaced 19" or less apart on center. Anything less than this may cause the floor to creak when it bends. Wider joist spans may also have the same effect.
Floorboard direction: Boards run in the same direction as the joists.
Weak structure: The subfloor is not firmly attached to the joists with floor screws, leaving space between the joists and subfloor.
The color of the moldings (nosing and reducer strips) does not match the rest of the floor.
As wood is a natural material and each floorboard is unique, the tones in the floor will vary. Before installing your floor, make sure you select boards that are the best color match for the moldings to avoid abrupt transitions.
My wood floor has yellowed over time and the boards under rugs and furniture are lighter than the rest.
It is natural for wood to yellow or change color. Though Mercier Generations features a highly effective non-yellowing screen to slow and reduce this phenomenon, floors will darken or lighten depending on the species . Move your furniture and rugs occasionally to standardize color variations.
My wood floor has deep scratches.
Though made from very hard species, hardwood floors may be damaged by dragging heavy objects, poorly trimmed pet claws, legs of furniture, wheeled chairs, and more. Take the necessary precautions in the Mercier maintenance guide. You may replace damaged boards without sanding and refinishing the surface.
