Read the “Installation Guide” and the “Warranty” carefully before installing the product.

All installed strips will be considered as accepted by the installer and/or homeowner.

Upon ordering always add 5 % of the total quantity order in square feet.

Always make sure that all the plastering, cement work and painting are completed and well dried. Also, that the heating system and/or conditioning system has been operational for 5 days prior to the acclimatization period of the wood.

It’s essential to acclimatize the wood for a minimum of 48 hours at a normal relative humidity (40 to 50%).

The sub-floor should be well installed and leveled. Verify the humidity level. As per NWFA (for wide-width solid flooring (2’or wider), there should be no more than 2 % difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and sub-flooring materials.

Remove all baseboards and doorsills.

Install MONT-ROYAL HARDWOOD strips using the following tools and accessories.

• measuring tape
• square
• chalk line
• hammer
• nail punch
• pry bar
• touch up pencil
• manual or air-driven hardwood hammer
• rubber mallet
• miter saw
• handsaw
• electric drill with a 3/32” (2mm) bit
• flooring nails
• finishing nails
• broom
• vacuum cleaner
• stapler
• protective eyewear

To avoid damage to the finish, pre-finished hardwood flooring must be handled more carefully during installation than traditional parquet.

If you must move heavy pieces of furniture (refrigerator, piano, love seat) never slide them directly on the flooring. Instead place a piece of carpet face down between the furniture legs and the flooring and pull on the carpet to move the furniture. You will prevent damaging your flooring by doing so.

Empty cardboard boxes can protect your flooring throughout the installation.

The humidity level of a house can fluctuate considerably if left uncontrolled. Changes in relative humidity indoors cause flooring strips to expand and contract. Extreme changes may damage flooring. To safeguard your investment and enjoy your flooring for years to come, maintain the humidity between (40 to 50%).

The flooring manufacturer Mont-Royal Hardwoods guarantees the original purchaser that the finish, namely the total thickness of urethane applied to its products manufactured after September 15th 2004, will withstand total wear and flaking of the surface in the course of normal household use for a period of twenty-five (25) years following the date of purchase. The “wear-guard” finish is also warranted against premature deterioration of shine in high-traffic areas and is designed to resist friction caused by footsteps over many years without showing traces of significant wear, at the condition that no abrasive (salt, sand, glass or other) were present on the surface and the floor was maintained regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. See the section on “Maintenance and Preservation” guideline.

Under the terms of the present warranty, the responsibility of Mont-Royal Hardwoods is limited to any of the following options, at the discretion of the company and excluding any other form of compensation:

1. To supply the material to replace the defective boards.
   
   
2. To supply the material and labor to resurface the flooring in the room where the urethane is completely worn through.
3. To compensate for damages equivalent to the purchase cost of the defective boards.

In the case of a claim, the claimant shall be liable to the prior payment to Mont-Royal Hardwoods of a franchise equivalent to 1/420 of cost incurred by Mont-Royal Hardwoods to provide the corrective measures stipulated above. The said franchise shall be calculated by multiplying the number of months that have passed from the date of purchase of the product by the claimant to the date of the claim.

Mont-Royal Hardwoods disclaims all responsibility under the terms of the warranty and will pay no compensation.

1. For damage other than that listed previously in the “Obligations of Mont-Royal Hardwoods” section, including, without limitation, loss of use of space, moving cost, hotel expenses, loss of time and/or goods.
   
   
2. When the products is installed in a basement, on a concrete floor and/or in a room equipped with radiant heating.
   
   
3. If no manufacturing defect as affected the product.
   
   
4. If the defect affecting the product result from inadequate storage transportation, poor preparation of the surface to be covered and/or installation failing to comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
   
   
5. If the products have been use and/or installed for purposes other than residential use. It is understood, without limitation, that rooms used for private home day care shall not be considered as being used for residential purposes.
   
   
6. In the absence of sufficient proof that maintenance instructions recommended by Hardwoods Mont-Royal have been followed.
   
   
7. When damage has been caused in whole and/or in part by improper use, abrasive substances (salt, sand, glass and/or other), fallen and scraping objects, the movement of furniture with and/or without casters, high-heeled shoes, repeated striking and/or scratching of objects and/or any use other than normal residential use.
   
   
8. If damage has been caused in whole and/or in part by a change in the humidity of the wood caused by a flood, excessive heating and/or lack thereof.
   
   
9. For repairs carried out without the prior written consent of  Mont-Royal Hardwoods.
   
   
10. For the replacement of boards that were defective prior to installation.
    
    
11. For any product discoloration.
    
    
12. For any alteration to the product other that the premature loss of shine and total wear of the finish.
    
    
13. For shipping and/or transportation costs.
    
    
14. In the absence of proof provided by the customer of the date of purchase of the Mont-Royal Hardwoods product.
    
    

Mont-Royal Hardwoods wood products are made from natural material. It is normal that 5% of the quality of the wood purchase not be used, as it is normal for the wood to change color exposed to sunlight. Discoloration may also occur in areas where the flooring is covered by carpets, rugs and/or any other objects placed in the same location for long periods of time.

The present warranty is governed by the laws of the province of Ontario excepting the rules governing conflict of laws and any other law.

For the duration of the warranty and prior to any alteration of the flooring, the purchaser must file a complaint, accompanied by a copy of the purchase. In the event of failure to reach an agreement with the retailer, please send a copy of the aforementioned document within the same day specified to:

Mont-Royal Hardwoods
219 Industriel Boul.
Châteauguay,Qc J6J 4Z2

Maintenance and preservation guidelines

Close compliance with these maintenance and preservation guidelines is a determining factor on warranty application.

• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove without delay all abrasive substances (sand, sliver of glass, crystal, cutting, etc.) that could scratch the finish. Frequent vacuuming is recommended to eliminate abrasive dust accumulating on the surface and between the boards.
  
  
• Maintain relative humidity between 40% and 50% and an ambient   temperature of 20 degree Celcius in the home in order to stabilize the internal humidity if the wood.(See the  Mont-Royal Hardwoods Installation & Maintenance Guide).
  
  
• Clean using specially adapted prefinished flooring maintenance kit. Vaporise a small quantity of cleaner on a clean cloth or the mop and wipe the surface. Note that only small amounts of liquid are required. Wash the mop cover or cloth as required. Cleaning the surface once a month is a minimal maintenance condition.
  
  
• Never use wax, household detergent or oil-based soap on the floor. These products may damage the finish and leave a greasy film, making the floor slippery and difficult to maintain afterwards, mixture of water and vinegar are not recommended for cleaning flooring, since vinegar as an oxidizing effect on urethane over a long period of time.
  
  
• Water is one of the worst enemies of wood. Wipe up spilled water, liquids or detergents before they are absorbed by the wood fibers. The combined effect of water and sand is devastating to flooring. This is why it is important to place floor mats at each doorway and in high traffic areas in the kitchen and in the front of the sink, dishwasher and work areas.
  
  
• Glue felt pads to the legs of furniture and chair to avoid scratching the flooring when objects are moved. Periodically examine the pads for wear end replace when needed. Avoid rolling chairs with casters on the finished surface. Roll them on carpets or chair mats only.
  
  
• Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes on hardwood floors as they can mar the surface. Heel surfaces are so small that the pressure exerted can easily reach 3,500 pounds per square inch. Damaged heels can mar flooring even more. Avoid walking on flooring in footwear with nail or metal-tipped soles.
  
  
• Do not drag furniture or heavy objects across the finished surface. Lift any furniture to be moved.
  
  
• Protect wood surfaces from sunlight or any source of bright artificial light. Prolonged or repeated exposure to bright light will change the color of wood, even if surfaces are coated with one of the most yellowing-resistant finishes on the market. Such color changes are natural phenomenon. Moreover, changes in color to light wood are even more apparent than changes to dark wood.
  
  
• Small scratches are easy to cover with the touch-up kit, which may be purchased from the dealer. First clean the damaged area. Then rub the surface with the wax crayon corresponding to the color of the wood. Seal the repaired area with a thin coat of urethane. It is important to seal any unprotected area of wood.
  

Your Mont-Royal Hardwoods dealer will be pleased to answer any additional questions you may have.

The customer must foresee an additional 4 to 6 % (depending on the type of installation) of hardwood boards when ordering material to compensate for looses incurred when boards are cut to fit.

Mont-Royal Hardwoods boards are made of hardwood a natural material that may present certain imperfections. Mont-Royal Hardwoods products are subject to rigorous standards of quality and comply with those in effect in the flooring industry. Mont-Royal Hardwoods employees carry out quality control checks and do everything that is humanly possible to ensure that boards offered for sale are free from manufacturing defects. Boards are selected methodically and those that do not correspond to the grade under selection are discarded. In the wood flooring industry, any defect rated of 5% and less of the quantity of  boards purchased is considered normal. The rated includes both natural flaws and manufacturing defects.

The installer and/or owner must make sure that the work site and subfloor comply with condition specified in the Mont-Royal Hardwoods Installation and Maintenance guide. It is the installer and/or owner’s responsibility to inspect Mont-Royal Hardwoods brand flooring boards prior to their installation. The installer and/or owner must check board grade, quality and finish.

If the installer is in doubt as to grade, quality or finish of a board and is unable to install it in an inconspicuous location or eliminate the flaw, then the board should be discarded. Once the board has been nailed down, it is deemed to have been accepted by the installer and/or owner. Mont-Royal Hardwoods will only replace defective boards in excess of 5% acceptable loss (excluding 4 to 6% margin for loss due to cutting). Mont-Royal Hardwoods will not cover any costs associated with labor or installation.