In the unlikely event that you would need to activate our warranty, our manufacturing supplier's team here in the U.S. would inspect the floor and make recommendations from there. Note that: Industry standards allow for up to 5% margin of error for natural imperfections and manufacturing defects; also knots, gum veins, occasional lines of darker grain, variations in color, “fiddleback” grain etc are natural attributes of the wood and are not defects. Cracking, cupping, and some "checking" are not covered by warranty as these are typically the result of elements beyond our control, specifically installation or environmental factors where the wood is installed.
The surface warranty has good credentials: An entire division of Bona is dedicated to finishes for our manufacturer's flooring products.
Provided that the wood is acclimated and installed according to American National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) guidelines and cared for properly after installation, it should be able to expand and contract in its climatic environment within tolerances that are acceptable in a wood floor.
The bottom line is that any wood floor responds to its environment throughout the seasons, and installation has everything to do wIth its behavior in the environment where it is installed.
Please note the following EXCLUSIONS. For warranty comparison, we invite you to do some careful reading of various supplier's warranties available online to see what is actually covered elsewhere, if anything (despite enticing "headlines"!).
EXCLUSIONS: Use of our pre-finished flooring in industrial and commercial premises such as restaurants, retail stores, offices, hotels, motels, and rental properties is not covered by the limited residential warranty.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
👉Prior to installation
Prior to installation, the installer and owner should conduct a final inspection of grade, colour and manufacturing quality of the flooring to ensure that the floor conforms to purchased product. When ordering hardwood flooring, it is recommended to allow 10% for cutting waste, culling for appearance or allowed natural defects etc. There is a 30 day window in which you can notify us of issues.
The owner/installer must determine that the job site and all sub surfaces meet all requirements of the NWFA recommended installation guidelines and in the summary of instructions provided with the warranty. In addition, the owner/installer has the responsibility to make the final inspection as to grade, manufacture and finish of our French Oak flooring. Once a board has been installed, even if owner is absent at time of installation, it is deemed accepted by the owner/installer and he/she expressly waives any claims pertaining to the grade or manufacture of the delivered product.
Care should be taken to protect any and all installed hardwood flooring in high traffic areas such as doorways. Put appropriate mats in entrances and felts or protectors under the feet of furniture and items placed on or used on the floor. Don't use rubber backed mats as that can affect the color of hardwood flooring. Ensure that your hardwood floor is not flooded or subject to excess water or water leaks, and that dishwashers and other appliances do not leak onto the flooring. Water damage caused by conditions within the site during and after installation is not covered by warranty. Marks and scratches caused by but not limited to e.g. furniture, dropping items, dragging or sliding items across your floor, sand, exposed metal in stiletto heels, and dogs' toe nails etc. are not covered by warranty.
Color can vary from creamy-brown to warm-brown with strong figuration in the grain. Excessive exposure to strong light, especially sunlight or lights with high UV content, can darken the wood over time. The colors of the French Oak illustrated on this site vary according to the ambient light at the time that the photos were taken and the age of the wood. Variations in color are a natural attribute of new French Oak wood and are not covered by warranty. Changes in color over time are also not covered by warranty as these are a matter of post-installation environmental factors under the sole control of the purchaser/ homeowner.
Oiling the wood can hasten darkening of color and is to be avoided on pre-finished flooring as that can damage the finish. Oiling or any or other form of surface-altering treatment voids the warranty. Sanding and application of stains to alter the color also void the warranty.
Water damage and heat damage arising from accidental occurrences or improper installation are not covered under warranty, including appliance or bathroom leaks which can damage any wood flooring, and including water or heat damage arising from improper installation of engineered flooring over radiant heat.
Resolution: Limited residential warranty matters are resolved through our supplying manufacturer.
