General
Is Smartwood flooring made of real wood?
Smartwood is pre-finished engineered hardwood flooring. The top layer is 100% real wood while the substrate is made of a patented stone and wood composite. Smartwood’s patented composition reduces the risk of damage or warping created by high moisture. Smartwood’s thick wood wear layer is available in Oak, Walnut, and specialized hardened species.
What makes Smartwood different from solid or engineered wood flooring?
Unlike solid and engineered wood flooring, Smartwood puts modern advantages to use to create a superior product. Our patented and sturdy Compositile base provides an adaptable platform for our premium wood. Each Smartwood board is then finished with 11 coats of our patented DiamondTech™ top coat for a beautiful and durable finish.
Is Smartwood waterproof?
Smartwood is moisture resistant and not waterproof. Smartwood can be used in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, however, it is not recommended when there is a problem with the plumbing. In the case where there is a leak, said leak depending on the length, could affect the floor and cause damage over time. Please see Smartwood’s warranty for all your installation exclusions.
Download Water Absorption Test
Will a Smartwood floor be damaged in high-traffic areas?
Our boards are treated with 11 coats of our DiamondTech™ top finish to protect them from wear and tear. This makes them scratch resistant and perfect for high-traffic areas.
Is Smartwood environmentally friendly?
Smartwood is widely considered one of most environmentally friendly engineered flooring products in the world. Smartwood’s stone and wood uses both pre and post consumer wood waste. We recycle the wood shavings from the wood layer and re-introduce them into the composition of the stone composite. This lightens the flooring and adds to its sound reduction qualities. Additionally, Smartwood and Smart-Step adhesive is a “No VOC” product. See the link below to the potential LEED points for your reference.
Download Smartwood's LEED Rating Guide
What if I am looking for a color outside of Smartwood’s collections?
We offer custom product development and can work with you to achieve the wood color and finish in mind.
Does Smartwood come in long boards?
Your order from Smartwood will contain on average 60% to 70% full length boards. The remainder of the pieces are random lengths which effectively help create a long board look with random natural final appearance.
Installation
Can I install a Smartwood floor in any room in my home?
Almost. Smartwood flooring is fine to use in most living spaces including bathrooms where there is potential for splashing and standing water. That being said, it is not advisable to use wood floors below ground level.
Does Smartwood have to acclimate to its environment before installation?
Smartwood does not require acclimation time which in turn saves time and money. Just open the box and install. Please remember to always follow the installation instructions provided on this website prior to installation.
Can Smartwood be installed over any flat surface?
As long as the surface is within the recommended tolerance in the installation instructions and approved for the adhesive to create a proper bond between Smart-Step adhesive and the subfloor. Tile, plywood, cementitious self-level, concrete slab, and OSB board are some of the approved surfaces. If there is any surface in question please contact Smartwood directly for approval.
How level does my floor have to be to install Smartwood?
Smartwood doesn’t require any floor tolerance greater than what is required from local code standards for a subfloor. These standards are approximately 1/4″ or 3/16″ over a 10 feet radius. As an added value, Smartwood has the unique characteristic of being flexible over longer spans and rigid over short distances.
This uniqueness helps cover short distanced low spots without filling every dip with self level. For example, if you have ever walked on a floor over a low or hollow spot and the floor plank bends down to conform with the subfloor, this is typical of many floor systems. Smartwood’s rigid design over a short span can be beneficial in these situations. Over longer spans, Smartwood is flexible enough to adjust to the normal undulations in the height of your subfloor. Please refer to your local code requirements for acceptable limits in height variations over a 10 foot span.
How is Smartwood installed?
Smartwood is installed just like any other glue down engineered flooring. Smartwood is pre-finished with a tongue and groove on all 4 sides and installation is very simple. Please refer to the Installation Guide below for further details.
Download Installation Guide
What tools do I need to install Smartwood?
Smartwood can be cut using any vacuum attached chop-saw and table saw just like any other traditional engineered flooring. To maximize your production, Smartwood has unique advantages that are just not available for other wood flooring systems. For example, Smartwood can be cut with a heavy duty laminate chopper.
Always cut the board with the base side up and use a heavy duty type tool as shown in photo. This tool saves significant time because there is less time walking back and forth to a shared saw. Smartwood also recommends using a band saw as shown. This machine with a vacuum attachment is a time saver and nearly eliminates any work dust from cuts. Regardless of the tools you use, it is always recommended that you use vacuum attachments and follow the installation instructions to ensure a safe minimal dust work area. Please adhere to your local OSHA or work safety standards first and foremost.
Can I install Smartwood flooring over radiant heat?
Yes. Our patented system built upon our Compositile base allows for heat transfer without any warping, cupping or shifting.
What adhesive is used to install Smartwood?
Smartwood uses only Smart-Step adhesive. Smartwood combined with Smart-Step adhesive ensures a proper bond with sound reduction qualities. Please refer to the directions for Smart-Step and the installation guide to ensure proper installation.
Download Smart-Step Specifications
Can I install Smartwood outdoors?
Smartwood can only be installed outdoors if the wood is completely dry. For example, if you have an overhang as shown in the image below, that is not exposed to any rain, as long as it is installed correctly as per the installation instructions, Smartwood is perfectly suitable. In no way is Smartwood made for areas exposed to rain either directly or indirectly. Please refer to the installation guide and warranty for all the exclusions.
Can Smartwood be installed on walls and ceilings with nails?
Smartwood is often used on entire walls and ceilings or just as accents. Either way, it’s important to use Smart-Step adhesive in conjunction with 18 gauge finish nails, nailed at the tongue of through the face of the board. Users often use colored putty to hide the small nail holes made by the 18 gauge nails. Please contact Smartwood for any questions on wall and ceiling applications.
Does Smartwood perform installation?
No. Smartwood manufactures and sells our premium wood flooring system. Installation can be performed by the service provider of your choice.
Technical
What is DiamondTech™ and what makes it unique?
Smartwood’s DiamondTech™ top finish is a uniquely durable, patented coating system. Most protective wood flooring finishes look unnatural and cheapen the appearance of the wood beneath. In contrast, our proprietary 11 step coating process provides an incredibly protective top layer that takes nothing away from the natural beauty of the wood.
Smartwood applies our patented coating to protect the wood from wear and a proprietary texturing process to enhance its natural appearance. This process, coupled with adjusting the gloss levels, enables Smartwood to meet your final appearance desires.
Can Smartwood be sanded and recoated after years of use?
Smartwood’s standard wood wear layer is 3mm thick. Normally, depending on the sanding machine and operator, a 3mm wear layer can be sanded 2 to 3 times. Smartwood is an engineered wood floor and as with all these types of floors an orbital type machine is recommend. Please note that Smartwood’s unique, super hard coating known as DiamondTech™, reduces the need for sanding and ultimately adds to the longevity of the product.
Does Smartwood meet our building IIC or STC sound reduction requirements?
Smartwood uses SmartGuard™, a dual-layer barrier of sound reduction that combats excess sound transmission. Impact sound and indoor sound transmission are both reduced by Smartwood’s double line of defense. The first layer of protection is a unique, pre-attached, honeycomb membrane and Smart-Step, our proprietary rubberized adhesive that is used as a second layer of protection. Combined they form a dual-layer of sound reducing performance.
Download IIC & STC Measures
How do I repair Smartwood?
Smartwood should never be repaired with any paint touch-up kit or with any aftermarket coating. Doing so will void the warranty. All repairs should be done on an individual board basis. Below is a step by step process of board removal. If there are any questions please contact Smartwood directly.
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Do your best to isolate the area that needs repair by cutting out the section (you do not need to cut the entire board out).
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Cut a new seam with a flush cut or fine cut saw. (For appearance please don’t create a seam or joint any closer to an adjacent joint).
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Do your best to take as much of the veneer off as possible without causing damage to the adjacent board.
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Once the veneer is removed, carefully remove the base and adhesive with a hand chisel or electric hammer chisel and scraper.
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Clean out the groove and be sure to not damage the tongue of the board next to the damaged boards.
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Create a gentle micro-bevel on the end board next to the board that was removed.
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Measure and cut your new piece for installation (create a gentle micro-bevel on any cut ends).
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Leave the tongue on the long side of the new board and cut the bottom of the groove on the long side and short end (if there is a tongue on any end of the installed piece cut that also).
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Apply adhesive on the floor with the appropriate trowel.
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Install board long tongue edge first and drop in place.
How do I file a warranty claim?
Please refer to the full warranty below. To file a claim please visit www.smartwood.com/claims
Download Smartwood Warranty
Get In Contact
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