FAQ

Installation

What's the best way to install your floors?

We think the best way is to float them because the floor isn't attached to the subfloor at all and can move freely. Repairs/replacements with a floating floor, as well as installation, is wonderfully easy and no additional materials are needed other than an underlayment. That being said, most of our Custom Home Builder clients either glue or staple because that's what they're used to. Since the planks are attached to the subfloor either via staples or glue, you can also screw into the floor to affix objects like railings, etc, as well as install flush up against fixed objects like beams and other flooring materials. When floating it's essential to have a gap around the perimeter of the floor at all times so the floor can expand and contract. 

Can your floors be stapled or glued down?

Yes, in addition to being floated, nearly all can be stapled and/or glued down. The only exceptions are floors in our Budget Collection, specifically Dome, Sugar, Tower, Gate, Coffee, and Walnut Cocoa which can only be floated or glued.

Do I need to acclimate the flooring?

No. Our material comes packaged in plastic at a specific moisture content so you can just open up the cartons and begin installing right away. If you wish to wait a few days or weeks to install after the flooring has arrived, simply leave the flooring in its package.

Can I install your floors in a basement?

Yes! Unlike other wood floors, ours perform wonderfully in a basement. Installing one of our underlayments, like Eco Plus, and floating any of our floors over that ensures the floor is protected from moisture below and will perform incredibly for years to come. Our locking system makes floating installations very easy.

Shipping

How much does shipping cost?

Everything on our site ships for free.

How long does shipping take?

Samples arrive within 3-5 days and flooring arrives within 5-8 days. On flooring orders, the freight carrier will call you a few days prior to set up a delivery day and time. Tracking numbers on all flooring orders reflect the date at which your flooring arrives at the local freight carriers terminal, not your home. Expect another 1-3 business days for it to be delivered to your home. When/if a floor is sold out here in the US, average lead times from Sweden is 6-8 weeks. 

What should I expect when my floor shows up? 

Our floors are packed, palletized on 8' long pallets and shipped LTL (private freight carrier Less-Than-a-Truckload). The freight company will call you to schedule a weekday delivery appointment which is typically a 4-hour window. When your order arrives, it will be delivered curbside. Fairly often the driver can get the pallet off of the truck and wheel it into a garage. If there is a large lip in the garage or other obstacles between the curb and your home, the pallet will need to be unloaded by hand. Please plan accordingly. It's highly recommended to have a few people there in the event your flooring needs to be carried inside. 

If all of this sounds like a lot, we recommend using the app TaskRabbit to hire a local person to unload the flooring for you. We've found this to be a great solution for clients. It costs anywhere from $40/70/hr while being totally hassle free. Unloading typically takes about an hour. Just be sure that the person you hire is there when the truck arrives.  

What if my floor arrives and it's damaged?

Our goal is to ensure that your floor arrives in perfect condition. Our flooring is packed in cartons wrapped with both cardboard and plastic to weather the wear and tear of shipping. But we understand that sometimes accidents can happen. We ask that all customers check their delivery upon arrival and document any damage. Documenting damage is critically important, so please make note of the damage when signing the paperwork for your shipment and take photos of the damaged goods. Please report this damage within 24 hrs to hej@stugastudio.com. All damage claims are void if not reported to us within 3 business days of delivery. 

Warranty

What is the warranty on your floors?

Nearly all of our floors carry a lifetime structural warranty and a 25-year wear through warranty, with the exception of our Budget Floors which carry a lifetime structural warranty and a 15-year wear through warranty. You can read our full warranty here.  

Can I return goods?

For our most up-to-date Return Policy click here. 

Floor Care & Maintenance

What's the best way to take care of my floor?

Live like the Swedes and don't wear your shoes in the house! Seriously, this keeps your floors looking like new and also makes cleaning much easier. When you do need to clean, dry cleaning is the best way. Vacuum regularly and occasionally use a damp, well-wrung-out cloth/mop, like the one in our Floor Care Kit. Only dampen the floor slightly. The film of water left by the mop pad must dry within a minute. For best results, use Kährs Spray Cleaner every few months or so. 

I have kids and a dog. How will your floors perform?

Nearly all wood floors will scratch and dent. Be wary of companies that market incredible resilience against wear and tear. Unscratchable finishes often have loads of harsh chemicals in them, which make them unhealthy and nearly impossible to refinish. In normal family conditions, our floors will perform wonderfully. On the other hand, if you throw the ball in your house with your 100lb German Shephard then you will see scratches. We advise clients with heavy wear and tear households to choose rustic floors since they hide scratches better, especially floors in our Gray Collection. Light floors do show more dirt than dark floors so be aware of that when deciding on your floor. Our oiled floors can be re-oiled and refurbished, which helps them age well. Our UV Acrylic finishes can easily be recoated since they are solvent-free, another wonderful benefit.

Can your floors be sanded?

Yes! Nearly all of our floors can be sanded with the exception of most of our Budget Floors. The Budget Floors that can be sanded are Reef and Trench Oak. Keep in mind this is something that is rarely done unless you wish to change the color of your floor. Our floors can easily be recoated or re-oiled if you're looking to remove scratches.

What's the benefit of an oiled finish and is it a lot of maintenance?

Our clients like our oiled floors because the detailed texture of the wood can be experienced in a closer way than traditional top-coat finishes. You can really "feel" the wood. Furthermore, they can be renovated if the floor is looking dirty or needs refreshing. These floors do require an initial application of oil immediately after installation and once a year in high traffic areas like a kitchen or entry. Once applied, the oil typically takes about 12 hours to dry and a total of 24 hrs to fully cure. You can walk on the floor once the oil has dried. Applying the oil annually ensures the floor is protected from wear and tear since weekly or monthly cleaning can break the oil down. The oil can be applied with our Floor Care Kit.