Education Centre

Welcome to our Education Centre. This page was provided to answer some common questions and address some issues and provide useful information. Here is a table of contents to the various sections in this document. Click the topic of interest and it will take you to that section.

• Benefits of Hardwood
• Janka Wood Hardness and Stability Chart
• Hardwood Care and Cleaning
• Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of Hardwood

• Cost: Wood flooring can be installed for less or the equivalent cost of other floor options.
• Environmental: It is a "life long" flooring option which requires minimal care and maintenance and outlives all other floor coverings. Disposal is cost effective due to its recyclable qualities. Hardwood is also a natural, renewable resource and is NOT in danger of depletion as are some other species.
• Design/Look: Wood adds warmth and character and is one of the oldest floor coverings used by man. Interior Designers claim their customers prefer natural materials when decorating their homes. The National Wood Flooring Association conducted a recent survey of 2,500 American Society of Interior Designs (ASID) members and residential owners, with the following results.
  • "Wood, cotton, wool and other natural material are definitely the choices of most people,"
  • "Natural materials are by far the most preferred and long lasting."
  • "Natural materials have a more luxurious look and feel than man-made."
  • "It is the most versatile floor covering there is,"
  • "It goes with contemporary and traditional and everything in between."
• Hypoallergenic: It helps reduce allergic reactions to dust and other man-made products.
• Maintenance: Wood flooring is easily maintained and repaired.

Janka Wood Hardness & Stability Chart

Hardness: The Janka (or side) hardness test measures the force required to embed a .444-inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. This measurement is a good indicator of how hard or easy a wood species is to saw or nail.

Stability: Wood stability is determined mainly by the density of its rings. Generally speaking, the closer together the rings are, the more stable the wood, and the opposite is also true: the greater the space between the rings, the greater the tendency of the wood to expand and contract with the moisture content or humidity of the area where it’s installed.

Hardwood Care and Cleaning

Here are some cleaning and care tips that will keep your hardwood floors looking and feeling like new for a lifetime.

• Always maintain proper humidity conditions within your home. It is recommended that the humidity level stays in the recommended range for your region throughout the year. Problems related to humidity level variations can be minimized by proper ventilation, humidifying/dehumidifying, or heating/cooling.
• Regularly vacuum the floor to prevent sand or abrasive dust from accumulating and scratching the finish.
• Remember that wood and water don't mix! Never wash your hardwood floor with lots of water and do not leave water or any liquid to dry on your hardwood floor. Wipe up any spots or spills immediately.
• Be sure to keep pet's nails cleaned and trimmed as they could damage the finish of your hardwood floor.
• Although the finish is very durable and resistant, sharp and pointed objects can cause damage to your hardwood floor.
• Never use wax, household detergents or soap, as they will leave a greasy film on your floor. Use wood care maintenance products specially designed for the care of your hardwood floor. Always clean your hardwood floor lengthwise following the wood grain.
• Avoid wearing high heels on your hardwood floor. Do not wear shoes that are covered with dirt, gravel or abrasive dust.
• Use adequate floor protection (felt pads) under all furniture and chair legs, in order to ease their movement and to prevent scratching the floor. Use protective mats at doorways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What brands of flooring do you carry?

A: We have established relationships with a variety of quality manufacturers. Check out our manufacturers here. We are proud to carry the #1 Hardwood Flooring Brand in the industry… Mirage.

A: We provide complete flooring, staircase, moulding and wood products and services. We provide custom milling and reproduction services for those special heritage home items, or a broken spindle, etc. We offer complete hardwood floor refinishing services. Tired of that old carpet grade staircase, we can resurface it and make it a focal point in your house. For more details on all our products and services, click here.

Q: Do you provide wood for specialty projects?

A: Whether you’re a novice or seasoned professional, and no matter your project, we either have it or can get it for you. Visit us today to view our inventory of specialty wood.

Q: What makes Brockville Wood Products different from its competitors?

A: We source, install and finish everything we sell. We are committed to all aspects of your project and will always strive to quote and schedule the work to get it started and finished on time, and to get it right! Potential subfloor issues are always addressed before any floor covering is installed. All floors are delivered onsite in advance of the installation to acclimatize the materials to your environment. In special cases, we are able to accommodate most requirements because of our working relationships with various mills. Finally, once a job is done, we will follow-up with you to ensure that you are happy with our work and craftsmanship. We are counting on your positive reviews!

Q: What is the secret to your success?

A: It isn’t really a secret. It is simply a matter of:

• offering our customers the very best products and services available at fair prices
• taking the time to listen to what our customers are saying
• keeping ourselves up to date on the newest products, innovations, and the latest techniques
• most of all, by ensuring complete customer satisfaction