Wearmax® Plus Advanced Ceramic Finish
Wearmax® Plus Delivers Superior Wear Resistance - The secret to your Award floor's incredible wear-resistance is Wearmax® Plus advanced ceramic finish. Developed by sophisticated material formulation technologies, advanced ceramics are nearly as hard as natural diamonds. They're used in high performance engines and aerospace vehicles. Wearmax® Plus harnesses the power of advanced ceramics to provide a finish that goes on clear and exceeds the wear resistance of any of the nearest competitors' finishes, hands down.*
Wearmax® Plus is a second-generation advanced ceramic finish that resists scuffs and abrasions better, retaining its gloss and like-new look longer. Such increased durability means your floor will stay beautiful under conditions other types of finish just can't handle. It's also stain-resistant and slip-resistant.
*According to ASTM CS17 and Taber testing.
Types of Hardwood Floors
Solid
Solid hardwood floors are made using planks that are each solid pieces of wood milled from a single piece of timber. In modern construction, this method is used to achieve a specific look.
Engineered
Engineered wood flooring is constructed in multiple layers to form planks. The top layer is the visible part of the floor. Other layers provide stability and strength. Engineered floors have become very common worldwide.
Don't be Confused by Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are not wood at all, and are unfortunately perceived by some as the same thing as engineered floors. This could not be further from the truth. Laminate floors are vinyl or plastic formed to look like wood, while providing none of the genuine warmth or natural beauty of the real thing.
Wood Hardness Ratings
Award Hardwood Floors uses standard Janka Hardness Test ratings as a guide for selecting wood species. Harder woods generally resist indentation better, while actual wear resistance relies more upon the Wearmax® Plus finish.
Specific hardness ratings vary within species. These numbers show the approximate pounds per square inch each species of wood can resist:
- Brazilian Cherry 2350
- Hickory 1820
- Maple 1450
- White Oak 1360
- American Walnut 1010
- American Cherry 950
Species and Grading
Wood Species
One of the first decisions you make when choosing a wood floor is the species of the wood. It's a choice that will influence how it looks – as grain, color, texture, and shade variation differ with each type of wood – and how it performs.
Are you after an understated look? Perhaps something refined or contemporary? Maple and birch feature subtle grain patterns.
Do you want to make a bold statement? Try oak for a stronger grain pattern that really stands out. The effect can be dramatic and modern, or, informal and rustic, depending on the colors and other choices you make.
The species you select should also be determined in part by how the room is used. Harder woods are best in high-traffic rooms.
Hardwood Floor Care
Hardwood Floors Are Easy to Clean and Maintain
One of the advantages of having a wood floor is that it's easy to take care of. Here are some tips for keeping your wood floor clean and preserving its like-new condition:
- Wipe up spills immediately with a cloth or dry sponge
- Remove dust, dirt, and grit by dry mopping or vacuuming
- Protect highest traffic areas with area rugs and door mats
- Use protective pads under furniture legs
- Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, wax, polish, or any liquid soap-based cleaner
- Maintain your floor's beauty with Award's specially formulated spray-on/wipe-off cleaner
Installation
Installing Award Hardwood Floors is quick and easy. If you're handy with tools, you can install an Award floor yourself. All you need are basic tools and an Award Installation Kit. Ask your retailer for an Award Floor Click Installation Video to see how easy it is to install.
You may also download the complete instructions by clicking on the links below. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to read these files.
Modern Hardwood Floors May be Installed in Any Room with the exception of bathrooms with a tub or shower present.
Award Hardwood Floors are approved for use above, on, and below grade.
Installation Options
Different types of wood flooring, subfloors, and even the location of a room in a home can influence which type of installation method is best. A floor may be "floated" above an existing floor without being attached to the subfloor, nailed down, or glued down. Click through to explanations of each method.
- Tongue & Groove
Award floors with tongue and groove profiles connect together in the traditional way. Look for the tongue and groove icon on product pages.- Click Here For Tongue & Groove Installation Instructions
- Click Interlocking System
Some Award floors feature a click interlocking system that securely holds the planks in your floor together without gluing or nailing. A click icon shows which floors have this profile.- Click Here For Glueless Click Installations Instructions
Questions?
For your technical questions please call our technical service department Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Central Time. Toll Free: 888-862-9273 or Tel: (715) 849-8080.