- PRODUCTION
How do they come to us, where do they come from, and how are the woods treated until the beginning of wood flooring production?
– The wood for the production of ES wood floors comes from Africa, Brazil and USA. Due to environmental issues and European Community impositions, all wood comes from controlled and legal harvests and is provided with all the necessary Certificates, Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, etc.
All woods arrive already sawn in boards with standard measures for the production of the various widths and thicknesses of floors. Also for environmental reasons and for reasons of product cost, it is not possible to buy only woods with “large” lengths, but we also have to buy shorter woods, due to the maximum use of the trees that are harvested.
How does the process of wood staging and moisture control take place, before and after the drying process until the wood is processed?
– The woods received from Africa and Brazil arrive to us ” undrying “, so these woods are placed in external park during a certain period to lose moisture gradually and when this cycle is finished, they are placed in kilns to be submitted to the ideal drying for the production of ES. After the drying process, the wood is left to cool inside the kilns and then removed to a stage/ambientation warehouse until it reaches the moisture stability/balance. The wood from the USA already arrives dry (KD), so with this whole cycle already complete.
How does the wood selection process take place after wood has been manufactured and before varnishing?
– After drying and with moisture stability reached, the wood enters a process of surface-4-sides (S4S), allowing this process to detect some defects in the boards and select the best face when the wood is being manufactured and profiled.
When the S4S is made, the woods are immediately separated and those that have some defects follow for length optimization, i.e. each ruler will be optimized in several defect free lengths. Once these processes are finished, the woods go to the mouldmakers and topmakers, where the tongue and groove on the sides and ends are made. Also in this process, the pieces that present defects and need to be optimized again are immediately removed.
When are the woods ready to go to the varnishing line?
-They are considered ready to enter the varnishing line after the entire smoothing, profiling, optimization process has been completed, and after being separated in the various lengths.
What are the main characteristics of varnishing and products that are applied to the floor?
– ES floors are produced in an innovative varnishing process that uses the most recent techniques developed in this sector.
The wood comes into line, where it is initially calibrated on the upper and lower sides, and then receives all the finishing/varnishing products.
What are the finishes?
– By tendency of the markets where we operate, the percentages of gloss in ES are at 20%, however we can put another finish with more or less gloss, depending on the request of the client. The finishing can also be done at
oil, or “Natura” varnish with an oil finish look, and it is also possible to give various colours chosen and selected by the customer.
What is the selection and choice of the floor before it is packed?
– ES, when it comes off the varnishing line and is placed in the packaging, is properly supervised to detect any defect/imperfection in the final product. It is a complex and difficult process and, as such, it may eventually happen that some part may have small defects, sometimes only detected from certain angles or in a very approximate view. In these situations, when detected during the application, it should not be used or, alternatively, it should be used in a less visible area or be used for a cut or a finish.
PACKAGING:
Why Randon Lenghts, quantities per box and approximate average length per box?
– ES is packed in Recycled Boxes and without any product harmful to the environment. Inside the boxes are printed all instructions to be followed for a correct application. These boxes can be used to place on the wood floor already applied to protect it while the application process is in progress.
The ES is packed in “Randon Lenghts”. Each box consists of one piece of the maximum length described in each thickness and then the box are completed by several pieces that make up the maximum length.The average length of the boxes is defined by each thickness and does not obey percentages for each length, there are lengths that start from the minimum described, until the maximum described.
- COMMERCIAL ASPECTS RELATED TO THE EXOTIC SKINS PRODUCT
The advantages of buying a Varnished product:
– The advantages of using already varnished flooring over raw flooring for finishing on site are huge, however we highlight only a few:
- The products finished in the varnishing line have a unique resistance, as well as a perfection of finish impossible to make on site.
- We apply products with characteristics of resistance that are not possible to apply on site, in the finishing line we use 7 different products with distinct characteristics and functions.
- The floor has a micro bevel, which aesthetically allows you to see that it is a solid floor and not an imitation, or to give the idea of a varnished wooden compact board.
- It allows at any time a repair or replacement of a part that has suffered some “accident” without interfering with other parts. With varnishing ” bonded ” as the flooring is varnished on site, this is not possible without requiring greater varnishing intervention, time and labour.
- ES, as it is a finished product, allows and is recommended to be applied right at the end of the work, allowing the process to take place in a short period of time, without dirt and time constraints, allowing the space where it has been placed to be inhabited and used almost immediately (time required only for the glue to dry)
- There is no need to spend money for the wood floor 3 or 4 months before the work is handed over, just 1 or 2 weeks before that.
Usual product range and species?
– Our current range is 3 African species (Afzelia; Wenge; Kambala Iroko); 6 Brazilian species (Sucupira; Jatoba; Muiracatiara; Ipe; Tauari and Cumaru); and 3 North American species (Walnut; Pine and Oak) 2 European species (Oak and Riga Nova)
Alternative species?
– It is also possible to produce and supply other species such as: Beech; Ash; Maple, etc. All these species and delivery times are under request.
What are the specifications for each thickness?
-Each thickness has specifications of widths and lengths adjusted. This information can be found on our website and are the following:
- Thickness: 8mm Width: 80mm Lengths: from 250mm to 1400mm
- Thickness: 14mm Width: 90mm and 120mm Lengths: from 250mm to 1500mm
- Thickness: 19mm Widths: 76/120 and 140mm Lengths: 250mm to 2250mm
Not all species are produced in the various widths and thicknesses, so we advise you to consult our website or our catalogue.
Why the different tonalities in the floors?
– Wood, as it is a natural product, no piece is the same as another, either in tone, vein design or grain, so it is not possible to supply flooring entirely uniform. The wood is taken from several trees and even wood taken from the same tree is not always the same, with differences depending on whether it was taken more from the base of the tree or more above, from parts that were more or less exposed to the sun, etc.
– In the installation it is recommended to make a selection of the pieces taking into account the similarity between them and to make a distribution taking into account personal taste.
Why the different lengths?
– As mentioned at the beginning, for environmental and cost reasons of the wood floor product, each harvested tree should be used to the maximum, so in addition to long timber, the market should also be aware and accept the shorter timber. Also as already mentioned, during the manufacturing process, many boards that were initially long, became several short to eliminate defects, so all lengths should be considered.
They are not leftovers, the shorter wood was the result of a more refined selection, so small boards are the result of a responsible process of preservation of means and costs. Furthermore, the pieces with smaller dimensions are much more stable and easy to apply than the larger pieces.
Are there 1st and 2nd quality woods?
– No. All wood is 1st quality. There may be several singularities of wood that can be understood as not being a 1st quality product, but this is a false understanding, because all singularities, knots, more misaligned veins, etc, are not defects. When we refer to “defects” we should only consider manufacturing anomalies or cracks that are not considered within the existing standards for this product.
Why not provide unique lengths?
– Unique lengths, even if short, require a quantity production far in excess of the requested quantities. This is caused by the elimination and cutting of wood during the production process, and for large quantities, it is sometimes difficult to obtain sufficient stock of raw material to meet the request, in addition to having a higher cost.
Why not advise wide flooring in certain thicknesses, i.e. the balance between thickness and width?
– When a floor is too wide, if it does not have a thickness that guarantees a balance, it can lead to “cupping” on the boards. We therefore only recommend the widths described in our catalogue for each thickness.
Why this floor is not suitable for “aligned joints”?
– The “Aligned Joint” effect is only achieved if there are only one or two lengths unique, and this is not the case in ES, which has different lengths.
What are the hygrometric characteristics and the use of Exotic Skins on radiant heating?
– ES leaves the factory controlled with a moisture content of 8% (+/-2%) so it has a moisture that is suitable to be applied on underfloor heating. Simply follow all the instructions from the manufacturer of the heating and also follow all the recommendations on our website and catalogs.
What kind of wood and thickness is best for underfloor heating?
– Any species is advisable, or rather, it should not be inadvisable. The most dense can be more “resistant” to the transfer of heating and as such the heat takes longer to manifest itself in the environment, but they are also more advantageous because in a situation of turning off the heating, or reducing its operation, they also take longer to lose the accumulated heat keeping a warm environment for longer. The same can be applied to thickness, the thicker the floor, the longer it takes to heat up, but it also takes longer to cool down.
- SUPPLIES
Deadlines and availability?
– For various reasons, we usually do not have ES wood floors in final stock, so they go to production after being ordered by customers. Usually this process is guaranteed in about three weeks, if at the time of order, is confirmed by production that has wood available for immediate production.
In case of raw material out of stocks, or if the wood is still not dry, the delivery time can be longer, but at the time of the order the customer is informed immediately of this situation and the expected delivery date.
Also due to environmental issues and contingencies in the domestic and foreign markets, sometimes the wood takes longer to reach us, which may lead to the out of stocks in some species or dimensions. We advise and request always check before placing the order.
EC MARKING
What is the CE marking?
– The ‘CE marking’ is represented by the CE symbol, the stamping of which has to follow certain rules, in accordance with a given design. The initials “CE” are the abbreviation of the French name Conformité Européene meaning European Conformity.
– CE marking indicates the conformity of a product with the requirements established in EU “New Approach” directives. The materials covered by the following Directives must bear the CE marking if they are to be marketed in the European Community countries.
– The CE marking is evidence given by the manufacturer that the products comply with with the requirements set by Community “New Approach” directives, allowing them to move freely within the European Economic Area (EEA). The procedures for assessing the conformity of products with the standards of directives aim to ensure that products placed on the market comply with the requirements expressed in directives, in particular as regards the health and safety of users and consumers.
– This conformity is not only in relation to the essential obligations
laid down in the directives, but also in relation to any specific obligations laid down in the directives. The CE marking on industrial products shall certify that they comply with all the regulatory provisions of the European Union.
- ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTALLATION
On-site storage before application
– The storage place should be checked for moisture.
The boxes must not be placed directly on the ground, but above beam heights of at least 80 mm. Care should be taken that the place is not damp and does not suffer great variations in temperature and air displacement.
Ambiencing and stabilisation
– When the application is to start, the boxes must be placed inside the rooms where they will be applied and must be opened.
Balance moisture control
– The moisture balance should be controlled daily in the wood that is already with the boxes open in each room. After the first hygrometric measurement of the wood, successive measurements should be made on the following days until the point is reached where the hygrometric measurement has not changed on at least 2 days in a row. At that point the balance has been achieved and you can start the application.
Site condition
– Before installing the ES, make sure that the construction conditions are ideal and advisable for the application. Consult the recommendations on our website or catalogue and respect the CE marking standards.
Measurement of concrete screeds and atmosphere.
– These measurements are also part of the construction condition and can also be checked on our website or catalogue. Gluing should only be carried out if the screed has a moisture content of less than 3%.
Waterproofing Systems
– Na anti-humidity barrier should be applied whenever there is a possibility of moisture migrating from the sub-floor to the floor.
Leveling systems and insulation of screeds?
– This system is advisable if the screeds are not in the right condition.
Maintenance, treatment and preservation systems?
– There are products developed and suitable for these situations and that guarantee a greater durability of the floors, so 7ifer recommended to use them.
- STATEMENTS
Dimensional d7iferences detected in widths during application and after application?
The difference in dimensions in the width of floors has already been noted in some works.
– This “problem” happened in the species Sucupira and has the following explanation:
When the wood is manufactured, it comes out with the same dimensions, thickness and width, and there is no possibility of pieces with different thicknesses and widths coming out. When storing and setting, due to the characteristics of the fibres of each piece, some may gain or lose thickness and/or width. These differences are sometimes less than 1 millimetre, but it is noted that they are unequal and generally connotes this “event” to a bad manufacture. It is not true, it is just a natural effect of a natural product. We advise that if boards with very visible differences are detected, you should not use these boards or use for cutting or finishing.
Generally these differences disappear after some time after the inhabited room, motivated by the constant ambiance of the room and as a consequence of the adjustment of the wood itself.
Cupping?
-We also noticed in the 14x120mm Sucupira species a slight cupping.
This effect can be caused by the glue used, if it was water-based glue, which we never advise, or because ambient moisture has entered the place, which has been absorbed by the wood and which, in turn, has concentrated in the center of the board which causes a slight cupping.
Normally this effect disappears if the room is heated and dehumidified, causing the moisture that has gathered in the centre of the piece to be removed and forcing the board to return to its normal state.
- SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Generalist Information http://www.ribadao.com
http://www.enterpriseeuropenetwork.pt/info/mercadounico/Paginas/marcacaoce.asx
