Hardwood floor boards

A-MAX Hardwood Floors

Installing and Refinishing Hardwood Floors in Boise since 2000
Call 208-724-3827 or request a quote today

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Why choose hardwood flooring?

A: There are plenty of reasons to choose a hardwood floor over other flooring types:

  • Beauty:
    Hardwood floors add a rich warm look to any home and provide a natural element of beauty that is easy to maintain and can last a lifetime. Hardwood floors never go out style and the natural colors enhance the decor of any room.
  • Value:
    Hardwood floors add value to your home and can increase resale price and appeal. Properly maintained, a solid hardwood floor should never have to be replaced saving you money over the long run.
  • Hypoallergenic:
    Hardwood floors trap less dust and allergens than alternative flooring types and is recommended by the American Lung Association to improve the air quality in your home.
  • Durable:
    Technological advances in finishes make today's hardwood floors very durable and easier to maintain than ever. And if damage does occur, it can be repaired with out replacing the entire floor.
  • Variety:
    A wide variety of hardwoods including exotic species are available to match your personal taste, lifestyle and decor. See our Hardwood Selection page to choose from light to dark colors, grain patterns and hardwood grades, finishes and even plank styles.
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Q: Why should I choose A-MAX Hardwood?

A: Every job we do gets the A-MAX Advantage over other companies. It's our goal to provide perfection of service and craftsmanship. Over the years, owner Andy Maxey has honed his skills as a woodworker to achieve the highest quality standards that far exceed NWFA recommendations. A-MAX Hardwood also offers services that other companies may not, such as a FREE Dust and Clean service after the job is completed, and a superior 3-coat finish (as recommended by fine finish manufactures) over many of our competitors 2-coat finishes. The finish products we use are of the highest quality and provide greater durability (42-50% of solid content build over the 10-20% build of inferior products.) And we offer Green Friendly water based finishes that are very durable without the harmful fumes. We stand by our work and make sure that you are completely satisfied, because you don't want just “good enough”, you want excellence, and so do we!

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Q: How long will it take to install or refinish?

A: For a typical sized hardwood floor (300-500 square feet) it will take about 4 days to install and finish a new floor, or about 2 days to refinish an existing floor. You will only need to be out of the house for about a day when the sealer is applied. A-MAX Hardwood uses a quality water-based top coat that is dry enough to walk on only 2 hours after application.

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Q: How much will it cost?

A: A-MAX Hardwood's typical price for installing and finishing a new hardwood floor is $7-10 per square foot (depending on the hardwood species and grade.) To refinish your existing hardwood floor (completely strip and apply 3 coats of finish) is typically $3-4 per square foot. Remember we offer a FREE Dust and Clean Service when the job is completed (up to a $150 value!)

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Q: Do I have to wax my hardwood floor?

A: A-MAX Hardwood uses a No-Wax Swedish Finish that is easy to clean and maintain without any waxing. See our cleaning and maintenance recommendations below.

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Q: Can I get my hardwood floor wet?

A: Temporary topical water (spills, damp mopping, etc.) will not damage your hardwood floor, especially in drier climates such as the Treasure Valley. However, long standing water (puddles or flooding) will damage any wood floor.

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Q: How do I clean my hardwood floor?

A: Simply vacuum or sweep with a soft broom and then damp mop weekly. A-MAX Hardwood recommends using a pH neutral cleaner such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Alternatively you can use plain water and a little dish soap. Do NOT use any wax or oil based cleaners (Murphy's Oil Soap, Pledge, etc.) or acidic/pH imbalanced cleaners (vinegar, orange/citrus, ammonia) as these can leave residues and or dull the finish.

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Q: How do I keep my hardwood floor looking great for years?

A: Wipe up spills immediately with a damp cloth and clean your hardwood floor regularly as recommended above. Use throw rugs both inside and outside of doorways to help prevent dirt, sand, and debris from being tracked onto your hardwood floor. Use area rugs in front of kitchen sinks and other high traffic areas. Put felt or fabric-faced glides on chair and furniture legs to prevent scuffing and scratching. Do not slide heavy furniture on your hardwood floor, instead lift completely off the floor and carry it. Avoid walking with sport cleats and high heels on your hardwood floor. Minimize pet scratches by keeping their claws filed and clean their feet when coming inside if they are dirty or muddy. Use a humidifier during winter to prevent shrinkage and movement with hardwood species that have lower dimensional stability. A-MAX Hardwood recommends a maintenance coat every 3-5 years to remove mild scuffs and rebuild a solid top coat finish. If you follow these steps your hardwood floor should last for the life of your house.

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